Tag Archives: journalism

Semantic Whiplash: When Words Change Faster Than Meaning

Posted on January 18, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Language evolves—but not at the speed of a viral trend. I’m inventing a phrase for the very thing I’d like to un-invent: semantic whiplash, when words are reassigned overnight and everyone pretends that’s progress. Continue reading →

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A Better Question Than the One We Were Asked

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Today’s question—“In what ways do you communicate online?”—isn’t wrong, but it’s thin. Before answering it, I stopped to think about what makes a question worth answering at all. Sometimes the most meaningful response is to rewrite the question first. Continue reading →

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My Long, Winding, Occasionally Uninvited College Tour

Posted on January 3, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I attended college the hard way — with false starts, one official uninvitation, a detour through the U.S. Air Force, and a community college class that accidentally changed my life. It turns out learning sticks better when you’re finally ready to show up. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Sunday, December 28, 2025: Facts Lead to Truth

Posted on December 28, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Read John 8:21-32 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”John 8:31-32 Reflect In … Continue reading →

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Why English Was My Favorite Subject in School (and Why It Still Matters Today)

Posted on November 7, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

I was never the kid who loved math or science—but give me a book and a blank page and I felt at home. Now, as an English and journalism teacher, I’m convinced more than ever that reading and writing aren’t just subjects in school—they’re the foundation of thinking, communicating, and leading. Here’s why the written word still matters. Continue reading →

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The Long Road of Alternatives

Posted on October 24, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Sometimes, the path that feels like an “alternative” ends up becoming the main road. Mine just took a lot of turns to get here. Continue reading →

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What Writing Gives Me That Nothing Else Can

Posted on August 18, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

From childhood plays to newsroom deadlines, writing has always been at the heart of my life. It’s how I find clarity, share stories, and connect with others—the one gift I couldn’t imagine living without. Continue reading →

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Where My Authority Comes From

Posted on July 4, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Question: On what subject(s) are you an authority? When people ask where my authority comes from, I don’t point to just one thing. For me, it’s a mix of real-world experience, education, and the ups and downs of life that have … Continue reading →

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Marvin DeBolt: A Celebration of a Life Lived Large

Posted on January 25, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

My father, Marvin DeBolt, passed away last month at the age of 84. I was asked to write his obituary, and I went all-out to write something complete, which meant (at least to me) contacting some of his former employees … Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Saturday, December 28, 2024: Facts Lead to Truth

Posted on December 28, 2024 by Douglas Blaine

Read John 8:21-32 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”John 8:31-32 Reflect In … Continue reading →

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