Monday, August 14, 2006

The Net is making use of the 650,000 user records that AOL leaked, and then tried (hah!) to retrieve from the public. It's interesting to read the stories that come out in these search records. There's the woman who searches for "curb morning sickness" and "foods to eat while pregnant"; then, later, "you're pregnant he doesn't want the baby" followed by "can christians be forgiven for abortion." Then "abortion clinics charlotte nc" and "high risk abortions." Then not another word about pregnancy or abortion.

It's amazing how a few artless words convey so much sadness.

And, in between, there are all the other searches -- for "yoga and christianity" and cuisine tips -- that remind you that life is going on while the story is unfolding.

It's always useful to check out how stories come through in other media. This is a strange and unintentional medium, but still, you can put together the stories if you're willing to sift a bit.

What techniques can you pull out of this? A few offhand words in a screenplay can convey a whole world of character. Instead of having someone talk about his "wife," have him talk about his "second wife." Don't make a big thing out of it -- just let us know there's more story there. (And when the network executive says, "I want to know more about his second wife," just say, "Good!")

You can check out and search through the user records at Splunkd.

Boy, I'm glad I don't use AOL.

3:39 PM

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