Obits - Social Media Could Be Changing the Weighty Matter of Who Matters

 Politico's article on the flight of obit writers from The Washington Post set off deep reflection on the weighty matter of prestige and power. That is, featuring in long long form in that publication and more those who had died. The more includes The Economist, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. 

On LinkedIn, executive communications pro Neil Hrab was among those who looped in and asked what I thought. 

Well, here is where I think we are. The exits of WaPo official obit writers could signal yet another sweeping change in the media landscape. That is, the phasing out of the long-form obits. 

No longer would journalists be officially assigned as obit creators. And those other journalists at brandname publications wouldn't venture into that territory in fear of alienating some sources with the candor required for a legit obit. The first line of a solid obit could kick off with the negative of the deceased having needed a turnaround or finally experiencing one after a very slow start in a career in law or finance. 

It could come to pass that those who matter will no longer matter after their death. At least not with any of those old-line rituals. Instead those who wish to salute them - or pillage them - would do that on social media. We Are All Obit Creators.

Already that's happening.

I recognized the humanity of former client Janilee Johnson, who I had worked with at Verizon, on LinkedIn. The response was huge. Her family did that on Facebook. She mattered to me. And to her family. Substack is also an ideal platform for celebrating a legacy. Or expressing a good riddance. If "The View" doesn't return after its hiatus I will labor at such a sarcastic good-bye on my Substack column. 

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