memeorandum - Headline News and Related Blogs - memeorandum presents a distinctly readable and relevant hourly synopsis of the latest online news and opinion, combining weblog commentary with traditional news reports. Weblogs (or blogs) are crucial for making memeorandum possible. Weblogs are online publications (usually arranged in a journal format) produced by small groups or individuals (bloggers), normally without the guidance — and interference — of editors. This freedom empowers bloggers to publish their immediate reactions to news and events, allowing memeorandum to capture these reactions within minutes. The common practice among bloggers of linking liberally in postings is key to helping memeorandum determine when two disparate writings share a common theme.

Headlines: memeorandum organizes commentary around headlines drawn from both traditional print/online publications (e.g. Washington Post) and web-only sources (e.g. SpinSanity). No attempt is made to separate so-called “straight news” from op-ed, editorial, or other pieces that disclaim objectivity. Any judgment of fairness is left solely to the reader.

Articles are ordered by one of two ranking methods: most relevant first (the default ranking), and newest first. These are explained in more detail here.

Balance: although efforts were made to include voices on both sides of the (mainly “Anglosphere”) political spectrum, the resulting balance will inevitably leave many hoping for something different. But of course, the same is true for most other publications.

Breadth: memeorandum quotes some — but not most — weblogs and other publications, emphasizing the influential and popular. From an editorial point a view, this approach has both an upside and downside. The advantages are clearer from a technical viewpoint, as computing resources and manpower are limited. In any case, expect the roster of quoted publications to grow and evolve over the time.

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