Patrick's Place

Even in a newsroom, corporate-speak creeps into the picture. When I’ve checked my emails, I’ve encountered various examples that just scream vagueness. I wonder what the appeal is. I suppose it’s similar to people who like to use nonsense like “conversate” instead of converse or even just talk: they want to sound more educated than they actually are. But both accomplish the same thing: They make you sound less educated.

Back in May, Meta announced that Facebook users could pay for a “better version” of itself. “Facebook Plus” appeared along with “Instagram Plus” and “WhatsApp Plus,” as if there weren’t enough plusses out there already. I just had an upsell popup appear when I logged into my Facebook account. So I thought I’d give Facebook’s subscription service a look — at least from the outside for now — to consider whether it’s even worth a serious thought. First things first.

When I moved to the Buckeye State, I never thought I’d be moving out of it after just five months. But the company I worked for and its financial planners had different ideas, apparently. Early last month, I learned my job — and that of all but one member of my team — were being eliminated. So, it’s time to think of the next destination. I have to tell you: I’m very fortunate. I feel very blessed.

The keepers of the calendars saw fit to pack the month with plenty of observances and celebrations. You can celebrate everything from disaster readiness to fried chicken! So let’s look at just 10 September causes you could take part in if you choose. This one makes a lot of sense. September, after all, marks the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. So while I hope you’ve already prepared for tropical weather if you live on the coast, this is a great month to really make a plan.

I told you early last month that I learned my job was being eliminated. I made it without seeing my job cut for 35 years in this crazy business. But when writing about the subject, you have to know the right time for lay off or layoff. There’s a difference between the two terms. It’s very simple, but it’s one of those curious quirks in English. Sometimes it’s the simple things that cause the most confusion. Then once you settle that argument, you have to face a second round of confusion.

If you hate what Elon Musk’s X did to the old Twitter, there may be good news. A startup called Operation Bluebird is offering an interesting premise. Former Twitter general counsel Stephen Coates launched an early access platform called Twitter.now. Coates promises Twitter.now to be a new “public square” focused on trust rather than a direct recreation of the original Twitter experience. The idea behind this version of Twitter, though, bypasses advertisers.

When Dolly Parton died at age 80, news of her passing came quickly. She was one of those celebrities who struck such a chord in our society that nearly everyone felt the loss. You didn’t have to be a fan of country music. You didn’t need to be a fan of her acting. And you didn’t even need to be a parent whose child received her books as part of her literacy program. The cumulative effect of her celebrity and her philanthropy seemed to be just enough.

What got headlines this week in an announced Meta settlement was the cash amount the social media giant agreed to pay. But if you’re a parent or guardian, there are other details in the Meta settlement that matter more. The question is, are the proposed changes Meta proposes enough? Four states — California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey — led a broader coalition of states in a lawsuit against Meta. Meta, of course, owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads.

We learned this month that the United States’ national debt reached the $40 trillion mark. That, by the way, is the way AP Style instructs writers to treat a number like 40 trillion. But their style guide, The Associated Press Stylebook, gets a little specific with its number abbreviation rules. For the most part, unless you’re talking about ages or measurements, AP Style suggests you always spell out numbers under 10.

Instagram is giving you more control over what you see. They’re also rolling out a way to share disappearing media with your closest friends and followers. Here are the two newest Instagram features you need to know about. The first, called “Instants,” has a decidedly Snapchat feel about it, with a big difference. Instants allows you to snap a photo, send it to friends or your “Close Friends” list only. Once they view it, the picture disappears.