Profnets of the Week

by admin ~ August 29, 2008

It’s time again to take a look at some of the strange/interesting/culturally spot-on stories being written about this week - thanks to Profnet, a service that sends us journalist queries and calls for sources dozens of times throughout the day. Enjoy!

Good question!

FITNESS: Why Can’t Tall People Excel in Gymnastics? — Freelancer

Why can’t tall people excel in gymnastics? The one rare exception was the high-bar specialist from France for the current Olympics. I need a qualified expert to explain why very short stature is required for elite abilities, since body-segment relations are the same, regardless of overall height. This is for an article I’m writing on spec for fitness magazines. E-mail correspondence only, please. Contact: XXXXX, XXX@wmconnect.com

I agree:

MANAGEMENT: Casual Fridays: Why Bother? — Freelancer
I’m looking for companies that offer a new take on casual Fridays at work. What do they do that’s different? Or, have casual Fridays simply disappeared? Have companies legislated them out of existence, or just decided they don’t matter to their employees? Are we so casual at work anyway today that casual Fridays seem like a throwback to more buttoned-downed times? I’m happy to speak with HR professionals, workplace experts and anyone who has worked or works at an organization that offers casual Friday as a perk — and has strong opinions on it either way. This column is for a major Canadian daily, so I’m always looking for Canadian sources, but U.S. sources are welcome to respond. Interviews will be conducted Friday, Aug. 29, and Tuesday, Sept. 2. Contact: XXXX, XXXX@vermond.ca

Wow, 40 years!

WORKPLACE: Cubicles — Athens Banner-Herald (GA)

We’re writing a piece to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the cubicle. I’m looking to talk to psychologists who can discuss the ramifications of spending eight hours a day in a gray box. Also, how does cube life impact our co-workers’ notions of privacy? Are they more or less likely to disturb you when you’re working on an important spreadsheet if you sit in a cubicle? Any other cubicle experts should feel free to chime in, too. Contact: XXX, XXXX@onlineathens.com

Good times:

COOKING: Thanksgiving Cooking Goofs — Cloaked

A journalist with a national woman’s magazine is seeking an expert to comment on how to dodge the most common thanksgiving cooking goofs or how to salvage the goof once it has been committed. [This reporter has asked us to withhold her name and contact information and to direct all responses to her ProfNet inbox.]