Newspaper industry's next trick: Fake words

The newspaper industry has been hit hard by the weak economy. Advertising revenue is down. Layoffs are frequent. And even the most-trusted papers are facing possible closure. So, the industry has tried to find unique ways to help improve business.

Perhaps that's why it shouldn't surprise us that The New York Post announced Monday that it has inked a deal with SpectrumDNA to bring the company's Addictionary software-as-a-service platform to the newspaper's Web site.

Addictionary allows Web site visitors to create words and assign definitions to those words. People can rate and comment on words created by others.

According to a statement, both SpectrumDNA and the Post believe the Addictionary engine will help the newspaper achieve more "viral and word-of-mouth distribution." They also said they believe it could increase advertising revenue.

A definition made possible by Addictionary.

(Credit: Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET)

The Addictionary platform has enjoyed some success. Its SaaS platform is currently being used by "The Office" Web page, Comedy Central, and Dictionary.com.

Once The New York Post's Addictionary gets going, the companies plan to release a variety of derivative products, including greeting cards, calendars, games, and books featuring the top-rated words created by the Post's community.

Is Addictionary the Trojan horse the newspaper industry has needed? We'll find out in August when the Post deploys the new feature.

[Argyll]

How wonderful! Most people don't seem to have a basic understanding of English words in the first place and now we're going to go and create our words - and then people can vote on them?

It's no wonder that Western society is circling the toilet bowl.

[pcampagna]

"Stupidideas"- the act of adding stupid things to things.

[dratsablive]

Has anyone else heard of Urbandictionary.com?

[katjohann]

haha that's exactly what I thought when I saw the third line. Duh? Here's a thought, how about better reporting? Hey! Do you think it would fly??

[R_Parson]

No. This nothing more than those silly sniglets, which were popular in the 1980s. But now it's a silly, stupid "social platform." Nothing more significant than those silly games on Facebook.

[JoshMiller79]

Ugh, I don't know or get what "Addictionary" is but I don't like ti already. Especially not in some sort fo "whacky deal" with newspapers.

Here's an idea. Maybe they should do some REAL REPORTING and INVESTIGATE into some CONTROVERSIAL subjects.

[Dalkorian]

Oh wow, we're demanding aren't we. Why don't we also ask them to use real words out of a real dictionary, instead of trying to get their readers to make up words for them?

Naw, they shouldn't have to put forth that much effort.

[xander_v]

Well, let's be fair here...the New York Post is barely a newspaper as it is. More like a daily gossip rag.

Now, if the Washington Post or New York Times decide to go this route, I'd get nervous.

[friarjack]

I don't get it. How is this supposed to make money for them?

[josephXY]

Another critical look at the newspaper industry, their revenue problems is possible by using:
+ad rates up circulation down+
using Google, articles from 2004 are first to that and are the most revealing, they provide
a very logical explanation to an already folded paper; somehow similar pricing strategies were
and are common throughout; logically, that's something the media don't want to talk about too much
or mention (when ranting about Google and craigslist, etc.) it's both funny and scandalous;
also to recommend:
+Jack Shafer ghost readers+ (older articles, but maybe even more relevant)

[Hellcat]

This is the dumbest thing ever. People make up their own words anyway, its called slang or ebonics...or George Bushese...hey there you go add that, now if this catches on its going to be even worse. We're dumbing down our language anyway, KFC, CPK, Mickey D's, soon we'll just go up to people and calling them by their initials, or call everyone by short nicknames. Instead of Don Reisinger they'll call you D.R. and if their is a D.R. in your company then they'll call you Donny R. Everyone will walk around with their Mob name, or stripper name, or porn star name. Then we'll really loose the respect of other countries.

[man_w_balls]

Fugghettabout'it, H.
Mainstream culture has already lobotomized itself publicly by the past decade+ of idolizing rappers and adulation of thug culture. It's an entire mindset based on corruption and anti-intellectualism.

Welcome to Idiocracy. Thank you, prophet Mike Judge.