Column Chronicles: Stream-of-consciousness journalism surging more and more

Stream-of-consciousness journalism surging more and more

Frank Cotolo
June 25, 2026

A new community of journalists continues to grow in the USA. Their reports address facts but include strayed thoughts from the authors. More recent examples are offered:

TYSON, Wisconsin - No one knows for sure but I am certain the farmlands surrounding the county of Tyson are being visited by beings from another planet because tractors in the area are melting. A person the county thinks is a scientist said, "It ain't hot enough out here to melt a tractor." I knew a guy died while using one and a kid in the 4th grade ate a bad apple once and got sick.

TESTAMENT, Washington - A federal marshall is telling residents to stay away from a polluted stream in the north. The southern area is filled with locusts when it's cold out. My car motor is making noises that do not sound ordinary. Who drinks out of a stream? Buy water in plastic bottles. I left my home without my wallet. Crap...

Ernst Wapner is a traditional journalists critical about stream-of-consciousness (SOC) reporting. "What about the who and what and where and when of it all?"

Failed university professor Don Dandianmartin supports the SOC syle. "It's an art form," he says. Could be but who asked him?

Another example:

RESTINPEACE, Washington - The governor. What's his name? Anyway he wants to run for office again and I forgot to pay my electric bill. Does the state treasury pay the power bill for the governor's mansion? My foot still hurts and I need a chiropodist to look at it. More bills. Maybe I will run for office. More like limp for office. I miss Ferris Wheels.

"No one wants this," said retired newspaper editor Sniff Goldrub. "News reporters must be focused about their writing and not pick up a pool cue to row a boat."

Frank Cotolo can be found hosting the talk and interview programme Cotolo Chronicles. You can send him an e-mail at this address: frank@148.ca.