Writing Web Novels In America-Chapter 159 - 157: Discrimination

Because of different positions and information, each person may have a different understanding of the same matter.

Take, for example, "Anomalies and Creatures," the ongoing science fiction, comedy series being serialized on a website.

Wang Jian saw it as one of the three major broadcast networks, ABC, hoping to salvage its declining ratings through this work.

Further thoughts led him to believe that the other party wanted to produce a top-notch work to obtain the same advertising revenue as CBS.

But for the many executives managing ABC, it was a risky move after careful selection and thoughtful consideration.

Because ABC had caught the eye of a bigger media giant, Disney from Hollywood.

Since the United States Great Commander, Bill Clinton, had just signed the "Telecommunications Act."

The broadcast media domain officially entered an era of mergers, a time of big fish eating little fish.

As the "Great White Shark" of the media world, Disney naturally disdained only devouring small television networks.

Thus, ABC, whose TV show ratings were collapsing and investor confidence was dwindling, naturally came into their sights.

Although the acquisition offer from Disney could be described as astounding,

that was only true for the shareholders of ABC.

The executives saw the strong dominance of Disney’s Emperor, Michael Eisner.

In every enterprise acquired by Disney, he would not hesitate to replace the former corporate executives.

To boost investors’ confidence and salvage their careers, ABC’s executives began to frantically search for works that fit the current trend.

The result...

The adaptation rights to these works were all in Disney’s and its allies’ hands.

At that time, a young man proposed "Anomalies and Creatures."

After reading it, they were thrilled to discover it was precisely the kind of science fiction, comedy they wanted.

As for the high production costs of shooting such grand scenes, they didn’t care,

because if it were successful, they would naturally recoup the costs.

And if it failed, then they would leave the mess to Disney.

When the executives received the report from James, as the young bestselling author was still hesitating,

these desperate bigwigs started to use their connections to pressure the other party through the media.

Thus, the next morning in the Flushing area of New York,

Wang Jian sat in his office, surprised to find that he had made the front page of the entertainment section.

He flipped through several newspapers,

"Are you kidding me? ’Anomalies and Creatures’ has even overshadowed Madonna’s scandal?"

This situation...

seemed a bit off!

Wang Jian thought about it and contacted Tom using the internal phone line.

"Have you seen today’s newspapers?"

"Yes, check them first. Then contact friends from the publishers and newspapers to inquire about any inside stories."

After hanging up the phone, Wang Jian picked up several newspapers and began to read carefully.

In authoritative newspapers like the "New York Times" and the "Wall Street Post," reporters used a large number of neutral terms.

They employed various literary terms, seemingly objectively evaluating "Anomalies and Creatures" and the classic science fiction work "Galaxy Guide."

But in some tabloids, the reports were full of excessive praise.

Some reporters even claimed that "Anomalies and Creatures" was the best homage to "Galaxy Guide!"

Of course, there were also some newspapers that subtly accused "Anomalies" of plagiarizing "Galaxy."

Among them, the most outrageous was the "Los Angeles Post," which, during the Los Angeles riots, reported only on Black and White individuals, completely ignoring the experiences of Asians.

"Please, we’ve read ’Galaxy Guide’! Fu Manchu wants to plagiarize the classics through the internet and become Jules Verne?"

"Fu Manchu?" Wang Jian, holding the newspaper, clenched it so tightly that veins bulged slightly.

This was perhaps the worst racial discrimination he had ever experienced.

Wang Jian directly faxed "Los Angeles Post" to Matthew and wrote below the fax, "Sue them!"

Soon, Matthew’s call came back, "Wang, what is your final demand?"

"Los Angeles Post shuts down!" Wang Jian was also somewhat infuriated.

Matthew pondered for a moment on the phone, "It’s difficult, the ’Los Angeles Post’ has been sued for discrimination many times."

"At most, we can make them publicly apologize, plus some compensation," Matthew hesitated, "Given the atmosphere in Los Angeles, many people might think we are making a big deal out of nothing."

"After paying compensation, the journalist involved might even receive a substantial donation."

Wang Jian thought about the stereotypical ’nerdy, squinty-eyed’ image of Chinese in Hollywood and was also infuriated.

Is this the so-called, most inclusive Angel City?

"No matter what, first send them a lawyer’s letter!"

After hanging up the phone, Wang Jian forced himself to calm down.

The widespread coverage of "Anomalies and Creatures" was clearly abnormal.

So, behind this matter, who could the stakeholders be?

Goldman Sachs was actively preparing for the website’s IPO.

They would be pleased to see the website appear in the newspapers, but those pieces of news could not possibly contain any negativity.

Other companies similar to Apple, Nokia, HBO, etc., had no incentive to target "Anomalies."

Then...

This strategy of Uncle Sam, best known for "the carrot and stick" approach, is very clearly targeted.

Honestly, after a night of thought, Wang Jian had already been prepared to authorize the TV production of "Anomalies and Creatures" to ABC.

Because, like Lehman said, "In the capital market, a high valuation of a company is the greatest good news."

"And it’s easier to make money in the capital market than anywhere else."

But now, a further discussion is needed.

Wang Jian thought for a moment and then dialed ABC’s James.

"Is this ABC’s attitude towards partners?"

Meanwhile, in the editorial office of the "Los Angeles Post,"

The editor-in-chief patted the shoulder of a young Asian, "David, your piece was great, keep it up!"

"Thank you, editor-in-chief."

As the young Asian hummed a tune and left the editor’s office,

A colleague quietly asked, "Wu, the editor-in-chief only told us to attack ’Anomalies and Creatures,’ why did you still write ’Fu Manchu’?"

"Aren’t you afraid that the bestselling author will sue you directly?"

"Call me David," the Asian corrected, "I understand Chinese people, attacking them is definitely safer than attacking African Americans."

"Most Chinese are law-abiding and don’t bother to look for trouble."

"Besides," he shrugged, "other ethnicities writing ’Fu Manchu’ is discrimination."

"But I’m Chinese myself, how can writing ’Fu Manchu’ be discrimination? Have you seen a Black person being sued for discrimination for calling someone ’niger’?"

"Even if it makes the news, I’d still call that bestselling author ’Fu Manchu’!"

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