Texas mop, KC smoke, Carolina vinegar – I like all styles of communications, really.

Phil Harvey, Editor-in-Chief

April 20, 2018

2 Min Read
I'm Back for the Future of Communications

"What is? Is. What was? Will be. What will be was, but will be again." – Arnold Horshack

Oh, yeah. I'm back.

And duly welcomed.

But why return to Light Reading? There are some structural improvements I need to make, like establishing a BBQ smokehouse budget and convincing the bosses that it's a common editorial expense in Texas. "It's like a tea room, but dangerous." (Look, I'm still working on it.)

Wait, there's more. I came back to help Light Reading keep doing what it does well. This publication has an incredibly talented group of writers, editors and video producers. Keeping those people going and making sure Light Reading doesn't abandon its strengths as a publication and a brand, is hard work.

With all the technological change in communications and media, we have to navigate both industries well enough to provide our audience the best content possible at the exact right time that they need it. That requires us to refine Light Reading's editorial strategy continually, clarify who we are and what we cover, and do our best to remain competitive. We also need to be there for the talented folks that have trusted us with their career development.

Also, it's an exciting time to be watching the future of communications unfold. Apple launched its app store a decade ago, ushering in new communications services, delivered directly to devices from content creators, social networks and information providers.

Now cloud computing companies and device makers have jumped ahead of service providers to build artificial intelligence capabilities that will unlock even more innovation and services. Even the act of creating the software that powers our next favorite app will soon be something that computers write without our help.

How do the operators of the networks that carry these services fit in? The answer is not clear. They could become the conductors of the next great symphony of computing and innovation or, once again, remain the well-dressed patrons in the back row of the theater, politely clapping while someone else stands center stage and gets the spotlight.

Whatever happens, and however the rapidly consolidating media landscape changes the narrative, I'm happy to be back in a role where I can help tell this remarkable story.

— Phil Harvey, US News Editor, Light Reading

About the Author(s)

Phil Harvey

Editor-in-Chief, Light Reading

Phil Harvey has been a Light Reading writer and editor for more than 18 years combined. He began his second tour as the site's chief editor in April 2020.

His interest in speed and scale means he often covers optical networking and the foundational technologies powering the modern Internet.

Harvey covered networking, Internet infrastructure and dot-com mania in the late 90s for Silicon Valley magazines like UPSIDE and Red Herring before joining Light Reading (for the first time) in late 2000.

After moving to the Republic of Texas, Harvey spent eight years as a contributing tech writer for D CEO magazine, producing columns about tech advances in everything from supercomputing to cellphone recycling.

Harvey is an avid photographer and camera collector – if you accept that compulsive shopping and "collecting" are the same.

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