We've been trying to eliminate minor gaps... and to line up the resources for our biggest challenges in Akron and Cleveland.

[The pros still have one thing most amateurs don't: resources. Grassroots reporting fills the gaps in mainstream coverage, keeps members of the old guard on their toes, and shines when there's a premium on fast facts from the scene. But laypeople can't do much with a story like Watergate or Enron.] Big investigative projects require deep pockets, ... I'm not trying to tell anyone that we don't need paid journalists. I hope for an ecosystem where many forms of information can survive and thrive.

Obviously there is concern about federal support to ensure they have the resources to keep the line in a state of good repair.

It's phenomenal. That's where we see the biggest benefit. It's the access to the resources and the experiences of a wide garden community.

The biggest changes are the kids and the resources they have. They use the scientific method better than I've ever seen it used before.

Schooling after the second grade plays only a minor role in creating or reducing gaps.