I'm fairly active in some personal finance sites where folks discuss how to manage their spending and debt loads, and I've written a few how-to posts here and there that have been used by a lot of people to help cut their wasteful spending, especially in matters related to technology. In this case, a Chicago-based reporter had seen a rather long post I'd made with regard to the economics of mobile communications, stuff I've discussed here as well, and he contacted me via that other site. A phone interview ensued and then they sent a photographer over, a nice guy, and then it hit the newswires. I've had a good relationship with the media over the years, for the most part, if you're willing to help them, they will help you. I actually turn down or ignore the majority of media requests I see, I get an surprising number of requests on a seemingly random range of topics from personal finance to relationships. I pick the ones I think can help other people the most.