Why does O'Brien relate his experience as a pig declotter? How does this information contribute to the story? Why go into such specific detail?

journalism is the gathering, organizing, and distribution of news -- to include feature stories and commentary -- through the wide variety of print and non-print media outlets. it is not a recent phenomenon, by any means; the earliest reference to a journalistic product comes from rome circa 59 b.c., when news was recorded in a circular called the acta diurna. it enjoyed daily publication and was hung strategically throughout the city for all to read, or for those who were able to read.