I don’t own an iPod or iPad. I do have a computer, a cable TV network, the internet and printed matter (magazines and newspaper). There is a media blitz available 24 hours per day.
As Grasshopper No.5 knows, it is tough to make money in the “news print” business. Many people are dropping their subscriptions to local newspapers in favor of TV news and the internet. Newspapers have been slow to transistion to the electronic side of the world. They offer limited info such as obituaries, major local events and entertainment on their websites.
My local newspaper allows an annual subscription which I pay quarterly. I received notification that the newspaper is going to increase rates. I will get more! In addition to the daily paper, I will have their website internet news at my finger tips. If I understand the letter telling me of all the fine benefits, my cost to subscribe to the paper is going to increase 20%. If 20% is true, it will be a deal breaker. I will let my subscription lapse.
It would be a shame to not have a newspaper. It is like an “old sock”, very comfortable. I’d miss the comic section. I wouldn’t be able to do my daily Sudoku. I’d miss the biased liberal point of view.
Lets face it. Everything is becoming instantaneous and electronic. Newspapers are going the way of the buggy whip. Slow obsolesence.
So my world is going to change again. I will probably have to buy a lap top computer, an iPad, and upgrade my phone system to access the internet. It will mean 2 phones (one for Mom and one for Me) capability and a 3 year contract to get the best rates. And then there would be the “apps” and the music downloads. Stop! What am I thinking? Wouldn’t paying the paper it’s rate increase be cheaper?
Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. Pardon me while I turn to page 4 of the morning newspaper.
Love,
Dad