...every time! Ok, so I'm using 'scissors' in a metaphorical sense here but in reality the cutting edge of digital media is becoming a much preferred source over printed paper media in almost every facet of news. In a time when at least 61% of people get at least part of their news from online sources (and really, that statistic is from 2010, I think it's very conservative) it comes as no surprise that the business of printed media is scrambling to stay relevant. Breaking news is accessible instantly. Long are the days of card catalogs and spending hours browsing through library databases to find an old article. With booming search engines like Google and Bing a plethora of information and databases can be accessed in one click from any computer, tablet, or cellular phone (cellular... even that word sounds outdated!). Craig Newmark (the 'craig' in craigslist) has been quoted as suggesting that papers create a culture of participation. I think Mr. Newmark should probably post an ISO (in search of, for those not particularly savvy in the lingo of online abbreviations) ad to try and buy a new perspective. Online news has the population involved in their news like never before.
It's taken some time, but even the older generation in my family is getting on board with the social media trend. Want to see fun? Introduce Grandma to Facebook and see how many times she accidentally posts a PM (personal message) as her status! Through social media I can share and receive links to interesting articles and take place in a discussion about them right there underneath the shared link with people of all varieties and locations. When has a newspaper ever brought together people from 3 generations, living in 3 different states, and all discussing simultaneously about something that interests or pertains to them? Short of a three-way call (do people still do that?) I can't think of an example. In the days when newspapers were thriving you had to write in with a question or comment about an article and wait for it to be published or responded to by letter. With today's emerging media I can access an article directly on CNN moments after it's been published and comment on the article with my views or concerns directly in an interactive platform with other readers from around the globe. Newspapers are only alive because the generation that lived for them is still kicking. With the largest viewership of newspapers being those aged 55 and up, printed newspapers and magazines are sure to continue to die off making way for a generation of instant gratification and global communication. So what say you? Are paper publications dying out? Are you sad to see them go? Where do you get YOUR news?Resources: http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlla/keeping-newspapers-alive_b8046
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/03/01/social.network.news/index.html
http://www.naa.org/Trends-and-Numbers/Readership/Age-and-Gender.aspx
I guess I am a little "old-school" in the sense that I am sad to see written (printed) language go. Nothing is more gratifying than turning the last page of that book you've been trying to get through for the last few weeks, or months, between the kids, cooking, cleaning, etc. I have a Nook, but I never use it. I just can't get use to the idea of not having a book in my hands to "break-in," so to speak, with dog ears and bookmarks. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sad to see them go! I'm an old soul and prefer newspapers and film cameras, but I know they're all a dying breed (so to speak). I guess its a good thing, because we are able to connect like never before with family and friends from high school through things like social media. We are also constantly updated through the news every hour (sometimes) and newspapers aren't fast enough to do that. I hope they keep these things around nostalgia's sake though. I'd love to keep shooting with film and get a newspaper from time to time. :)
ReplyDelete~Natalie H.
I too don't ever want to see printed media go away. I am dismayed that younger generations don't have any idea how to look things up without Google. If all this technology was to disappear we'd have a whole lot of confused lost people with no idea how to survive in this world. I prefer to be old school and keep my print. I have no interest in digital books, I will stick with my real in my hands books!!!
ReplyDeleteI get all my information from the Internet. News, addresses, directions, phone numbers, word definitions, etc. I'm a clutter-phobe so this is great for me. No more piles of maps, phone books, dictionaries, and research books. This is hard to explain to Grandma though when she comes over and needs a phone number.
ReplyDelete"Where's your phone book?"
"I don't have one. Just Google it."
-enter look of complete confusion-
"How can you not have a phone book??"
I do like reading paper books to unwind so I get a break from the screen, but I think printed media is on its way out. Too much overhead and not interactive enough as people like these days. And of course, it's not instant. You have to actually wait for a newspaper or magazine to be printed and delivered to your door. Who has time for that!? =)
I remember telling my students a few years ago that I had a "radical" theory that paper was going to disappear, and I have to say, I still believe this is true. We work and live in a society that demands things be instant and where even your receipts from K-Mart can be emailed to you.
ReplyDeleteYou can actually purchase a pen that writes on a digital type paper and it turns it into a PDF that you can download at home and while that is going on, the pen can also record your teacher's lecture... (http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/smartpen/) Crazy!
Now I live in a small town and I LOVE to buy the newspaper, but more for the gossip than the actual news. I am sad that paper books are on the way out as I can download books my nook or my iPad but at the same time I was sad to see CDs start to dwindle from the stores. It is part of life, we all move forward which is why your computer is now the size of a cell phone and not the size of a small business building.
I enjoy a good paper book, and the smell of a freshly printed newspaper... however for my current position in life digital is much more convenient. With paper books my boys are always knocking it out of my hands thus losing my place. I can't read with one hand because I can't hold it open. With my Kindle I can hold it with one hand, it always saves my page, it's lit for the inevitable nights spend cuddling a teething baby who craves my closeness, and best of all, I can get new books instantly!
ReplyDeleteRachel,
ReplyDeleteVery honest and insightful post! We share many of the same sentiments regarding the dying off of hard copy newspapers. After reading the assigned articles a few weeks ago about the current state of the newspaper industry it's safe to say that the industries' future is digital. Now don't get me wrong the newspaper won't disappear overnight, it will take many years before actual production is stopped by most publications. Even then there will be some publications still producing the product as a rarity. Nonetheless, the change to digital platforms can be seen everywhere you look. This overhaul can be seen at just about all of your newspapers publications where they offer an online version of their newspaper.
In my post related to the topic I talked about the evolution of the newspaper industry. I explained that society's desire for news has not changed, but the delivery method has and its digital. I referenced the article "Why Digital Natives Don't Like Newspapers." This article did an awesome job of explaining why individuals under the age of 45 never subscribe to newspapers. The best answers given were that they - Digital Natives- Generations Xers and Millenials, individuals who grew up in front of screens and electronics devices just don't relate to newspapers. The article also explained how their living habits of no clutter and commitment don't allow for objects like a newspaper to pile up in their lives.
So to answer your question posed at the bottom of this post where do I get my news? As a member of the millennial generation I can attest that I have never subscribed to a newspaper or even bought one more than a few times in my life. However, I do watch the news on television and check my smartphone applications and the web regularly for news and updates. In all, I guess that makes me a supporter of the digital shift in news. Yes scissors do trump paper! lol