The last remaining newspaper
We’ve all had opinions concerning the subject of digital versus print media. We’ve heard that print media is fading, it’s done, old hat. Well, why isn’t it dead yet? I’ve thought about this subject more than I want to remember, so I wanted to see for myself what people are really choosing to use when they have the opportunity to use both in certain situations.
I traveled to local coffee shops and bookstores that allowed for a customer to utilize either the internet or traditional media for their needs. Waiting, watching, and taking notes, I realize that within the few hours that I observed there were seven customers accessed the Internet with their phones, three with their laptops, and two used both phones and laptops. Each person accessed their local newspaper applications and then their social media applications.
I noticed that every one of the 12 people used the Internet exclusively. As I wrote my notes, a middle-aged lady with a flowered dress walked in, ordered a coffee with cream, and grabbed a newspaper. I noticed that it was the last one on the rack.
I thought a minute. So, the last paper was gone? I sat back in my chair and thought about what was going on. If the papers were gone, that means customers are buying them, right?
I gather my belongings and walk up to the young man behind the counter. He acknowledges me and I immediately ask about the newspaper rack. He tells me that the newspapers always get taken early in the morning. I ask him about the last paper. He tells me that the last paper is always taken in desperation because it is mostly crumpled and a bit torn.
I thank him for his time, purchase a coffee, and grab a newspaper that someone left at a table, dog-eared and mostly ravaged near the door. The ink came off on my hands. You can’t get ink-stained hands from a screen.
As we move forward by leaps and bounds with technology there is still a demand for traditional media like newspapers. Sometimes it just looks like digital media wins because unlike newspapers, it never runs out of editions.
It’s hard to break a tradition like a morning newspaper. Year after year, a paperboy draws back and releases the paper with practiced accuracy as the thump at your door signals it’s time to see what went on the night before. Not too much now, just the right amount of news. Not so much as to make you wary with horror, but an equal amount of good and bad news. Remember that? That was nice. You could go about your day until the evening newspaper arrived if that was happening in your town.
See, balance? That’s what we definitely lack with digital media. Do we really need constant news? We miss the balance of good and bad news when we are engulfed in persistent talking heads throughout the entire day. Death, maiming, sadness; are we the type of people who want that rolling around in our heads all day? No. We need to build up and spread the word that there’s good in our communities, cities, and states. Our country is brilliant, and we should bask in the light of the sun on occasion.
Do you support traditional media such as newspapers and magazines? If so, what is the draw in times when digital media is always available?
L. Scott Pishko is a resident of Uniontown. He can be reached by email at electricnotions@mail.com