comfortably numb...

Newspaper readership has dropped steadily since the early 1990's. To some degree, it's a fiscal matter. With the current economy, the increasing costs of publishing and distribution have certainly hurt the industry. However, newspapers survived (even flourished) through the tough economy of the mid-1970's. Rather than money issues, the death knell for newspapers was the advent of the internet age.

Newspaper circulation has incrementally diminished each year as internet access has increased. The Newspaper Association of America has compiled circulation data dating back to 1940. The data shows that circulation peaked in the early 90s and has dropped each year since 1993. Why? The internet provides information in ways that appeal to the average citizen. With newspapers, readers must choose one source and wait until it lands on their doorsteps to be informed. Whereas the internet offers a variety of sources and news is made available within hours or even as it happens. Easy access to news as it happens surely accounts for the trend. It seems inevitable that the newspaper industry as we know it will cease to exist altogether.

The Washington Post reported last month that it's the nation's largest newspapers that are suffering the most significant losses of readership. The smaller daily publications still control the market for local news and offer the best venue for local advertisers. The sword of Damocles.com is dangling over their heads, too. As hometown businesses begin to realize the benefits of online advertising, local newspapers will become less attractive. In response, newspapers have no choice but to offer their services online.

Most major news outlets, including newspapers, now offer services online. Many include "premium" service for a fee, but the majority provide news for free. They have to rely entirely on advertising instead of subscription dollars. For the consumer, there is a simple question: Why would I pay for a newspaper when it's available online at no cost? Newspapers have yet to answer that question and circulation will only continue to decline until they do. What does it all mean to the American public? Why should we care?

This is an era when people stare into an LED screen to access news. Bookshelves are empty as people load their libraries onto a Kindle. Instead of the hassle of a playground, kids turn to the Wii in the comfort of their family rooms. The clackity impact of the typewriter? Forget about it. We have abandoned the tactile experiences. There is something to be said for ink blackened fingers; for the 6:00 AM thump of the Sunday Times on your porch. Can one really enjoy a cup of coffee in front of a laptop? The imminent death of printed news is not progress. Newspapers, like books and baseball bats, should be held in your hands. It's another symptom of our increasingly numb culture. We don't "feel" anymore.