ANIMATION: How to Save Newspapers by Ted Rall

[deyvehd]

Run time: 02:07 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7qd8v8v2qk   Posted on YouTube: March 15, 2010 By YouTube Member: tedralltoons Views on YouTube: 5   Posted on DU: March 15, 2010 By DU Member: deyvehd Views on DU: 654

 

[Auggie]

1. Is the insinuation newspapers are obsolete because the average reader is 55?

Pointless video

[teknomanzer]

2. In answer to your question...

Yes, well sort of. Actually its the reverse of your question. Its more like the average newspaper readership is over 55 because newspapers are obsolete. And the video is not pointless. Information technology has in fact advanced to the point that newspapers are very nearly obsolete. The age of readership is relevant when you consider that seniors are the least adapted to new technology. In my 5 years of experience in technical support I have had the most difficulty in getting most seniors to perform even the most rudimentary tasks on computers, cell phones, set top boxes/cable boxes, and new televisions. In contrast when I had to assist anyone under the age of 20 even complex problems were resolved quickly.

I am not denegrating seniors -- just telling it like it is. My largest frustration was not that it was difficult to work with seniors, it was the fact the the stupid coporations I worked for thought thier god damned handle time statistic was more important than taking time to help someone out. Seniors were often my favorite customers because they really appreciated the help when they could get it, unlike people from 25 to 45 who were more often than not just plain rude or belligerent.

Anyone who is comfortable with technology is likely to get thier information from anyplace but a newspaper.

[evilkumquat]

3. I Believe the Insinuation...

...is that newspapers are NOT taking steps in securing NEW readership and are, instead, making decisions that will more than likely REDUCE future subscribers.

Case in point: reduction (or canceling) of comic strips.

Whenever newspapers want to shave costs, they will either lay off employees or cancel comics.

Without comics to draw the younger readers into the fold, why should anyone younger than 55, especially those who rely solely on the Internet for news, pick up something PRINTED?

Ted Rall is primarily a syndicated cartoonist and columnist as well as (I believe) the president of the editorial cartoonist trade organization.

This movie reflects his concerns.

[yurbud]

4. no, that they aren't going to do anything to attract younger readers with actual news

as long as they treat their readers like a commodity they are delivering to advertisers instead of an audience to woo with hard-hitting investigative reporting that challenges those in power, they will continue their descent into irrelevance.