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I subscribe to a mailing list called Online-News.  On it, a fellow posted his list of top ten reasons why he still reads the newspaper.  I posted this as my reply.

Tom,

Your list was very funny and true. However, I thought I ought to respond with the other point of view….

Top 10 Reasons for Reading a News Site



1. My news site has never stained my clean shirt or my car seat.

2. Anywhere I travel, my news site goes with me. It doesn’t pile up while I’m away.

3. I can listen to my news site’s podcast while standing, while eating, while riding a bus, OR while I drive my car.

4. If I read a story I like, I can send it to a friend without a stamp.

5. My news site doesn’t just have sections—it’s customizable, and it shows my wife and I exactly what we’re interested, separately.

6. I’ll give you the battery advantage. But my news site has each apartment listing with detailed descriptions, photos and a precise map. My newspaper says “Downtown, 2 bd/2 bt, 5 appl., ht & ht wtr, balc, d/i pool, n/p, n/s. $1200”

7. My news site never gets stolen off my doorstep or delivered late. Or wet.

8. My news site doesn’t need to be recycled.

9. If my news site is makes a mistake, they correct the original story, and when I read that story later, I will see the corrected version. My newspaper may not be broken, but it could be wrong.

10. I can read my news site in a light breeze.

But I think the most important reason for reading a news site is this:

11. In the past ten years, my news site has gone from a tiny experiment to being the place I turn to for news and community. In the past ten years, my newspaper… well, how many people can say their newspaper has become more relevant, trustworthy and useful?

Subject: Why I still read the print product
From: Tom Rouillard
Date:  Sept. 4, 2005

I worked in print for seven years followed by eight in online. I know the future is online, but I just can’t resist picking up a newspaper and reading a column of briefs or a short story or just the photo caption if I don’t have much time.

So, at the risk of sounding outdated and blind to the future, here are my…

Top 10 Reasons for Still Reading a Newspaper

1. The newspaper has never burned my lap. (Macs run hot!)

2. The flight attendant has never told me to put my newspaper away.

3. I can read my newspaper while standing, while eating, while riding a bus.

4. I can give my newspaper to someone else when I am done.

5. I can read the A section while my wife reads the metro section.

6. My newspaper’s battery never dies.

7. If my newspaper gets wet, I can buy another for about a buck.

8. I can recycle my newspaper at the curb.

9. If I drop my newspaper, it doesn’t break.

10. I can read my newspaper during a lightning storm.

Overheard

“The sad truth is that most evil is done by people who never make up their minds to be good or evil.”

...who said it?

“Almost every American I know does trade large portions of his life for entertainment, hour by weeknight hour, binge by Saturday binge, Facebook check by Facebook check. I’m one of them. In the course of writing this I’ve watched all 13 episodes of House of Cards and who knows how many more West Wing episodes, and I’ve spent any number of blurred hours falling down internet rabbit holes. All instead of reading, or writing, or working, or spending real time with people I love.”

...who said it?

“Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones.”

...who said it?

“I play with variables constantly.”

...who said it?

“Only the person who has learned Continual Love coming from a heart of Gratitude/Worship can effectively deal with the problem of loneliness.”

...who said it?

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