Comments on: A loss of style http://www.blackmarks.net/2007/01/14/a-loss-of-style/ "The unread story is not a story; it is little black marks on wood pulp. The reader, reading it, makes it live: a live thing, a story." -- Ursula K. Le Guin -- Writer, Reader, Amateur Interneter, Father and Life Chronicler. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:25:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dave http://www.blackmarks.net/2007/01/14/a-loss-of-style/#comment-13724 Dave Mon, 15 Jan 2007 20:42:04 +0000 http://www.blackmarks.net/index.php/2007/01/14/a-loss-of-style/#comment-13724 I enjoy reading the newspaper when available, at work, school, etc... but I'll never subscribe to it. I enjoy buying one outside of Perkins in the morning, but other then that I haven't purchased a paper unless it had some sort of "cool" front page headline that I could keep and then pull 30 years later and think "wow, this paper sure has held up well for 30 years." I can't wait for the day that there's a viable way to e-read. I can't stand reading things on a cell phone, to small and still not fast enough. A lap top is still to clunky for on the go. No, nothing compares to the versatility of paper yet. Until then I'll just get my writen news on my desktop and look retarded. I enjoy reading the newspaper when available, at work, school, etc… but I’ll never subscribe to it. I enjoy buying one outside of Perkins in the morning, but other then that I haven’t purchased a paper unless it had some sort of “cool” front page headline that I could keep and then pull 30 years later and think “wow, this paper sure has held up well for 30 years.”
I can’t wait for the day that there’s a viable way to e-read. I can’t stand reading things on a cell phone, to small and still not fast enough. A lap top is still to clunky for on the go. No, nothing compares to the versatility of paper yet. Until then I’ll just get my writen news on my desktop and look retarded.

]]> By: Corey Vilhauer http://www.blackmarks.net/2007/01/14/a-loss-of-style/#comment-13716 Corey Vilhauer Mon, 15 Jan 2007 17:01:30 +0000 http://www.blackmarks.net/index.php/2007/01/14/a-loss-of-style/#comment-13716 Deane, I understand that they are adapting to the public. And you're right -- it is sad that this is the way the adaptation is needed to work. I just hate it, personally, because it's changing the newspaper to something that no longer represents a viable news source. It is a scramble. And I can't think of any way that keeps old readers happy while bringing new readers in, aside from improving content. I don't think the Argus - or any newspaper - will ever see the readership they once had. Though, really, what did we ever expect from the paper? The Star Tribune is, without a doubt, always going to be a better paper. It's just that the local alternative is no longer worth it. Deane, I understand that they are adapting to the public. And you’re right — it is sad that this is the way the adaptation is needed to work.

I just hate it, personally, because it’s changing the newspaper to something that no longer represents a viable news source.

It is a scramble. And I can’t think of any way that keeps old readers happy while bringing new readers in, aside from improving content. I don’t think the Argus – or any newspaper – will ever see the readership they once had.

Though, really, what did we ever expect from the paper? The Star Tribune is, without a doubt, always going to be a better paper. It’s just that the local alternative is no longer worth it.

]]> By: KV http://www.blackmarks.net/2007/01/14/a-loss-of-style/#comment-13713 KV Mon, 15 Jan 2007 15:46:15 +0000 http://www.blackmarks.net/index.php/2007/01/14/a-loss-of-style/#comment-13713 As a preface, I've been reading the newspaper each morning since early adolesence. In importance, it's along the realm of say brushing my teeth. If they are trying to attract younger readers, they should try to attract younger readers who actually care about news, and not the ones who have no inclination to be aware of what goes on around them. I'm guessing Robert Morast is supposed to hit my demographic, and I have yet to meet someone in my demographic who cares what he says. Right now, it seems the Argus is shooting toward retirees who want to see their grandkids in reader submitted photos. Not business people, young working adults or college students who care about the world around them. I read news off the Internet like the rest of them, but I also read the newspaper with my cup of coffee in the morning. (Well, soon, used to read the Argus Leader.) In all seriousness, canceling the paper is damn near as scary as leaving the house without a cup of coffee poured down my throat! As a preface, I’ve been reading the newspaper each morning since early adolesence. In importance, it’s along the realm of say brushing my teeth.

If they are trying to attract younger readers, they should try to attract younger readers who actually care about news, and not the ones who have no inclination to be aware of what goes on around them.

I’m guessing Robert Morast is supposed to hit my demographic, and I have yet to meet someone in my demographic who cares what he says. Right now, it seems the Argus is shooting toward retirees who want to see their grandkids in reader submitted photos. Not business people, young working adults or college students who care about the world around them.

I read news off the Internet like the rest of them, but I also read the newspaper with my cup of coffee in the morning. (Well, soon, used to read the Argus Leader.)

In all seriousness, canceling the paper is damn near as scary as leaving the house without a cup of coffee poured down my throat!

]]> By: Deane http://www.blackmarks.net/2007/01/14/a-loss-of-style/#comment-13670 Deane Mon, 15 Jan 2007 06:09:37 +0000 http://www.blackmarks.net/index.php/2007/01/14/a-loss-of-style/#comment-13670 I don't think you should be upset with the Argus as much as the general public. The Argus is just adapting to the market. I'm assuming their readership is going down, which means they're scrambling to stay relevant. What's the option? Wither on the vine while sticking to their principles? Noble, sure, but not very good business. I think the Internet has done a hatchet job on our collective attention span, frankly. As much as I like to linger over the Journal or the New York Times, it's hard to get in the mood anymore. Sad, but true. I don’t think you should be upset with the Argus as much as the general public. The Argus is just adapting to the market. I’m assuming their readership is going down, which means they’re scrambling to stay relevant.

What’s the option? Wither on the vine while sticking to their principles? Noble, sure, but not very good business.

I think the Internet has done a hatchet job on our collective attention span, frankly. As much as I like to linger over the Journal or the New York Times, it’s hard to get in the mood anymore.

Sad, but true.

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