Black and White

Its ironic that I read this news online.
On a daily jaunt to the NY times, I read that the Seattle Post Intelligencer had printed its last print paper today and would move to an online-only version. This comes close on the heels of the Rocky Mountain News in Colorado that closed after 150 years since its first print edition a few months ago.
Is this a sign of times to come.
An era of newspaper boys being chased by cute housebroken labs all over the world comes slowly to an end.
Its strange when I think about it. The 7 odd years I lived in the US - I did not subscribe to a single newspaper. I read all my news online. I read about the US, World news and India news - all at the click of a button.
Now - the first thing I do when I get up is scramble through the dark corridoor that leads to my apt door and open the main door to pick up not one but 5 newspapers in print and supplements
and then for 45 minutes everyday, they have my unwavering attention and love.
You know, my favorite part of reading newspapers in print is the fact that in India, we recycle the papers by selling them by the kg to a paperwallah. Then, todays hot news gets packed and moved and stored and sold elsewhere ..and months ..and in many a case years later ....shows back up in your hands .. as the wrapping for some streetside snack ..like bhel, or roasted peanuts while you are stuck in traffic ..or some flowers you bought for a pooja or as wrapping for some
other household items.
Its fascinating. To see the date and the news on such well travelled pieces of paper. Its a reality check like none other and always brings a smile to my face.
Digital footprints..I doubt for all their convinience and other benefits will give us these small simple pleasures. Like fighting over the one print paper....getting yelled at by my dad for not folding the paper correctly. Rolling the paper to kill a stray insect.
I think its wonderful to have digital news. Dont get me wrong. Its far reaching, limitless, can be saved and reproduced far easily and reliably. Not to mention, its also ecofriendly and doesnt invole cutting trees to make paper pulp or using chemical inks in print.
But I love the paper editions ....just for the spirit ..... the essence of a newspaper.
Should we call it "newspage" now ? ...its not paper isnt it ?
I dont know if this is the beginning of the end or just a sign of rough economic times.
But part of me was sad to hear about it.
And the fact that I chose to write about it online, only make my wry smile ....more wry.