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Last Generation to Enjoy Newspapers?

The photo at the top of this post is my granddaughter, Makenna. She is 9 years old, and she is doing something that many of us, our parents, grandparents, and possibly great grandparents enjoyed doing. That is reading the comics from our daily newspapers. That trend could come to an abrupt halt during this generation.

The newspaper's funnies that are being read in this photo is from the Cleveland Plain Dealer. That paper is only home delivered four days a week nowadays. This was done as a cost cutting measure. The internet has cut deeply into readership of the daily paper worldwide. Why pay for day old news when you can get it fresh for free?

It's very sad when I remember being able to read the comics every day. I enjoyed reading Peanuts, Beetle Bailey, Dennis the Menace, B.C., among others. And the Sunday paper had 2 full color comics sections. I think that this is a privilege every child should have. It would enhance their quiet time, something kids need way more of.

Our oldest grandson, Ben, who is 11, tells me that he likes to read the paper through. Maybe the news is old by the time you get it, but it is there. If your internet goes out, you can still read the paper. You can take it with you anywhere and not have to worry about not having a wifi connection.

Getting back to Makenna, there is another reason for her to enjoy the paper. She is deaf, not totally, but enough to not be able to enjoy other forms of media that most other take advantage of. When the paper finally becomes a thing of the past, many will lose from their demise.

I have adapted well to the cyber age. I read 2 comic strips everyday, Funky Winkerbean and Dick Tracy. I know where to find each on the web. I know where to get the news and local ads. But I think I will suffer when the day comes when the daily paper is no longer available.

Comments

WZZP said…
Newspaper...thing of the past. TV as we know it will be gone soon too. Why we are hanging onto the post office like we are is beyond me. I'd be happy with mail service on MWF. It is any wonder Levi still uses the Burbank post office the reduced hours it has left.
July 20, 2014 7:50 PM
Makenna's mom said…
Had I known this photo was going to get this popular, I would have at least moved the laundry basket. Meh, lol.

As far as media and the Deaf, I think we need to do things to make them accessible. Aside from the comics, Makenna also likes to watch Godspell (the musical from the 1970s), Princess Sophia, Sesame Street, Clifford the Big Red Dog (original and puppy days) and Frozen. She can do all of it without sound. Captions make her life easier. Youtube videos, web content and other media needs to be captioned as well. She can Skype/video chat instead of talking on the phone and also text.
July 21, 2014 1:05 AM
sarah said…
It's true that this world is becoming a world of technology. Being the future pillars of this world, I do think that technology has its own benefits and disadvantages. I do see more people using their smart phones more than sitting and reading a newspaper or even a book. I hope newspapers will not be a tradition of the past in the future!
July 28, 2014 8:28 AM
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