Despite digital news being easier to access and far more current, the humble newspaper is still on top when it comes to holding our attention according to recent reports in The Australian and The Times. I’m relieved as this means advertisers will take note and the newspaper may continue for a bit longer.
We’re continuously being told how much better and easier it is to have everything delivered to our screens, but as I spend all day staring at it, I personally love getting away from it in my down time.
Being a home worker, I enjoy a morning walk to the newsagents to buy my several printed sheets and later in the day, I’ll leave my desk to lounge on the sofa with cup of tea to read them. If I’ve got time, I’ll do the crossword and the sudoku and if these are unfinished, I’ll leave the page hanging around for a couple of days hoping there will be a ‘light bulb’ moment and ‘2 Down’ will finally come to me without the need of a thesaurus.
As well as stimulating the little grey cells, there are a few other benefits of having the odd newspaper kicking about the house. Where would we be without a stack of newspapers when it comes to drying wet shoes, ironing wax out of carpets, keeping the kids amused by making papier mâché objects (sorry, ignore that one, the kids are too busy playing on their DSs or iPads), and lining cat’s litter trays and bird cages? I’ve been more than thankful for the pile of papers ready for recycling when I’ve broken some china, needed to clean a window, or cover the floor when doing a bit of DIY.
A newspaper’s insulation properties are also great – can you wrap your tub of ice-cream in a tablet when you’ve forgotten a cool box? And I’m sure a few tramps will feel decidedly colder under a blanket of tablets. Furthermore, if everything goes digital, what will James Bond or Private Investigators discretely hide behind when staking out street corners? Villains will also have to diversify and find an alternative in which to surreptitiously hand their accomplice a fire arm.
I could go on and wax lyrical about a used newspaper’s ability to help with lighting wood burners and stuffing scarecrows, however I will leave digital news/tablet reader advocates with a couple of challenges:
1. Swat a fly without damaging the window or your tablet.
2. Use a tablet to successfully steady a wobbly table.
Please, don’t keep telling me digital is best – why would I give up all the free extras which come with a newspaper?
wadders007 