The Case for Why You Should Read the Newspaper

capitalcityguy

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Jun 14, 2007
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Some of the comments I've read over time out have prompted me to write this thread.

For what it is worth (and you can argue against if you feel you must), but don't discount the value in reading your local newspaper. There are people like me that take great value in that fact that a person keeps up on what is going on in and around the city/state in which they live. In my book, it is a part of being a well rounded individual.

It is hard to not be judgmental when it is obvious to me (usually discovered via small talk or overhearing a conversation) that someone is ignorant or oblivious to news that should easily be apparent & accessible to anyone with even mild motivation to stay informed.

Don't care what I think? Well, I can assure you I'm far from the only person who thinks that way.

Who am I/we and why should I give a damn what you think?

I/we might be your boss, your customer, a potential new friendship, someone who would be valuable to network with, etc. ……..

Side note: I give my wife total credit here, as she understands this too. She works in a corporate environment and she can end up in a meeting where she is the only woman. She could care less about the sport's page, but she scans the headlines/stories each day just to get a feel for what is happening. You don't think it gives her instance credibility when she's able to engage in the small talk before a meeting starts (instead of sitting in the corner just listening because they're not talking about Yankee Candles or something similar)?

My advice: read the newspaper each day or at the vary least, check out the online version. Have the local TV news on in the morning while you're getting ready for work as this will be a big help too. It doesn't take much of an effort to be informed and it will pay back much more than most realize.
 
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BryceC

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I haven't picked up a newspaper for months and I have no problem staying informed enough to discuss the news with anyone I've spoken with in my office. You don't have to waste money on them to at least be mildly informed.
 

Knownothing

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Nov 22, 2006
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The Register just needs to hire better writers. They are stuck in the past with people like Raka Basu who is horrible. It's unreadable. As far as the news it's good to get the news off the register website so you can know what is going on. It's just brutal to read any of there stories.
 

4429 mcc

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Check out the famers almanac great information in there too :jimlad:

Everything important in the register is on the online version btw
 

bos

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I dont need news paper or the news. I get all of my solid information off of wikipedia. It's the bees knees.
 

CloneAggie

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Oct 21, 2006
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I absolutely agree. To build on this:
Men, you should also set your DVR to record The View each day in case you are in a meeting with only women. Also, make sure you watch all of the Star Wars and Star Trek movies, as well as each episode of Battlestar Galactica in case you are in a meeting with only IT people. Also, if you are a liberal, you better watch O'Reilly each night to be able to talk with the other conservatives, and if you are a conservative, you better watch Olbermann each night to be able to talk with the liberals.:jimlad:
 

bos

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I absolutely agree. To build on this:
Men, you should also set your DVR to record The View each day in case you are in a meeting with only women. Also, make sure you watch all of the Star Wars and Star Trek movies, as well as each episode of Battlestar Galactica in case you are in a meeting with only IT people. Also, if you are a liberal, you better watch O'Reilly each night to be able to talk with the other conservatives, and if you are a conservative, you better watch Olbermann each night to be able to talk with the liberals.:jimlad:


Why dont you just kick me in the gigabytes.
 

dustinal

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Nov 14, 2006
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Some of the comments I've read over time out have prompted me to write this thread.

For what it is worth (and you can argue against if you feel you must), but don't discount the value in reading your local newspaper. There are people like me that take great value in that fact that a person keeps up on what is going on in and around the city/state in which they live. In my book, it is a part of being a well rounded individual.

It is hard to not be judgmental when it is obvious to me (usually discovered via small talk or overhearing a conversation) that someone is ignorant or oblivious to news that should easily be apparent & accessible to anyone with even mild motivation to stay informed.

Don't care what I think? Well, I can assure you I'm far from the only person who thinks that way.

Who am I/we and why should I give a damn what you think?

I/we might be your boss, your customer, a potential new friendship, someone who would be valuable to network with, etc. ……..

Side note: I give my wife total credit here, as she understands this too. She works in a corporate environment and she can end up in a meeting where she is the only woman. She could care less about the sport's page, but she scans the headlines/stories each day just to get a feel for what is happening. You don't think it gives her instance credibility when she's able to engage in the small talk before a meeting starts (instead of sitting in the corner just listening because they're not talking about Yankee Candles or something similar)?

My advice: read the newspaper each day or at the vary least, check out the online version. Have the local TV news on in the morning while you're getting ready for work as this will be a big help too. It doesn't take much of an effort to be informed and it will pay back much more than most realize.

I agree with you in principle, but I think it's important to make the distinction that the newspaper needs to be good and have truly newsworthy material in it. IMO, the Register and other papers have been watered down in recent years, mostly thanks to the mega-corporations that own them. Take a look at the information in a typical edition of the Register today--both quantity and quality--and compare to an edition from 10 or 15 years ago, and I'll bet you'd see a noticeable difference.
 

4429 mcc

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Aug 29, 2007
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I absolutely agree. To build on this:
Men, you should also set your DVR to record The View each day in case you are in a meeting with only women. Also, make sure you watch all of the Star Wars and Star Trek movies, as well as each episode of Battlestar Galactica in case you are in a meeting with only IT people. Also, if you are a liberal, you better watch O'Reilly each night to be able to talk with the other conservatives, and if you are a conservative, you better watch Olbermann each night to be able to talk with the liberals.:jimlad:

Thats why DJK15 and Tarheelhawk are always on this site.
 

bos

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:biglaugh:
Maybe I should have put jimlad after each sentence!


Ha ha, I know sarcasm when I see it. Just thought I would keep the ball rolling..


As for the newspaper stuff. Its good to read because it expands the mind and keeps it sharp. But I refuse to believe everything in there is truth. I cant even watch the news on tv anymore because its been pulled and stretched so much that it doesnt all seem factual. Have you ever noticed after some tragic happens, reporters find the most inbred hillbilly they can to interview about it? Whats that all about?
 

GeronimusClone

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Oct 23, 2008
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Ha ha, I know sarcasm when I see it. Just thought I would keep the ball rolling..


As for the newspaper stuff. Its good to read because it expands the mind and keeps it sharp. But I refuse to believe everything in there is truth. I cant even watch the news on tv anymore because its been pulled and stretched so much that it doesnt all seem factual. Have you ever noticed after some tragic happens, reporters find the most inbred hillbilly they can to interview about it? Whats that all about?

That's been around for years. Look at the hoax called the moon landing.
 

CloneAggie

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Oct 21, 2006
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Ha ha, I know sarcasm when I see it. Just thought I would keep the ball rolling..


As for the newspaper stuff. Its good to read because it expands the mind and keeps it sharp. But I refuse to believe everything in there is truth. I cant even watch the news on tv anymore because its been pulled and stretched so much that it doesnt all seem factual. Have you ever noticed after some tragic happens, reporters find the most inbred hillbilly they can to interview about it? Whats that all about?
You must make it on the news alot!:wideeyed:

Seriously though ... if a woman should be expected to read the sports page, should a man be expected to read the fashion page? FYI ... I'm a man (although not 40 years old yet).
 

bos

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That's been around for years. Look at the hoax called the moon landing.

We've landed on the moon!

images
 

bos

Legend
Staff member
Apr 10, 2006
30,628
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You must make it on the news alot!:wideeyed:

Seriously though ... if a woman should be expected to read the sports page, should a man be expected to read the fashion page? FYI ... I'm a man (although not 40 years old yet).


Awwww. Snap!.....

I read victoria's secret, does that count?