Value of Journalism
Will newspapers survive? I think the physical form will survive for another 10 years at least at much lower valuation then eventually break into nich market fragments. The profession of journalism will, however, not only continue on but become more respected than before.
This is why I think so. When we are short of something we consume, like water in the desert, we put value in availability. As we approach ubiquitous availability of the same, we shift value to quality.
In a sea filled with unverified and biased news and information, we will rediscover the value of journalism. We will see memes as what they really are, mental viruses, and know the danger of careless consumption. As we have become more health conscious, we will also become more mental health conscious.
We’ll see products of journalism like bottled water, avoid reading/eating things off the ground, and see eaters of biased or mutated news as inbred rednecks. Those who can afford to pay, that is.
As usual, I am exaggerating. Not quite hyperbole but enough force to kickstart pointless thinking.





dbt 2:39 am on March 2, 2009 Permalink
I think the uptick rule is foolish, and I’m generally very pro-regulation-of-finance.
donpark 3:57 am on March 2, 2009 Permalink
Foolish or not, I don’t think the desirable effect is deniable.
Anyway, just noticed that Asia closed 3-4% down and Europe currently down as much and looking to do worse so what I was afraid of might have already started. Oh, well.
Joshua Allen 8:09 am on March 3, 2009 Permalink
I’m still betting on 5000 or below (http://twitter.com/allenjs/status/1028340694), but it appears that Obama wants it to be slow and volatile. I expect a few big rallies of 100 points or more before it finally drops through 6000.
I just wish we’d get the damned deleveraging over with.
donpark 11:58 am on March 3, 2009 Permalink
Good call there Joshua. There is growing consensus lately on 5000/500 being the bottom although I frankly doubt it won’t reach that far down. 6000/600 is vulnerable, of course.
BTW, I am going to ignore today’s bounce which is not convincing enough, not even to qualify as a technical bounce.