Whoknows or remembers the song“Video killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles? If only they knew in 1979 how relevant their song would be 2010. Since then CDs have killed records and tapes, DVDs have killed TV; now BlueRay is killing DVDs, MP3s are killing CDs and digital media is killing print media.
Ask yourself (many of you may not even know what these are), where is the 8-tracktape, or the audio cassette or the VHS or the vinyl record?) Extinct! Where is the pager, typewriter, zip drives, and floppy discs? Extinct! All extinct? Here's a cool blog to see more: web designer depot. What other once popular devices can you think of that are now extinct? To me it exemplifies that with evolution comes extinction – living proof of the theory of Creative Destruction.The president has been set.…
Internet killed the print media star?
I say yes, and here's why:
Sure we know how popular things like Kindle have become for downloading books and yes we hear of bastions of the newspaper industry going out of print or about the recent massive layoffs, right here in Florida, of another string of Miami-Herald employees -- leaving one to wonder about the fate of your Sunday delivery. So the question about the future of non-internet media is: will it be completely replaced; will it too become extinct?
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| the real reason dinosaurs became extinct... |
All these mentioned items that have become extinct were because of an evolution of improved technology. So in the instance of newspapers, where the Internet is the improved technology for accessing news on a global scale, in real time, I would say yes the newspaper has become a dinosaur, and in five to 10 years we'll be saying "remember when…?" The newspaper has simply lost relevance in a digital world. Added to which newspapers make their money primarily from advertising sales and to a lesser extent product and subscription sales. If advertisers see no benefit in positioning their ads in papers and readers stop purchasing in favor of the online option then without a doubt newspapers will join the ranks of the extinct. Added to this are the high production and distribution costs for papers and magazines as compared to the cost of the digital option, this alone will usher in its fate. People have other options now for obtaining information in a more dynamic format that’s convenient and affordable (even free). BUT (yes there’s a but) as far as books becoming obsolete, I don’t think they’re on the way out just yet. Digital books are convenient but I actually prefer the feel of turning the crisp pages of a new novel, nicely bound in its cheesy glossy cover, over staring and squinting at my computer or iPod screen. And for studying, I want a hard copy to streak with fluorescent highlighters and scribble notes, a digital book could never replace that for me. Of course I’m not everyone, which do you prefer?
Internet killed the TV and celluloid stars?
I say yes to TV, no to movies (at least for now) and here's why:
The best thing that ever happened to TV is DVR and online options like Hulu. I can watch my favorite series (and there aren’t many) without a zillion annoying commercials. What does this mean for TV’s business model? Will advertisers continue to produce million dollar commercials and then spend as much for placements that are going unnoticed to audiences that are choosing other mediums? Probably not, and TV as we know it will be radically changed. I'm sure we can all think of various reasons but part of enjoying and experiencing movies is actually going to the cinema and watching it on the larger than life screen with family/friends and nothing can replace that. Avatar on your iPad just isn’t the same as in 3D on Imax; now that’s entertainment!
Do you like the prospect of the newspaper becoming extinct? I can't really tell from your post. I, for one, have no problem with newspapers halting production completely and focusing solely on internet articles. Could you imagine the amount of resources we would save if even just a single newspaper's production halted? If this revolution does what people are "afraid" of, then our carbon footprint while be severely reduced.
ReplyDeleteOn another note: Do you really not have many favorite series'? I think there are more great TV programs now than ever before. TV now is far too good than it rightfully should be.
the newspaper's extinction is a double-edged sword there will be both good and bad that will come from it. i appreciate the good and lament the bad.
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a TV person, I prefer to read...
While I agree that the facts show how technology is changing the way people want to seek information, I wouldn't say the newspaper itself is a dying medium. It's simply the channel in which newspaper companies are presenting their information. People don't have the time in today's society to walk or drive to the local news stand to pick up this week's/today's copy.
ReplyDeleteIn an age when everything is handed to us the moment we want it, or even before we want it in some instances, these companies need to rethink how people seek information.
I think it's important that you also note how blogs, social media and podcasts are the biggest movers-and-shakers in information today. When people seek information, they want to see news that relates to their background, their job or where they come from; information has become a personalized, customized service. Not unlike Hulu, which you mentioned - you pick and choose the shows you want to watch. They even ask you your interests, and show you advertisements catered to those interests!