It was an unexpected announcement that put fear into the hearts of men.
The Birmingham News was going to publish three days a week.
As October 1, 2012 approached there were predictions of pandemonium.
It was going to be like the ten plagues of Egypt:
- Lice
- Flies
- Incurable boils
- Locusts
- Death of first-born
- No daily newspaper
Grown men and women contemplated throwing themselves in front of speeding buses.
Alabama media group was depicted as evil.
Birmingham was described as a second rate city because it had no daily.
I was also fearful. I’ve read The Birmingham News almost every day of my adult life and this was going to be a life changing event—like getting married or having children.
Then came the first day with no delivery…
Monday October 1st: No newspaper–sun rose anyway.
Tuesday October 2nd: No newspaper—I still seem to have a pulse.
Wednesday October 3rd: Newspaper delivered, but I forgot to go outside and get it.
I immediately discovered there are many productive things I could do in the morning other than read the paper.
So how have I adjusted?
I read the al.com and Birmingham Business Journal e-mails everyday; I continue to read the paper newspaper—but at my convenience; when out of town I read The Birmingham News on my iPad. I still take great pleasure in reading the paper version of the Sunday Birmingham News.
What about you? How has no daily newspaper affected your life?
David Sher is a partner in Buzz12 Marketing. You can read more of his posts by looking for the “David Sher Posts” category in the sidebar of Buzz12’s website.