A Newspaper Online Isn't a Newspaper

October 20, 2008 by Anonymous

Such a shame.

I like black ink on my fingertips, and I don't buy the reasoning (for Cougar News' transition from print to online). You see, I've been teaching for 40 years, and I've seen this movie before. It won't save money, and the students will not be served--they'll be pushed further into their own little hovel. Students want to sit around, drink coffee, and point at the newspaper.

Driving eveyone to the computer is a money thing--it ain't about nothing but that. "I see, will call it 'Green' and it will SELL."

I've enjoyed the publication and admire what you've started, but, knowing me, I'll never look it up on the computer (but I picked it up every time on the news stand and read it from front to back), and I believe many students will do the same.

It's not "community" on a computer because there's no ink on your fingers, no smell of coffee, and no essence of that person--whether it be that girl you want to kiss, or that boy you want to hold hands with, or that professor that you think just might teach you something that will enlighten your pathway to a finer life.

Well, I'm glad I got that off my chest--thanks for "listening."

--Gordon Brooks
Retired Columbus State professor