Science Fiction
I’m a long-time subscriber of The Wall Street Journal. It’s an important tool for Wife Rhetorica’s business. I simply enjoy a good newspaper.
I was horrified when Rupert Murdoch bought it. I may have been less than optimistic about his stewardship. But, for the most part, I think The Wall Street Journal remains a great paper, and, in some ways, it may even be a better paper (although the copy editing has slipped of late).
One disappointing change: The A-head story — those long, well-written features in the center of the front page — are now shorter and pushed to the bottom of the page. But the topics remain fascinating.
Take today’s feature for example — a little bit of science fiction. Apparently some Russian professor thinks the U.S. will be breaking up soon following a civil war. There’s even a nifty map showing in what “republics” the various states will end up. I was relieved to see Missouri will escape the Texas Republic (controlled by Mexico) and will end up in the North-Central American Republic (controlled by Canada). Whew! Dodged a bullet there. I feel sorry for Mexico, however.
What’s disappointing here is that this story would have been more fully reported in the old Wall Street Journal, i.e. some more background and context to understand the hows and whys of such ideas in the Russian mind. Yes, you get a bit of it. But it’s skimpy.
I mourn the loss of the old A-head stories. The rest of the paper, however, is looking pretty good.
Still no permalinks on comments?
I was wondering if one of (many) problems facing the newspaper industry is the mismatch between situated and invented ethos. What a newspaper claims it does and what it actually does.
In a way, I think Murdoch’s media success with readers/listeners/viewers is narrowing that gap in a more realistic rather than idealistic way.
Tim… I think you may be onto something there. My wife and I talked about the WSJ this morning before I wrote the entry, and what she said follows exactly your contention.
I swear I’ll get permalinks implemented soon — before the end of the week.
re: what she said
Well, Andy, then you know I MUST be right!
I’m honored to be in synch with your better half.
Tim… I won’t argue with either of you