Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Money for nothing

An incoming email poses a very important question.  How much would YOU pay for public information?

Dear LONESTAR,
What is your experience with the media and the idea of paid subscriptions to web sites? We are spoiled having received all this goodness for free we are disinclined to pay for it now.

I would like to read your take on the matter. Is the Star Telegram still doing electronic subscriptions? The Wall Street Journal does too.

http://www.cagle.com/news/mayan-calendar-2/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_content=cartoon-comment&utm_campaign=122112

 Looks like a another site is going to subscription  As I flipped through about page 5 of the cartoons on a subject, I received notice of subscription request.

Dear Information Seekers, It seems that one at time more and more electronic media gateways are closing to the public at large. Remember when the Internet Service Providers were held as the keepers of keys to the vast wealth of knowledge that the Internet could offer? The warning was that access to information would become a commodity available to only those who could pay the price. It seems the annoying ads for revenue are no longer enough. Subscription access to web sites is another way the money will expand the wedge between the citizens of this country. The haves and the haves nots. The educated and the uneducated. Those with opportunity and those without.

 Our forefathers knew the importance of the free flow and distribution of information. In the earliest days of our Nation the Post Office all newspapers enjoyed free postage as an effort to unite our nation and encourage publication. Even today newspapers are offered nominal postage rates. See ya in the funny papers.

No comments: