As I logged onto the Internet this morning to read the relevant stories on my Yahoo.com page, there were several articles pertaining to the death of Michael Jackson. In my opinion, he died far too young leaving behind many to grieve especially his family which includes three children.
His death is being felt world-wide where people from all corners of this planet are coming out to grieve and say goodbye to the ‘King of Pop’. Many did not know him, yet felt connected to Jackson who grew up in front of millions and became an icon.
This out pouring of grief is truly a phenomenon as are other historic events that have taken place within our lifetimes. While we may not know the subject, often we want some thing to keep for generations to come. It helps us to say to future generations: “I know where I was when the death of Michael Jackson occurred” and be able to hold up a memento.
These mementos are newspapers and magazines. Over time, the Internet has pushed many newspapers out of business which I find truly sad. This intangible world cannot be saved to help future generations understand an important story or one of historical relevance such as the election of President Barack Obama; the first African-American president, unless one has a printer.
Still, a printer cannot compare to the print medium. This ethereal world known as the Internet while reporting on key stories; one may not be able to find them in the future. How many times have you gone back to read an article pertaining to an event only to read: “File not found” or where a web site is no longer in existence? I know personally since my former blog marymacelveen.com is no longer online.
But your newspapers and magazines are the premier force of information since they are tangible and where people can save the front covers of them. While yellowed over time, I still have a few Newsday covers as they reported on the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton. Somehow, I thought it important to save. It is history.
In looking over the photos attached to Jackson’s death, I noticed several where fans from India were holding up newspapers. India is not a rich country and one where poverty reigns. While a child in that country may not have access to a computer, they do have access to a newspapers. In purchasing that newspaper, they will forever have their own personal memento to remember Michael Jackson. Also, newspapers and magazines as I have reported in the past are far more democratic where they are available to everyone.
If you are poor, no matter which country you reside in, the Internet may not be accessible to you since the cost of computers, software, ISP subscriptions come with a hefty price. Also, one must remember it takes electricity to power one’s computer. Should one’s power be lost due to any circumstance, so goes one’s connection to the Internet. What happens if one’s server goes down or becomes overloaded as Twitter.com often does? Newspapers and magazines are a frugal way of obtaining information. It may not be up-to-the-minute or second news, but it is still news which costs a fraction of one’s connection to the Internet.
As we keep hearing of job-losses in this country, all I ask is that you help save the jobs of those who work for the print medium by purchasing a newspaper. If you were a fan of Michael Jackson, in your hands you have your own memento to save throughout the ages. Those who work for the print medium go to work day-after-day so you can have your own piece of history to show future generations.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
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