Sunday newspapers have been elevated to ritual among many of us print junkies, but the disappearing sections (my well-loved Washington Post Book World for example), the disappearing newspapers for that matter have left many of us scratching our heads a bit. Is this the inevitable replacement of one form of information sharing with another? Are the print versions of these publications at risk of slipping away because they ceased to re-invent themselves as readership sensibilities morphed into visually oriented, short byte appetites? Are they just too expensive to produce compared with the relatively small cost and green benefits of digital versions?
Along comes the fine folks at McSweeney's (Dave Egger's small literary magazine turned independent publisher that embraces whimsy, well-chosen words, fine design and nuttiness) to say that this need not be. There is room for both print and internet publications, but the newspaper must do what the internet cannot if it wants a seat at the table. To illustrate their point, next month they are publishing a one-shot deal newspaper, The San Francisco Panorama. A "huge and luxurious broadsheet," the Panorama has brought together the work of the best designers, writers and artists of all kinds. Just check this out if you are skeptical. An "omg moment" as my middle schooler would say.
It will be delivered automatically to McSweeney's subscribers, available in bookstores around the country, and may be purchased directly from the publisher. First week of December. Now some of you may be saying that this looks fantastic but is not a practical answer to the issue at hand - the disappearance of print media. It is not intended as an example of what might be published on a daily basis though. It is an over-the-top illustration of what newspapers might be. Of the types of things they can do that the internet cannot. Print is not disappearing. It is being given a grand opportunity to re-invent itself, to return itself to art form. Or at least that is my belief. How do you weigh in on the topic?
Today I will finally be picking up Susan Hill's Howard's End Is On the Landing. And doing a little blog housekeeping. Have not really kept well-updated of late. The stuff of life dictates the schedule. What will you be reading in the Sunday Salon today?