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Rapidly Changing Technology
By John W. Kennedy | March 27, 2008
I continue to be amazed at the rapidly changing times in which we live. Technology is turning how we live and work upside down. TPE is trying with its variety of staff blogs and podcasts that tie in with the weekly periodical that has been published for 95 years.
A Pew Research Center study last week reported that a majority of both national and local journalists believe finances are the most important problem facing news organizations. The specific challenge of trying to make a profit from Web journalism is a key concern for those working in print media.
While most journalists think Internet-driven innovations such as blog comment posts, video streaming and news aggregating sites have benefited the state of journalism, economic realities are striking. There have been staff layoffs at more than 80 percent of local newspapers in the past three years.
Of course it’s not just journalism taking a hit. Bookstores, travel agents, video rental stores and real estate firms, to name a few, have been profoundly impacted by the Internet. Consumers looking for music, books, flights and property have discovered they can bypass the retail giants and professionals, finding what they need online by themselves.
I’ve noticed this the past couple of times I’ve visited the local massive Border’s store. The chain has turned out book titles facing frontward in an effort to drum up business. It doesn’t seem to have much impact. Only one cashier is needed because the customers are so sparse.
The challenge for booksellers, real estate agents, magazines and others is to adapt to the changing times. Border’s tries to entice me with a 30 percent off coupon every week. For now, that keeps me coming back.
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April 3rd, 2008 at 8:10 am
The “handwriting is on the wall” is what a lot of employed people must be thinking as their businesses and jobs become as outmoded as buggy whips. My former corporation, Hallmark Cards, after decades of growth, is stuck in neutral for the past 10 to 15 years. The other shoe is dropping slowly as the younger generation communicates with new technologies. Not much fun for employees, with all the emphasis on reducing staff and costs. Glad to be retired so I do not have to reinvent myself to continue to earn a living.