* It’s news to no one that daily newspapers have an ongoing challenge–technological and cultural–in this society. That was more than manifest on the day after the greatest World Series finale ever, when the Tampa Bay Times had to feature a front-page, win-or-lose, feature on Joe Maddon because the results of game 7 were not known at press time. (Then the following morning, it had to work around no results from the Bucs-Falcons game at Ray-Jay.)
Sometimes deadlines and press runs and related expenses have to be in play so that morning-after coverage of notable news interest doesn’t look incongruously like yesterday’s news. Print folks don’t need to provide any more rationales for consumers to further forsake their reading habits.
*So the Gawker–Hulk Hogan case has finally been settled. Enough of the disgusting, over-the-top chronicling of voyeur vulgarity that was not about journalism or a legitimate First Amendment issue. Some things you don’t want–or need–to read about–even if they are accorded front-page, above-the-fold status.
*Seasonal signs: Temperatures dipping. Leaves dropping. Halloween trick or treating. Thanksgiving counting down. And mail including GANDERmtn. fliers and gift-card offers to remind us that “The Hunt is On.” Although what you hunt with a semi-auto handgun seems disquieting.