Given his simplicity, many would still think Shanmu Uncle is an outdated person. But only his closest circle would knew how updated he is.
I had always wondered how updated he is. He has a PC at his house, but rarely saw him using it.
—–
I remembered him quoting
“Newspaper publishers in developing markets are living on borrowed time.”
—-
“I think Internet is the decline of Newspapers.”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“But Uncle, don’t you think that there are lot of misinformation and rumors being spread across the internet?”
“Point Agreed.”
Looks like Uncle seems to be less interested.
“Actually, I was wondering how come you are so updated ?”
“Ok. Why do you say that Internet has declined the Print growth ?”
“Well, With exponential growth of Technologies, there is an increasing number of people who could afford at least a smartphone and also have an affordable access to internet. With the help of APPS and RSS feed, one could get instant flash news from the web. Who would want to have Yesterday’s news when they could get Instant News within a button’s click ?”
“But most of the leading newspaper have their own websites, mobile apps and have millions of followers on Facebook. The Local Newspapers could reach a wide diaspora. You still think Internet has declined Newspapers growth. I don’t think so.”
“Are you suggesting that Newspaper would still survive?”
“Not exactly. But all I am suggesting is that it wouldn’t disappear overnight. The challenge for newspaper publishers is figuring out how to use the Web to make up for the decline in print revenue. No-one has got the model right yet. Paid subscription models don’t work as people have become accustomed to getting their news free. And advertising is not making up the shortfall. For many millions of people, especially those born before 1980, the thought of replacing a newspaper with an electronic gadget or a computer screen does not sit well. But to younger people as comfortable online as they are offline, buying a newspaper is almost a foreign concept. Young people are shunning newspapers and that, ultimately, will lead to their demise. It might take 15 or 20 years, but it will happen.”
“So, How come you are so updated?”
“I think, it might be because of my profession. Being a professor, it is always necessary not only to update yourself but also to have a constant touch with the students. Just like your newsfeed which narrows down your interests automatically, I would narrow down my interests and search accordingly. If it is important to me, I always have worked out a way to find it.”
“What about the misinformation? Do you think that the spreading of rumors has increased with the Internet?”
“Rumors always exist. Yes, Internet is one of the primary medium for instant spreading of rumors but it is also the one that connects millions of people within seconds. And the best example is happening right now … #ChennaiRainsHelp”
————-
Written by S G A Thomas
ONE COMMENT