Why read a newspaper

 

Photo by Lina Kivaka_Pexel

Who still reads a newspaper every morning? Maybe not many, as today's fast-paced lifestyle leaves little room for such a luxury. Most people would probably trade that time for an extra 15 minutes of sleep, preferring to catch up on the latest news on their smartphones instead. While this shift is evident, it's worth noting the rich history of newspapers, which you'll find explored at the end of this article.

The Thirst for News is Eternal. Human beings have always craved news, likely since the dawn of civilization. In ancient times, people would gather in town squares or marketplaces to learn what was happening in their communities. With the advent of newspapers, news became more accessible, delivered directly to people's doorsteps. However, in our current era, how many readers take the time to delve beyond the headlines, especially when the stories are about celebrations where everything went as planned? The real draw often seems to be the bad and sad news that dominates the prime real estate of the paper.

The Dark Allure of Tragic News attracts like magnets. Newspapers excel at packing the world's tragedies onto their front pages, prioritizing the most gruesome stories while often relegating more positive or local news to the sidelines. Yet, even with this focus, newspapers are losing out—to the visuals of equally tragic events on social media. Today's common person seems to value the views and opinions of fellow citizens more than those of journalists or editors. Editorials, often with clear bias and designed to polarize, do little to bridge the divides within our society.

The Advertisements can be exciting but when it's repeated it is an Annoyance. Another bothersome trend is the increasing number of full-page adverts on both the front and back covers of newspapers, which readers are forced to pay for. In contrast, social media platforms, while not without their own drawbacks, offer news at no extra cost, and ads can be skipped after a few seconds.

The Future of News Consumption is uncertain. The thirst for news will never go away. If people don't find it in newspapers, they'll seek it elsewhere. We are in a period of disruption, and in a decade or two, the dust will settle, and a new, more permanent source of news will evolve.

The Decline of Print media has started. Change is the only constant in the universe, and the same holds true for human habits. It’s not surprising that the circulation of printed newspapers, tabloids, and magazines is declining. Perhaps in the next decade, only limited editions of paper versions will be available, and those too will be highly embellished, catering to a niche audience—people with a taste for gold nib fountain pens, mechanical watches, and cars with manual drives. But who knows?

Your Choice: Ink or Digital?

Ultimately, the choice is yours. You can embrace the ink-stained pages with their depth and analysis, or dive into the digital ocean, navigating its currents with a discerning mind. Either way, in this new era of information, the responsibility lies with us, the readers, to become informed citizens, sifting truth from fiction and shaping our own understanding of the world, byte by byte or page by page.

A Brief History of Newspapers

Rudimentary newspapers appeared in many European countries in the 17th century, and broadsheets with social news were published in Japan during the Tokugawa period (1603–1867). The first English corantos appeared in London in 1621. By the 1640s, the news book had evolved into the newspaper, with the title page being dropped. Sweden passed the first law guaranteeing freedom of the press in 1766.

In the early 19th century, newspaper circulation was in the low thousands. Rising literacy rates and technological advances in mechanical typesetting, high-speed printing (rotary press), communications (telegraph and telephone), and transport (railway) enabled newspapers to broaden their appeal and reduce prices. For example, The Times increased its circulation from 5,000 in 1815 (at a price of seven pence) to 50,000 by the mid-19th century (at five pence).

Architecture: Balancing Idealism with Real-World Demands

Nothing can be more inspiring for a budding architect than listening to a successful designer explaining designing as “an opportunity for magical realism, where things are at once familiar but different. Where arches bow, and the door handles reach out to shake your hand as you approach the space.”

As the architecture students progress through their semesters, they are eager to join the world of professional designers and deliver something unique, something mesmerising. They want to believe that “architecture isn’t just methodology and science; it’s a chance to invent another reality.” However, the reality that awaits them on the other side of university can be quite different from what they have been dreaming of for the past five years.

The idealist will argue that “architecture can’t always be practised as a formula. It’s also an art form that can be infused with personality and emotion.” But in the real world, where project abundance lies, the personality and emotion in question belong to the people who call the shots—the developers!

In the world of development, there are no “seamless blends of fantasy and reality.” The only things that blend seamlessly are demand and supply, and the focus is on who can place the right product in the market before others. What sells most, matters most and what sells today at a premium might have to sell at a discount tomorrow! Drenched in romanticism, the young architect dreams to mingle the “whiffs of once upon a time with hints of tomorrow,” but the market wants the scent of today with the assurance of the day after tomorrow.

Being in the industry for some time now, this is what I have observed. Developers like the master chefs want to maintain the core recipe of a successful or signature dish. If they were fortunate to discover the magic sauce, why mess with that except for a very high level variation.  Here are the five cardinal rules any successful developer adopts for their commercial residential market offerings:

1. Unit Size & mix: Study the target audience and establish the ticket price to arrive at the right unit sizes. Maintain the mix that sells. Typically Studio: 5%; 1 Bedroom: 40%;   2 Bedrooms: 45%; and 3-4 Bedrooms/ penthouses etc: 10%; 

2. Design repetition: Retain the core of a successful design, making only minimal adjustments.

3. Prime views: If one room can face the sea, it must be the living room.

4. Maximise typical floors: More typical floors mean more efficient construction, easy for the sales team.

5. Minimise variation: Less variation in unit types simplifies the construction process, joinery & modular units and appeals to a broader market.

Understanding of each of these rules is crucial for meeting market demands and striking the right balance to ensure commercial success of a project. Details could be the subject for another post and for another day.

While this practical approach may seem disheartening to young architects, it’s essential to understand that creativity and market demands can coexist. Balancing the artistic vision of architecture with the practical demands of the market is a challenging yet essential skill for evolution as a successful professional. By understanding both perspectives, young architects can navigate their careers more effectively and find ways to infuse creativity within the boundaries of reality.

I also post in the LinkedIn page below:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/architecture-balancing-idealism-real-world-demands-suman-2njif

Art in My Room: A Journey Beyond Matching Curtains

Art is a profound form of expression, a medium through which artists convey emotions, stories, and perspectives. It’s not merely an aesthetic addition to our living spaces; it’s meant to resonate with our innermost feelings and spark reflection. When we buy a piece of art from an artist, we're not just purchasing a decorative item; we’re investing in a journey filled with experimentation, failures, and triumphs. By looking deeper into the art, we can appreciate that path.

Art’s primary purpose is to connect with us on a deeper level. It’s not confined to the limitations of matching our home decor or blending seamlessly with our furniture. Instead, it should provoke thought, evoke emotions, and speak to our soul. Whether it’s a vibrant painting, a poignant sculpture, or an intricate piece of digital art, its value lies in its ability to communicate beyond words.

Every brushstroke, every chisel mark, and every pixel represents hours of dedication, experimentation, and, often, failure. Artists pour their hearts into their work, and each piece is a culmination of their experiences, skills, and emotions. When we commission an artist to create an art piece for us, it brings together pieces of two hearts, and magic happens. By acquiring art, we’re supporting this creative process and valuing the unique narrative each artist brings to their craft. It also ensures that they will continue their passion and contribute to the cultural tapestry of our society.

While it’s tempting to choose art that complements our home decor, we should consider the stories and emotions that each piece holds. Art can transform a space by adding depth and character that goes beyond color coordination. It can inspire conversations, evoke nostalgia, and even challenge our perceptions. The true beauty of art lies in its ability to transcend the visual and tap into the emotional and intellectual realms.

The next time we consider purchasing a piece of art, let’s look beyond its aesthetic appeal and appreciate the story, effort, and emotions embedded within. Let our spaces be a reflection of the profound connections that art can foster and celebrate the creativity and dedication of the artists who bring these pieces to life.