And They Laughed at the USA Today

From 1983-1993 we ran a summer two-week programme to teach the fundamentals of economics to journalists (opportunity costs, anyone?). During that era, many of the participants sneered at the upstart USA Today, citing its lack of depth and over-reliance on short articles, photos, and graphics.
Oops. Look what's happening to the Washington Post: (link via Drudge)

In an effort to win new readers, Downie said Post reporters will be required to write shorter stories. The paper's design and copy editors will be given more authority to make room for more photographs and graphics.

The paper will undergo a redesign to make it easier for readers to find stories. It is considering filling the left-hand column of the front page with keys to stories elsewhere in the paper and other information readers say they want from the paper, which they often consider "too often too dull," Downie said.

Consumer sovereignty is a very powerful economic force, whether we like it or not.

If you like comedies and are interested in journalism, Ben (my socionomist friend) highly recommends The Front Page.