News blues

One of the tough realities about the news media is that while journalistic ideals dictate that you try to inform the public about important things – things they need to know about – what pays the bills is reporting things they want to know about. Although the latter might be interesting, it’s generally unimportant. Still, without the money from advertising and/or subscriptions brought in from popular subjects, it’s tough to cover those truly significant things. And given a media outlet’s limited resources – reporters, money, page space, air time, real time, etc. – you’ll eventually have to make a trade-off between a substantial story people should read and a fluff piece people will read.\nWhile the lighter piece might be fun to peruse and lucrative to publish, someone has to stand up and do his civic duty of giving you a helping of newsy nutrition to balance against all the junk food. Thus, I’ve unearthed a story that slipped between the cracks, something you probably missed, but which nevertheless is of critical relevance to you, your family, your country and the entire world: \nDid you know that this week – on Sunday, June 10, 2007, to be precise – HBO aired the series finale of “The Sopranos”? \nYes, while most of the news media was distracting you with its exhaustive coverage of shallow, sexier fare, such as the congressional battle over the Bush Administration’s immigration reform bill or the allegations that the Iranian government is secretly arming the Taliban, many of you missed learning that millions of viewers tuned in to a premium cable channel Sunday night to witness the conclusion of an eight-year, six-season story about a New Jersey mob boss and his dysfunctional family.\nNot only did you neglect this critical turning point in our shared history – indeed, possibly the culmination of 3,000 years of Western Civilization – you’re also missing out on the debates about some of the great questions of our time: Were you satisfied with the ending? What will the cast do now? Will there be a movie?\nSome of the more cynical among you might be asking, “So what? What does this have to do with me?” But you have to understand: 98 percent of American households have television sets. Nielsen Media Research estimates that in 2005-2006, the average individual viewer watched four hours and 35 minutes of TV per day. Meanwhile, Google Answers estimates that there are 8.6 million installed water coolers in the United States, a penetration rate of 29 per 1,000 people. The Sopranos finale had about 12 million viewers – an unknown, but probably considerable number of whom have access to water coolers and might just want to talk. You can see where I’m heading – the implications are mind-boggling. You must hurry up and educate yourself about this vital topic before you find yourself without a voice, shut off from the pulse of global culture.\nOh, and by the way, just in case you missed this, too: Paris Hilton went back to jail.