I love the scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, circa back in my callow youth, where they were collecting bodies from the ‘Black Death’.  If they weren’t dead, a quick bonk to the head speeded up the process.  I think in today’s media world we are seeing this played out over and over again.  I confess I had bought into this talk, but I think there is still some life ‘in the old girl yet.’

What gives me hope is that baby whom cover the industry are starting to see the patterns that are evolving that show some various tracks key newspapers are taking to ensure their survivability. My favorite is from Alan Mutter of Newsosaur who in his recent article “What’s Next for Newspapers”  highlighted three paths that could offer some hope for newspapers and newspaper staffs who are looking for some relief.

Alan’s three possible paths to the future he labels as: Farm It, Milk It and Feed It.  He has plausible representations for each, and it makes for a great read.  This has been made all the more urgent in trying to move towards a recognizable future for newspapers with the decision of Rupert Murdoch to split his media empire into two segments – print and everything else.  That news was met with a round of – “it’s abut time” and the blessings of the market with an upturn.  If anyone really understands the future of media it is Rupert Murdoch.  Whatever sentiment he had for his holdings was dashed with cold water after the media circus in England that has stained his reputation.  His head is now ruling his heart…and his pocketbook.

In the next post I’ll start reviewing these options, and perhaps have some additional ones to through on the discussion pile.  Back soon…now for a viewing of Monty Python on my iPad ap.  A great bargain for a few bucks, and a few moments with some lively songs and the Knights Who Say Nea always leaving me smiling.