What The Papers Say

[poliphilo]

Every morning I flip through the papers online. I read the Guardian, Times, Independent and Telegraph. In spite of being an old lefty I find I enjoy the right-wing Telegraph most of all.  It has the best stories. Today it has a piece (plus fun video) on Spore- the new, evolutionary, universe-building game from the guy who created the Sims. I don't play games, but if I did I'd make a bee-line for this one.

The Guardian was my paper of choice for decades. These days its bossy earnestness gets on my tits. It's the most poltical of the four papers- the most ideological.

The Times and the Independent are less highly flavoured, less distinct.  I'm wary of the Times because of Rupert Murdoch's ownership, but it hosts my favourite columnist, Matthew Parris.  The Indy is a less strident version of the Guardian. I'm spinning the  wheels to try to think of something I particularly value it for, but nothing comes up.

To tell the truth, all four are much of a muchness. They usually agree on their main stories. Sometimes the Indy will pursue a story that's off the radar for the other three. So, there- that's what's special about it.

First thing I wanted to know this morning was how Andy Murray had fared against Federer in New York. He lost.

Here's another tit-bit  from the Telegraph. It's a story about top-ten lists, comparing today's top tens with the top-tens of twenty years ago. Tokyo is still the world's largest city (dubious distinction if you ask me) but New York has been bumped from the #2 position by Seoul and now stands at #4.  The most popular names in Britain at this point in time are Jack and Grace. 20 years ago they were the Biblical Daniel and Rebecca. I can understand Jack- there are Jacks all over popular culture right now- but why Grace? What exactly am I missing?

Comments

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

In the days when I used to see all the papers at work, we reckoned that the Indie had the best print quality: its pictures were clearer, and the ink didn't come off on your hands. Since the Grauniad's redesign, that may no longer give it the edge...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I rarely handle a newspaper IRL these days. I was looking at Ruth's Sunday Times the other day- and my parents in law give me the Daily Mail to use as rabbit litter (which is about all it's good for).

[saare-snowqueen.livejournal.com]

I read the Groaniad and The Times daily - or at least skip through the headlines as well as the BBC on-line. I agree about the left wing earnestness of the G - but it's good for a laugh - sometimes - I also like the Foodie section. The Times has consistently the best Book pages and for an author that's important.

I also get the New York Times for the 'over there' slant on things and The Village Voice. Some part of me still misses the Rotten Apple.

Isn't the Internet wonderful?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I use http://www.aldaily.com/ as my home page- which gives me links to all the quality English language newspapers and magazines in the world.

Yes, the Internet is wonderful!

[dakegra.livejournal.com]

I like the Guardian's crossword, though rarely pick it up these days - occasionally on saturday if we're passing somewhere which sells papers. We get K's parents old newspapers for guinea pig litter, and it's interesting to skim through them from time to time.

LB's middle name is Grace. I rather like it. I get to call her Gracie Grumble when she's being grumpy.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

My mother does the Telegraph crossword. If we're visiting she runs off copies on her printer and we sit at the kitchen table competing to see who can finish it first.

Grace is a very pretty name, but I'm surprised to learn it's the height of fashion.

[nostoi.livejournal.com]

I read the Telegraph the other day and with its stories of Archie the labrador who had a stick caught in his throat and the pandas who were rescued from an earthquake it felt like the big brother of local papers. The Guardian I've always found to be up its own backside, the Times is okay and the Indy is okay. Okay as in hmm, well, if you forced me to buy any of the four, I suppose I'd get these.

I find it difficult to read news of any kind, there's always some kind of spin and that puts me off. Al Jazeera is very good (as these things go) if you want to see some non-UK/US dominated world news.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I missed Archie the labrador. I usually skip past stories like that.

It used to be said that the Telegraph had more "pure" news in it than any other British paper. I don't know if this is still the case

You're right about bias, of course.

[wyrmwwd.livejournal.com]

I checked out Spore. I think I am going to stay away from it for now. I am already addicted to The Sims. I don't need another new drug. (But it does look awesome, though)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I keep away from games for much the same reason. I'm afraid I'd get hooked and never do anything else.

[wyrmwwd.livejournal.com]

I allow time in my week to get my "fix". It is a great stress reliever for me, though. I almost never play any other than The Sims. Something about the music, colors, environment, and humor I find very calming.

[chochiyo-sama.livejournal.com]

I like building the houses and designing the people the most.

HATE their clothing options though.

What the hell were those people thinking????

[saskia139.livejournal.com]

My friend annlarimer has been playing Spore and posting pictures of her creature creations. They're pretty neat.

I can get obsessive about Windows Solitaire, myself, so I avoid gambling and online games with equal devotion.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I like those critters of hers. Especially the ugly chicken.

Maybe I'll become a gamer in old age- when I'm in the care home

[nostoi.livejournal.com]

Ditto re: Solitaire. I avoid games as much as possible!

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

I went to Target to check on Spore.

It costs $50.

But I want it!

Guess I'll wait till it's $25.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

That's a lot.

But I think it could be worth it. Hours of innocent fun....

[alice-g.livejournal.com]

Just enjoyed a lovely day with you! Thanks xx

Jack and the beanstalk - Jack - cute, hardworking, kind?
Grace - not a bad name. Big Brother housed a nutter called Grace in the past few years. Maybe we feel the need for more Grace in our world - it is something that I believe we are lacking. Grace has been replaced by drunk, drunker and dis-grace-ful.
One of my best mates a Philippino heritage young woman is called Reina Gracie Illarde- translates Queen Gracie Illarde-What a name!!!!! I think that rocks!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It was great. Thank you both so much. XXX

The only Grace I've ever known was a very dignified lady called Grace Albison whose daughter used to babysit you guys when we were living in the vicarage. Maybe you remember her?