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...

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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)

[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.

[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.