The return of the paperboy
NYC’s free newspapers, Metro and AM New York, have resurrected a chummy memory of the 1930’s: the talking newspaper, or the paperboy. Newspapers usually remain mute, sitting on newsstands, bookstore racks or milk crates outside a deli or bodega. They lost their human liaison of the 1930’s, a time when we relied more on human interaction to learn of local and global events, to discern our individual and collective experiences, and when information downloads were less a private affair than a community one.
But walking out of the subway in the morning recently, I’m hearing not just the hustle of Metro versus AM and the advertiser of the day who happens to be sponsoring the news… Now I’m hearing clips from what you read inside. And I time travel back to the 1930’s. I feel a momentary connection to the news bearer. It is pleasing because besides reminding me of the chumminess of the old newsboys, it forces me back to the collective world of news and not just my office-based and personal one.
For a history of newsboys, the Depression and the marketing scheme that helped bring it to be, read: Masculine guidance: boys, men, and newspapers, 1930-1939 Postol Enterprise Soc.2000; 1: 355-390 .
For an early history of newspaper publishing in New York, “The Early History of Newspaper Publishing in New York State”
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I agree I love the idea of newspapers! I kinda wish they’d scream “extra extra read all about it!” Although I do wish they had newspaper recyling at all subway stations n street corner, but the idea of something off the fu*king internet that brings it back to the basics warms my heart. Even though I had a tramatic experience (of course) with taking over my brothers paper route in elementary school, I still love this concept too. Obviously we lived in the suburbs and I’d say it was honestly one of the hardest jobs ever. Many a days I rode my bike home in tears. The fu*king paper bag is heavy!!! My little magenta bike n shorter than average body made it tough. Then you had to go door to door to collect the $ every month… it was not much cause the damn paper was $0.50 per day M-F. People were cruel! Mad cause they didn’t have the $ when I came so I would go 2-4 times to collect. I mean they owed the money!!! Here is where I appreciate this decade where you would pay the sh*t online or send in a motherfu*king check. Why would they make a young paper boy/girl collect the sh*t?
K, sorry. Every peaceful entry Nova posts turns into a therapy release session for me. Hey saves me money! Readers may suffer but oh well!
Anyways, back to the point, I too enjoy the morning hustle for taking the paper. They must hire actors! I always wonder, is their job done for the day when they get rid of all the papers? I personally prefer Metro vs. AM NY. AM tends to be pointless.