Donald Pittenger writes:

Dear Blowhards --

The place we're staying in while Nancy skis drops off a newspaper at our door every morning. The last two days we got the San Francisco Chronicle.

For some reason, the print edition is making a big deal of the paper's anniversary. For instance, yesterday's paper had the sports section printed on green colored paper as a commemoration; that's how sports was printed for ages and ages until maybe sometime in the 1990s.

And what significant anniversary is the venerable paper celebrating?

The 144th.

Hmm. That's not a silver anniversary. Nor a golden or diamond one either. And the year isn't evenly divisible by a 10 or even a five. Such a puzzlement, as the King of Siam might put it.

Oh. Maybe I get it. They're celebrating this year because they aren't sure they'll be around for the 145th.

Later,

Donald

A gross of years - how wonderful to reject the metric century.

Posted by: dearieme on January 19, 2009 11:16 AM

dearieme -- Gee, I hadn't thought of that angle.

So I suppose there's always some variation of the biblical sevens (abundance and famine) -- 7, 14, 21, 28, etc.

And the Prime Number series.

Or maybe something or other in the Aztec calendar.

This could be a fantastic marketing tool for jewelry stores and wives demanding a little post-wedding recognition.

Posted by: Donald Pittenger on January 19, 2009 11:28 AM

Maybe they celebrate all anniversaries with a square root that is a whole number.

Posted by: Patrick on January 19, 2009 11:51 AM

Also, the 11th Fibonacci number. Verrrrry interesting.

Posted by: Chris Burd on January 19, 2009 5:07 PM

As someone who grew up with the Chron and its green sports section, I would lament its passing. On the other hand, as someone who no longer reads newspapers, I guess I am part of the problem!

Posted by: Lester Hunt on January 19, 2009 5:41 PM

Me, too, Lester Hunt! Only ones others have bought; otherwise, only online.

The printed newspaper will die. It's only a matter of time, surely.

Posted by: Will S. on January 20, 2009 12:40 AM

The loss of the morning ritual of a cup of coffee, a roll or bagel and the paper will be...a loss, for us troglodytes who grew up starting the day that way.

But I guess for those who never had the habit it, or worse still, start the day by turning on the computer first thing in the morning, it won't be a loss.

Buh-bye, twentieth century.

Posted by: ricpic on January 20, 2009 8:44 AM

Jeeze...looks like this site is read by some genuine intellectuals. A little afraid to add my single non-MENSA thought: I missed that issue. (R.I.P., SFC)

Posted by: Marlan on January 31, 2009 10:23 AM






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