I stopped buying newspapers five years ago.
That statement will cause me to lose credibility with several people I know and love, but so be it. I just don’t like newspapers. They are dinosaurs. And they smell bad. Don’t get me wrong – I’m glad newspapers exist and I am glad there are people to write them and to read them, I just don’t want to be one of them. I’ll get my news from somewhere else, thankyouverymuch.
Apparently, this attitude makes me what they call a “culture vulture” – one who scavenges for whatever is freely available on the side of the road. Until recently, in terms of current events, 90% of my my cultural roadkill came from whatever filtered through Google News’ top stories, Gawker, HuffPo, or whatever I could read over someone’s shoulder on the subway. Like this guy.
Sure, I follow stories that catch my interest. I listen to NPR and watch an hour of news a day, if not more. I can hold my own in a basic current event conversation, but I usually shy away from holding much of an opinion on subjects I have not taken the time to research (read: everything that is not on Bravo after 9pm).
BUT THEN! About two months ago, the quality of my informational intake tripled when I encountered theSkimm. It’s a tiny thing but it’s made an enormous difference. This is how their website describes their service:
theSkimm is the daily newsletter that simplifies the headlines for the educated professional who knows enough to know she needs more. We do the reading for you and explain it with fresh editorial content, breaking down what you need to know to start the conversation.
What it ought to say is, We read newspapers so you don’t have to.
TheSkimm comes to my inbox every morning, nice and neat, never takes more than five minutes to read. Not only has theSkimm saved me time, it has improved my understanding of current events that I might otherwise skip for lack of background knowledge. I’m sure some of you will read it and write it off as overly simplistic, and I get that, but don’t write it off as simple. The ability to consolidate complex and confusing information into concise, easily understandable statements that leave the reader wanting more is an art (and one that you will rarely find on display in The New York Times, I might add).
In the last two months, theSkimm has made me a better consumer and a more aware, well-rounded member of society. I’m not saying it should replace print media, I’m saying it’s awesome for people like me who want the crux of the story without all the filler. TheSkimm gives me the essentials then leaves me to do my own homework (or not).
Ask me why sh*t keeps hitting the fan in Egypt – I got it.
How’d a handful of JPMorgan traders in London fuck up our whole economy (and why it’s sorta Bill Clinton’s fault) – Let’s talk.
Why is the justice department getting tiffy over the merger between American and US Airways – Well, let me tell you!
Or better yet, sign up for theSkimm and let them tell you.
Dude, it’s free. You’ll like it. Here is a sample of today’s theSkimm.
You’re welcome.
PS: Speaking of complex information, who needs a primer on WWII? Oh yeah, everyone.
(I know you covered this in high school but this one is on facebook and involved emoticons. Exciting!)
ItMakesYouSmile
Thank, Peaches. I, too, consume probably more than the average amount of news from many
sources. This, however, “CliffNotes of The News” is just what I need to start my day.
I LOVE it!!
Kathryn Humphreys
This is brilliant. Now I can stop getting my news solely from the Daily Show.
PEACHES
Me too! *Wink Wink*
Crystal Rose
That’s awesome! I just signed up.
Yvonne
What a great idea! I totally need this, and have signed up as well. Can’t wait for the chance to chime in with insightful commentary at my next smarty pants social gathering.
Nutbird
Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll cancel a few of my flash sale sites and sign up for the Skimm. I always like lots of news.
PEACHES
You are good at digesting from a lots of sources (whereas I get overwhelmed). TheSkimm is great at streamlining important stuff and putting it on my radar so when it pops up in a bigger context from a another source, I already have the essentials. It’s great for newbies and news junkies alike! I think you will like it.
Domestic Goddesque
I need this in my life. I live in London and have no idea how a few JP Morgan traders screwed the World Economy.
PEACHES
I shouldn’t point fingers, they didn’t do it alone, but the domino effect of their strategies set off a number of disasters. The crux of the issue is that a handful of folks in London made some risky wagers and bet against themselves (and in essence, the US economy). It would have been one thing if they were betting with their own money, but thanks to Glass-Steagall (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass%E2%80%93Steagall_Legislation) (which became legal under the Clinton admin), they were mixing in money from a lot of other Americans(including me). Some people argue that if this had happened on American soil SEC regulations could have prevented sooner, but I don’t see how that’s possible. This is a very crass summary, feel free to ignore me. This is one of the reasons why it’s in the news right now: http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-feds-charge-former-jpmorgan-chase-bankers-in-london-whale-case-20130814,0,60396.story
Ninette
Thanks! I just signed up!
Anonymous
I just signed up. I wish I had the time to sit on my porch with a cup of tea, reading the newspaper. That’s just a dream.
Thank you!
Nigel
This is such a great idea, thanks for sharing it. However, do be aware that that this is not unbiased reporting. While subtle, there is a definite slant in the stories. It is like your friend at work giving you the low-down on the news; she editorializes her summaries. And all of that is okay, just be aware that it is there. The media is always trying to manipulate the user.
PEACHES
This is an excellent point. Although, I would argue that “unbiased reporting” is an oxymoron. If there is human interaction, there is bias. No way around it. As readers, it’s up to us to balance out the big picture — theSkimm is helping provide one of many resources to do just that.
Anonymous
I love theSkimm! But will admit to getting the NY Times on Sunday. The ritual of Sunday mornings sitting down with a cup of tea and a newspaper…
Kathy Groah
I think we may be twins separated at birth! I get, make that USED to get, my news in exactly the same way as you. In one short hilarious blog post you have convinced me to subscribe to theSkimm. Now off to find a mid morning cocktail party to flaunt my knowledge and complete understanding of World Events. Thanks Aunt Peaches!
PEACHES
You’re welcome Kathy!
Tecu'Mish Munha'Ke
I do not trust ANY of the so called News media in this country….we have seen where they ignore stories and out and out lie and alter 911 tapes, News media in the US is nothing but Propaganda. Since you so highly recommended them, I decided to give the Skimm a chance…..in reading the story on the “bored teenagers” who so viciously murdered the Australian in Ok, I thought it strange that a country whose news media has become so obsessed about race did not mention the race of the perpetrators….this told me something….this told me they were not white but most probably black. So I did some hunting around and although I found photos that I could see that they appear black, it was only the Drudge Regport that called them the “bored, black teenagers” everyone else was spewing propaganda. So I think I’ll stick with the Drudge Report. I am not going to sign anonymous, call me a racist, I think all the bs has got to stop. Those in control use the news media to divide us…..they don’t want us joining together., to reinstate the banking regulations Clinton overwrote, they don’t want us to audit the Fed they don’t want us to abolish the IRS or to stop the NSA from spying on us Did the Skimm tell you the President signed an executive order requiring mandatory HIV testing on everyone between the age of 15 and 65?What do you think the government will do with that info?.
Michelle
1. There were three “bored teenagers” involved in the murder of that poor man in Oklahoma. Two are black, one is white. Who did what has yet to come to light so maybe now is not the time be bringing race into the event. A man is dead. Let’s be respectful.
2. President Obama signed an executive order to expand an improve our government’s strategy to fight HIV/AIDS. This is not a law, it’s an initiative. There is a difference. The line reads “The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends that clinicians screen all individuals ages 15 to 65 years for HIV, and the Department of Health and Human Services Guidelines for Use of Antiretroviral Agents now recommends offering treatment to all adolescents and adults diagnosed with HIV.” …this is not new. This is not news. That recommendation has been around for years. It is not a law, it is mention of an existing recommendation (that has nothing to do with the government). People should be screened for all sorts of contagious illnesses, that’s just common sense. You can read it yourself: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/07/15/executive-order-hiv-care-continuum-initiative
Tecu'Mish Munha'Ke
1. My question is why does the mainstream media and also Skimm show “respect” only when the perps are non-white and the victim is white? It is these double standards that continue to divide us.
2. It is my humble opinion that anything that comes out of the whitehouse press office should be taken with several grains of sand……….one can couch the loss of privacy in intellectually progressive language all day long, the bottom line is, the government will have control over a vial of our blood…..a lot can be learned and used from this…..do you honestly trust such a group of self-serving,greedy and power hungry individuals with such intimate information about you?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIA1lQBqH1s