When did paper go out of fashion?

Newspapers, made out of paper called newsprint.

    Baby Boomers are no spring chickens anymore; I happen to be among the younger of this age group and I'll be 65 years old in mid-December.

    But this generation might be the last to fully appreciate paper in all its forms.

    Paper money. Newspaper. Bills, paid by paper checks. Paperback books, library books, etc.

    These examples, and more, seem to indicate a troubling trend.

    Let's start with newsprint. This type of paper, used mainly in newspapers, has declined abruptly and precipitously.

    According to the Pew Research Center, the circulation of daily newspapers in 2020 was 24.3 million and for Sunday newspapers, it was 25.8 million. The numbers were markedly different in 1990: The circulation was 63.2 million and for Sunday newspapers it was 62.6 million.

    Fewer readers means less newspapers bought and sold. Less newsprint in use, as well. Scholars believe the decline in newspaper readership actually traces to the 1950's when television news gained in popularity.

    Secondly, there is online bill-paying. That's about all most people seem to do anymore.

    It's convenient, of course. Sitting down to pay the monthly bills is basically a practice of the past, although it's smart to keep an eye on the bank account. 

    Lots of hackers are busy out there, trying to steal from innocent citizens who just aim to pay their bills.

    Paper money seems to be the most recent target. Places of business put up signs: Cards Only! Cash Only!

    I was recently in Ames, as the Iowa State Cyclones took on the Baylor Bears. During one break I went down for a bottle of water and discovered, alas, I didn't have cash to buy it. Horrors!

    I stood in the long "credit card" line while the folks with cash were in-and-out, quickly.

    This would not normally happen as I generally have a little cash in my wallet. But really? No more paper money? How does that even make sense?

    Online and audible books are all the rage, but I take heart that book stores also still exist and some are thriving. I am the youngest daughter of Emery Cox Jr., who had one of the largest private libraries in Cedar County, Iowa.

    I read normal books every day.

    Times are changing quickly to be sure. Nevertheless, I prefer to read a newspaper made out of newsprint and books made of paper products.

Regular, mostly fiction books in a bookshelf.