While I was at the car dealership for service earlier this week, I picked up the latest issue of Newsweek and was surprised – okay, really, I was shocked – to see the announcement that the issue in my hand would be the last print edition.  (Where have I been?!!)

I admit each time I’ve seen the publication lately, it’s rivaled the latest cell phones for thinness, but during most of my adult life, Newsweek has been one of the iconic news magazines. Suddenly, it’s merged with The Daily Beast and is going digital..the end of an era, the beginning of another.

My friend Kathy and I were discussing the publishing environment. We’ve noticed  the breadth of digital books being published runs the gamut from 0 to 10 in quality, now that writers can side-step the traditional publishing house’s vetting process.  I don’t think I’ve seen a book I’d give a ‘0’ rating yet, but there have been a few ‘3’s and ‘5’s. The fact that media has become a powerful tool in the hands of anyone is a mixed blessing. Some works that might never have seen the light of day (because they’re too unconventional) have become available. Yay! Other works that should probably never have been unleashed on the public can now rear their ugly heads. But who am I to judge? Now there’s something for every taste.  Let’s hope there remains a place for both the classical as well as for works of pop culture.

One thing this phenomenon has done is marginalize the craft of writing well. In the advent of sites like elance, fiverr, and others, writers (and other artists) can pick up quick, but generally very low-paying freelance work.

When commerce becomes increasingly based on the free or low-cost marketplace model, are we moving closer and closer to the world of Jean Luc Picard and Star Trek where the monetary system as we know it disappears?  Ironic that the system seems firmly entrenched when taxes come due, but seems on much less solid ground in the publishing marketplace.

Another friend recently commented, “It’s interesting to see where the future of publishing is going.”

News Flash! Move over, Jean Luc…The future is now and it’s passing at light speed.

Photo of Jean Luc Picard by Paramount Pictures used for identification and commentary only under minimal fair use understanding.