I semi-religiously read the NY Times online. it’s sometimes frustrating inside of a browser, but the writing is amazingly worth the effort. Even on the iPhone, it’s worth all the pinching to get at that great content.

I have never in a decade of post-college adulthood subscribed to a physical newspaper. I have subscribed to a few printed magazines (mostly as received gifts) but for more than a year have subscribed to none.

However I’m what I would consider a voracious consumer of content. I read blogs, books (both virtual and digital) listen to podcasts, and lots of audiobooks. So it’s not that I lack the wherewithal, or the desire to read a daily newspaper.

It’s just never seemed rewarding enough for me to do so. Either cost, fussiness, or even the environmental concern have led me to skip it. So. When Apple announced the iPad I was excited. It seemed like I might finally be the archetypal adult sitting in the armchair with a cup of coffee reading the newspaper-but the new kind. The digital kind.

Unfortunately I don’t think that I’m quite there yet. According to a link I picked up off of DF, the NYT is thinking of charging $20-$30 per month for the content. Keep in mind these things:

• That equals potentially $360 per year.
• The 7 day a week print version for a NYC resident is only $305 per year.
• The web version is free
• I’m not one of those people who would normally care. If I want it, and I can afford it, I will buy it.

But… This is a mess. I understand basic business. I understand profit. I don’t think anything in the world should be free. But I hate to see business plans that are poorly priced. A $5 product that sells a million units is much more powerful than a $30  product that sells a 100 units.

Price is an intrinsically huge part of how a product is perceived in the marketplace. And for NYT to price the digital version of their product higher than the physical equivalent that requires ink, trees, postage, and personnel to produce seems like a big F.U. to our generation.

It says, “you’re not doing it right.” It says “your way is an inconvenience to us, and you should be penalized.” I understand their fear. I understand their reluctance. I can relate to it in many ways. But unfortunately, none of that compels me to want to subscribe.

It’s a shame to waste all that excitement I felt. I can only imagine I’m not the only one begging to finally be a new digital person who fits into an old media world.