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I hear what you're saying, OlLine Rebel.
Getting a quality newspaper, magazine or textbook in your hands is a wonderful the way to learn and engage the brain. Though the interactive nature of Free Republic and intelligence of FReepers is an internet exception.
Before it was bought by the Chinese and became mostly "woke", I subscribed to Fortune Magazine and used to get a lot of professional perspective on the high tech business there. Now, I guess, only Forbes survives as a solid national business magazine.
Recently moved to a mid-sized city north of Tokyo and pleased to see that magazine reading is alive and well here. At the local city bookstore, it's surprising to see all the special interest magazines being sold on the shelf. My guess is the amount of shelf space devoted to magazines is at least 5 times more than you see in America.
It's an oddity I want to explore a bit more.
So the Japanese, though so technologically advanced and innovative, know the limits. It’s great to have all this stuff, but often, everything has its place. Interaction with others is a huge advantage with the Internet; quick information, too - but general reading, not so much.