Blocked Reader

Non paying readers are now blocked out at NYT's Times Select. For years we have been faithful readers but loyalty alone does not make you welcome anymore. I miss my Sunday morning fix of the Op-ed. As much as I am dying to know Maureen Dowd's take on the President's women, I am not convinced that subscribing to NYT is the best way.

There are many other popular publications that are of interest and similarly behind a payment wall. There is scope for aggregation with the ability for individuals to select a combination that works for them. A model similar to buying music online - you pay only for the songs that you care about and not entire albums.

Isn't it as much columnist's loss that they will now be read by a small fraction of their readership ? Their loss will likely be a blogger's gain - someone equally astute and willing to provide intelligent commentary for free.