One of the most compelling and critically important side stories (or maybe it is THE story and the business stuff is secondary) related to the death of the daily newspaper is the impact on our communities, our society, and our democracy. There are a wide range of opinions about what will happen to the vacuum being created as newspapers implode and disappear, or at a very minimum, become far less able to afford true journalism. I subscribe to the belief that the concern is extremely justified, but that successful alternatives are already emerging and will continue to do so at an accelarting pace. In any event, Doonesbury has a great arc this week on the dumbing of America and the panel below even connects to the death of newspapers….very amusing but horrifying as well.