Just when it seemed like it couldn’t get worse for the newspaper industry, it did. Makes me glad I’m a totally 1337 bl0gg3r!:

Even for an industry awash in bad news, the newspaper business went through one of its most severe retrenchments in recent memory last week. Half a dozen newspapers said they would slash payrolls, one said it would outsource all its printing, and Tribune Co., one of the biggest publishers in the country, said it might sell its iconic headquarters tower in Chicago and the building that houses the Los Angeles Times.

The increasingly rapid and broad decline in the newspaper business in recent months has surprised even the most pessimistic financial analysts, many of whom say it’s too hard to tell how far the slump will go.

“They’re in survival mode now,” said Mike Simonton, a media analyst at Fitch Ratings, a credit-analysis agency.

But don’t feel too bad for those old cigar chomping newpaper execs in their soon-to-be-sold big city highrises. This whole thing is their own fault anyway:

Some say complacency in the industry about the threat the Internet posed is to blame for the current quagmire. Speaking on the CNBC business-news cable channel Friday, Sam Zell, the real estate magnate who is now Tribune’s CEO, said newspapers historically have been “monopolies” in their local markets and “insulated from reality,” according to a transcript of his remarks provided by CNBC.

From Craigslist:

Nemesis required. 6-month project with possibilty to extend
Date: 2008-05-07, 2:49PM PDT
I’ve been trying to think of ways to spice up my life. I’m 35 years old, happily married with two kids and I have a good job in insurance. But somethings missing. I feel like I’m old before my time. I need to inject some excitement into my daily routine through my arm before its too late. I need a challenge, something to get the adrenaline pumping again. An addiction would be nice, but, in short, I need a nemesis. I’m willing to pay $350 up front for you services as an arch enemy over the next six months. Nothing crazy. Steal my parking space, knock my coffee over, trip me when Im running to catch the BART and occasionaly whisper in my ear, “Ahha, we meet again”. That kind of thing. Just keep me on my toes. Complacency will be the death of me. You need to have an evil streak and be blessed with innate guile and cunning. You should also be adept at inconsicuous pursuit. Evil laugh preferred. Send me a photo and a brief explanation why you would be a good nemesis.
British accent preferred.
* it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
* Compensation: $350 up front
PostingID: 672031640

Shit, man! I want a nemesis now, too! Oh wait, I have a boss, boyfriend, and two roommates. Nevermind, forget it.