He makes a good point about sport fans and coupon clippers having subsidized "real" news. HN is a prime example of why that can't work online.
Is there any reason that can't capitalise on that reversal by creating niche news sites that excel at reporting on those kinds of topics ("city council or the coup in Madagascar" were the examples he gave)? The self-selecting that is killing them now could theoretically keep then help them simplify their content and advertising targeting.
Maybe someone is doing that already and it isn't working?
In my area there are several highly-local blogs (e.g. West Seattle Blog, White Center Now) that cover the city council and other local events/news/politics. I mean, they actually send people to council meetings to report on them.
Is there any reason that can't capitalise on that reversal by creating niche news sites that excel at reporting on those kinds of topics ("city council or the coup in Madagascar" were the examples he gave)? The self-selecting that is killing them now could theoretically keep then help them simplify their content and advertising targeting.
Maybe someone is doing that already and it isn't working?