Week 2: Jellybeans

JELLYBEANS
"They are cheap, everywhere and they serve their purpose"
The day was Monday, and a group of journalism students were handed false hope in the form of small bags of jellybeans by their lecturer. And these weren't just any jellybeans, they were Jelly Belly jellybeans. Every students' eyes lit up as they were told they should try a few. Pains were taken to remind them that, as the jellybean flavours are so good, so unique and individual, they should be eaten one at a time, to savour them. Oh what a delight it was to have those few, precious jellybeans in my hands with each flavour bursting in my mouth. But no! The worst happened. The jellybeans were taken away (even though it was for a small amount of time, but no one knew that then).
The devastation in the room was evident. Some students had the shocked look of those who have just found out their dog has been hit by a car, others sat mouth opened, eyes glazed knowing they had been too trusting and that the jellybeans were too good to be true, some were pinching themselves as they were convinced they were dreaming; who would do something this awful? Others were just trying to hide their obviously flowing tears.
Never have I witnessed such horror as on this day.

The Jellybean analogy was brilliant. Well first of all, the jellybeans tasted amazing so thanks, but secondly it really made me understand that people do take things like the news for granted. They believe its their right to hear/read it and are they right? Everyone is so used to the news being cheap and everywhere that having to pay for it like Rupert Murdoch is attempting could be a real shock. Personally I think everyone should be able to access the news or some form of new free of charge. Its been like this for too long, changing it now could definitely shock people (just like taking away someone's jellybeans). But in the end, if you have to pay for it, then i think people will end up accepting it.
But haven't people always paid for the news? Newspapers are cheap, but you still pay for them. News is on TV but then you had to pay for the television and you have to pay for the electricity to run it, so news on TV isn't exactly free. And just the other day a man in Gympie paid for the news with his life as he went out, as he did every other morning, to get the daily newspaper. As he was driving back his car was caught in flood waters and he was found a few hours later (lhttp://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/man-drowned-going-for-morning-paper-20120306-1uf3a.html).
I guess there has always been some sort of price, it will all depend on what kind of price and whether people are willing to accpet that price.