I must say that for me, reading the newspaper keeps me in touch with the very essence of life--people.
Somehow I have no friends to really call friends because I know that if I do give them a call to say "hello," not one of them would willingly like to spend time with me. They all have other plans.
Thank goodness for the newspaper. It is always there, patiently waiting for a time that's convenient for me.
Reading the news, personal tidbits, rumors, gossip, editorials, letters and so many other sharings allows me to keep in contact with the society of humans (otherwise I might just become a blob of solitude).
I have taken many free trips by jumping into the travel pages, I have had many debates with opinions of others without causing a riot, I have shared personal secrets with people I have not even met physically. I have met people I would not like to meet (murderers, thieves, crooked politicians, unashamed teachers who molest kids and empty people).