Hafta letters: Enriching episodes, possibility of a print edition, and Abhinandan’s cricket takes

Anushka

Question: Will Newslaundry ever have a print edition? Have you ever thought about it, and what is the feasibility, if any?

Context: I am currently based in Japan, where a thriving print media publishing ecosystem exists. Even though the economy is going down, I see so many bookstores and other print materials that I suspect people are still buying them. I have also seen this among friends: younger people are now leaning towards tangibility and getting away from screens. I find myself craving this a lot, too. Is a print edition something we can afford? If yes, at what cost?

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Anil 

Dear Newslaundry Team,

Your podcasts are an enriching part of my life and I’m grateful for your work. 

I have two points to share:

On sports: I don’t follow sports, but I’ve grown to appreciate their role in building discipline, among other things. I believe “sport” is a broad term and if the IOC (International Olympic Committee) recognises Chess, mental games are just as valid as physical ones. While I agree with Abhinandan that funding is disproportionately allocated, I don’t see the value in “disproving” cricket’s status as a sport. You don’t need to put a sport down to elevate the status of another.

On the Subramanian Swamy Interview: I urge you to release the uncensored version. We are mature enough to draw our own conclusions. You have previously aired interviews containing insulting or insinuating opinions, so this feels like a departure. Is this a new precedent for future content? Regarding the identity of the woman mentioned, I don't think viewers have the resources to troll unless they are “the RSS”. Unless there are major legal risks, please trust your audience to handle a ranting man.

Keep up the great work.

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Srinath 

With all due respect, Abhi’s utterances about cricket (not being a sport) come across as mad rambling by a person who has never played the sport at any competitive level. If you can’t appreciate the athleticism and skill needed to bowl a yorker or swing, to tackle the guile of good spin bowling, to face bouncers coming in at 140 mph+, to take a diving catch anywhere on the field, you’re just a hater uncle. One of the positives of T20 cricket is that it’s improved the standards of athleticism required in the sport. So, sure, the sport may not be your cup of tea, but denying that it’s a sport at all is just an ignorant denial of reality. Can we do an investigative piece on whether Abhi was denied a spot on the Doon School sub-junior cricket team and has been holding a grudge ever since?

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Leslie 

Hi Abhinandan and the NL team,

I was in the gym when Chaitanya’s email suggesting a potential use for Chetan Bhagat’s body parts brought a smile to my face. Then the discussion that followed quickly plummeted, and I had to stop my gym!!!  And type this mail! 

Abhinandan’s knowledge of cricket and golf is abysmal. Nay, it needs rubbing Brasso on an old, unused mindset! 

I am all for being 1 of the 5 guys on that suggested podcast next month. Truly am... Will save my thoughts for then, if I get selected. 

Meanwhile, as a parting thought, golf is one of the toughest sports out there, with frustration rates possibly the highest. 

As for cricket, well... will save it for the podcast if that happens. 

Keep up the fab work!

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Anonymous 

And ohhh.. a fun fact to ponder.. Rahul Dravid lost approximately 3 kgs during that famous innings against Australia @ Eden Gardens in 2001!  And to bat/field/bowl in a Test Match requires one to be supremely fit – physically and mentally.

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