In Annie Proulx's "The Shipping News," the protagonist reflects on the essence of journalism and the difference between past and present reporters. The nostalgia for the gritty, passionate journalists of yesteryear is palpable as the character questions where those intense, skillful writers have gone. These reporters, characterized by their keen insights and tumultuous lifestyles, seem to have disappeared, leaving a void in the profession.

This longing for the raw authenticity and depth that defined these earlier journalists speaks to a broader concern about the current state of writing and reporting. The protagonist's lament underscores the value of genuine storytelling and the ability to capture life's complexities, something increasingly rare in modern journalism.