More Tocqueville

Posted on March 19, 2006 by agentrickard

Wow. Check out this quote:

WHEN men are no longer united among themselves by firm and lasting ties, it is impossible to obtain the co-operation of any great number of them unless you can persuade every man whose help you require that his private interest obliges him voluntarily to unite his exertions to the exertions of all the others. This can be habitually and conveniently effected only by means of a newspaper; nothing but a newspaper can drop the same thought into a thousand minds at the same moment. A newspaper is an adviser that does not require to be sought, but that comes of its own accord and talks to you briefly every day of the common weal, without distracting you from your private affairs.

Emphasis mine. Now remember that this was writen in 1831. How much of it is still true? Or, to make it true, what word(s) must you substitue for "newspaper"?