The Oregonian has decided to “dumb down” its single copy street edition, according to its barely credible editorial blog which, of course, is probably written by the same fascistly-selective people still trying to decide what’s “news” in this city, and what’s not:

We’ve redesigned the cover for single-copy editions. The intent is to deliver a clear, bold headline on a lead story with smaller references to other material. The hope is that readers will see an interesting headline as they pass by, stop and plunk down two quarters.

Single copy readers tend to be different demographically than subscribers so that leads to the logical conclusion that they might be interested in a different story mix. If they wanted standard newspaper fare, after all, they probably would be subscribers.

Paris Hilton made the front page of the single copy edition days before her story was on the cover of the home-delivered version. But the intent is not to be a tabloid. Rather, we’re looking for a broader mix of subjects of interest. One of the most popular front pages so far was the one that featured former Blazer Scottie Pippen’s house.

That story also appeared on the front page subscribers received, but it was displayed more sedately. The content of the different editions typically is the same, other than a remix of the front page offerings.

The midday edition that is sold Monday through Friday at newsstands in the central city also has adopted the new format.

It sounds to me like the Oregonian is striving to achieve more impact with its street edition than it has in the past. And in an era where impact is everything, who can blame them? I mean, apart from us…