That said, there’s even a cross-network solution, which is OpenID. Essentially, you identify yourself from where ever else you happen to be. The interfaces are awful so far, but the idea rocks. I’ll tell you that I’m me on Facebook, but not on Linkedin, etc.

Logging in was necessary when online newpapers were not free, or when you wanted premium content. As that business model didn’t prove out, they didn’t get rid of the code supporting the business model.

Then, you have to ask if the newspaper is still using those demographic identifiers? Are they still being a print newspaper relative to those demographics? Did they ever move to a links, server logs, and webanalytics?

But, no. That response certainly is awful, and counterproductive.