[toyg]

There is an issue of correct evaluation of quality though. You might not think an article was worth paying for as you read it, but then it will give you an edge in some conversation later on. This accrues the more articles you read - maybe each item is not earth-shattering in itself, but together they paint you a picture that actually informs your actions.

[Waterfall]

Well thats assuming the quality is good. News is so biased I don't feel like paying for it. Usually they tell you what they want me to think. The only publication I like (that has no noticible bias) is al jazeera which is free. The WP sucks and it's the only one off the top of my head that asked me to pay.