The New York Times' "TimesSelect" service has hurt the influence of its op-ed columnists in the public discussion. Where once their was a cottage industry in ripping into Paul Krugman, there is only silence because only those forking over $50 a year can read the original drivel.

In an effort to increase readership among the young -- who are the least likely to read newspapers -- the Times is offering free access to TimesSelect for those with an e-mail address ending in .edu.

There may be a backdoor.