THE very fact that you are reading this suggests you noticed
that the newspaper came in six sections today instead of the old
four. It will be left to others to debate whether this
innovation, along with color photos, represents a great leap
forward or heralds the end of civilization as we know it, an
argument that will no doubt be advanced by critics who resent
any tinkering with a venerable institution. No, the concern here
is what the change may mean for that fragile ecosystem known as
the New York City subway. Although several possibilities could
arise, two immediately present themselves: (1) The complex task
of standing in a crowded train and reading one section of the
paper while tucking five others under the arm, and at the same
time holding onto the railing and not spilling your caffe latte
on the person seated below you, will become hopeless for the
klutzes in our midst. Leaving aside the threat of shouting
matches, we can envision a rise in subway litter with this 50
percent increase in the number o