That tight feeling in my chest
Feb. 2nd, 2009 05:03 pmUnder the heading of things that give me a mild anxiety attack I give you this interesting article that talks about various media brands that may not survive the year. If you scroll down a bit it talks about the problems at Conde Nast which puts out The New Yorker (which isn't doing so well and the thought of the New Yorker folding makes me edgy and deeply sad) and it also puts out Gourmet magazine. They are saying Gourmet will probably not see the end of the year.... From 2004 to 2008, Gourmet’s ad pages have dropped from 1,364 to 955, with a 24% drop last year. January’s ad pages were down another 32% according to MIN. Gourmet can survive since it has a competitive audience of web visitors to its food site, but it will have to migrate totally to its website.
I have to say that while their website is dandy, it just isn't quite the same tactile experiencing of holding the magazine in your hands, or those visible signs of your cooking from a slight stain on an old magazine that is kept because it was a freaking dandy issue and there are things you cook out of there all of the time. I suppose it is the whole talisman aspect. Sure you can reach something on line and print it out or something but it isn't quite the same. Some might disagree with me but they just have to accept that they are wrong. Which is okay. You are allowed to be wrong.
I suppose it might not make sense to some but if you are a food dork, this magazine is a bit of an institution and some of the best food writing has come out of this magazine and there are a number of people who wrote for that magazine who had a huge influence on American cooking and how many Americans now view food.
Excuse me while I go and hug certain back issues I have kept over the years.
I have to say that while their website is dandy, it just isn't quite the same tactile experiencing of holding the magazine in your hands, or those visible signs of your cooking from a slight stain on an old magazine that is kept because it was a freaking dandy issue and there are things you cook out of there all of the time. I suppose it is the whole talisman aspect. Sure you can reach something on line and print it out or something but it isn't quite the same. Some might disagree with me but they just have to accept that they are wrong. Which is okay. You are allowed to be wrong.
I suppose it might not make sense to some but if you are a food dork, this magazine is a bit of an institution and some of the best food writing has come out of this magazine and there are a number of people who wrote for that magazine who had a huge influence on American cooking and how many Americans now view food.
Excuse me while I go and hug certain back issues I have kept over the years.