This is an age old topic that's been on my mind for the longest time. Magazines - are they really worth subscribing and holding on to? In the past I've subscribed to a single video game magazine, and now I am subscribed to MacLife which is an Apple oriented magazine. My main concern here is the fact that there are million of magazines being distributed around the world every single day. All this paper comes from somewhere (trees!), and goes somewhere when they're disposed (landfills!).
These days with the internet, the moment you receive your magazine in the mail, the news and articles are already history - that's the disadvantage. The advantage of magazines, though, is the fact that you can take it anywhere and read it without the use of an electronic device. Also, on the plus side, if you're not exactly the news-junky, some outdated info won't hurt you too much.
So yea, the magazine business is a multi billion dollar industry ranging from Hollywood gossip to Pornography, and Automobiles to the latest Tech stuff. How much of an effect is this all having on our environment with all the paper that's being used? Chances are, most recipients of these magazines don't dispose them properly. Portable Readers are becoming pretty popular these days, being able to carry everything from the latest news, to your Harry Potter collection. These are worthy investments in the long run, and reduce your carbon footprint by a good deal - although, when will our world be ready for the conversion to digital, if at all?
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I think the magazine industry is still waiting for a really good device to back. The Amazon Kindle is a good first step, but it's lack of a colour screen really lowers its accessibility.
as some one that works on magazines i hope they are not going anywhere! that said we can do alot of things in the virtual world but i think we all still like to get some tangible objects and magazines are a good source for information and entertainment...and they are way easier to read in the bathroom that lugging the lappy in there!
I agree Jay, I think the fact that you have something physical is reason enough to have them. I get far more enjoyment from reading a magazine, plus the quality of their articles are much better.
Also, when online anyone can be a journalist. I also take interest in online publications but I think I trust the quality and integrity of magazine articles much more than what I find online.
Regarding the environmental impact, you'll find that we're not chopping down the Amazon to make magazines, their paper probably comes from renewable plantations.
I agree guys, nothing beats having something physical you can hold on to and take it places (lol) - I think that's something a majority of the population that reads magazines do.
I do disagree about the content, though. There are a lot of very fine sources of information and very well written articles on the web. You can't just go be talking about any random person with a Blogspot blog talking about how much he hates the new toy he got.
In terms of the environmental impact, I am absolutely sure that MOST of these magazines use some sort of recycled paper, and paper from tree plants as you said. It will be extremely interesting to see what this industry turns into, and it would be a bummer to see it fade away - but then again, it probably won't be in our lifetimes (or will it?).