Why Mag Writing Sucks
Anyone see that movie called PECKER? How the end was all
about the ‘death of irony.’ —How if you point too many fingers
for too long then it all comes back on you, that it becomes
obvious that there’s no percentage in pointing, that it’s all
in just being.
This reminds me of the generic style of magazine writing.
I see it in every magazine. Editors must pretty much think
it’s required.
Knowing, glib always. Arch everyday. Clever as often as
typographically possible. Cynical inevitably. Every topic
reduced. Punchy, catchy, lite. Even the serious stuff.
Play every ticket you can, cater, patronize. One stinky package.
Don’t they get it that THIS is what drives people AWAY from
magazines and reading? It’s SUCH a hollow thrill, so saccharine,
that even those who get caught up in it come to their senses
quickly.
Why do they persist?
Only one reason: it must be seen as safe and conducive to shopping
by advertisers. Well, that’s just not so either: they’re abadoning print
media by the score.
The funny thing is that all they’d have to do is require simple,
honest writing, straightforward, about things that really matter,
and people would come back in droves to the simple delights and
high octane benefits of reading. Nothing is more potent. But of
course that’s what they’d find out. None of their usual contributors
could put together even one honest page. You’d end up working
with writers who don’t play games. Where’s the sauve security
of the bon mot there? And you’d be sued AND thrown in jail
your first issue. You’d lose all advertisers. But you’d have your
readers back! ALL of them! All three remaining on the planet.
The ones all the hope rests on. Talk about a remnant.
(Maybe print is being left high and dry on purpose for that reason?
Put the venal kids in charge of print, give them a mission to turn yellow
and sit back while TV hauls em in.)
The death of irony…. No one knows what to do with THAT.
Is it time to wear rustic plaid flannel again?
