Saturday, January 06, 2007

Time Magazine welcomes continuing irrelevance

Richard Stengel, the managing editor of Time Magazine says the times are a changin' but Time is right on top of it:
I'm not telling you anything you don't know when I say the media world is changing. But as technology evolves and new ways of delivering information emerge, some things don't change. TIME'S core commitment to explaining the world through great writing, reporting and pictures remains steadfast. In fact, I would argue that in this new dizzying forest of information, it's become even more important to have a trusted guide.
I guess that lets Time out.
The most immediate change is right in front of you. The issue you are holding in your hands--or perhaps you're reading this online--is the first issue of TIME with our new on-sale day, Friday. In fact, it's the first copy of TIME magazine to go on sale on Friday in more than 50 years. We've moved our publication schedule because the news environment has shifted and because we've been listening to you. Over and over, we've heard from subscribers that they get the magazine early in the week and then put it aside to read on the weekend. The solution was pretty simple: let's get you the magazine on the weekend when you want it.
Makes a great beer coaster!
At the same time, I believe that getting the magazine on newsstands on Friday helps us set the news agenda, not just mirror it. The traditional newsmagazine was retrospective, looking back at what happened the previous week. But today's TIME is much more forward-looking, offering you guidance on what's essential to know going forward. Many news sources give you information; we provide knowledge and meaning.
More like leftoid propaganda disguised as news combined with stupid celebrity gossip.

There's more in the same vein, but guess what - Time is going to have a "news" blog! How more cool and trendy can they get? Well, they can introduce a new environmentalism section:
This week marks the beginning of our regular Going Green section, which recognizes not only how important the environment is to people around the world but also how green businesses will be a fundamental engine of change in the 21st century.
If that's not enough propaganda, how about:
I've always believed that TIME makes a difference in people's lives but that we need to find a way to help readers make a difference in other people's lives. To that end, we are starting a section called The Power of One, in which we report on how individuals can make a positive contribution to their communities, their cities, their nations and the world. The revered economist Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, who led the U.N. Millennium Project, will be a regular contributor. This week he writes a moving piece about what it would take to rid Africa of malaria and the cycle of desperation the disease creates.
Based on ole "revered" Jeffrey's Millennium Project, I don't think any effective action like holding a necktie party for the tinhorn African dictators or using DDT for the malaria mosquitos will be on the agenda so be prepared to hear ad nauseum about why the American taxpayers should get out their wallets.

There's more in the same vein, but why bother? On it's way to the dumpster, Time is trying for a last grab at the waiting room pacifier market where we can all pick up a copy and wonder what the heck happened to it.