Intellectual degradation...?

Question

Do you feel in a way that at times, both men's and women's "general" magazines (such as FHM, Cosmopolitan and the like) can be intellectually degrading?

I mean, I read them a bit and they can be quite entertaining...but...sometimes I feel they are too willing to label. Mens magazines seem to think ALL we care about is looks...even if the subject is incapable of intellectual thought...

Or that getting so trashed we throw up is the best way to spend the weekend...

And that all girlfriends are a burden...?

Likewise, women's magazines seem to assume the same, in reverse - that women will only care about the body, even if the character has the mental capacity & speed of a drunk sloth?

I notice too...that they seem to encourage women to spend time pursuing men...not what else can complete their lives? Likewise, with men...that they should just chase girls and go from one to another?

I like some articles...but..get sick of the idiotic stereotyping...do you? If not..why?

Answer 1

Yes, ALL magazines stereotype. Just like high schools have peer groups. It's how magazines are sold. It's how they appeal to their demographic. As readers, we have to understand every magazine caters to just a select and small aspect of who we are as persons.

First, I would encourage you focus on those magazines that cater to the full person. You can't expect such fluff mags as FHM and Cosmopolitan to represent the specturm of publishing.

Try Vanity Fair, Details or Esquire. These are top men magazines that understand that men can be and are cerebral. That men care more about flat abs and who is the hottest woman on the planet. Even these examples fall victim to the pressure to compete with Maxim and the like. VF, Details and Esquire also understand that in order to sell units, you have to cater to the carnal at times. Just look at VF's current cover. If you want consistency of intelligence, you can't look at the Frat Boy mags: Maxim, Stuff, FHM.

And you're right. These magazines do sell men short. You have to realize these publications are only focusing on one aspect of human behavior and consumer demand. These publications don't represent what I call "The Full Person."

Ditto for women's magazines. Women mags are like high school: lots of cliques. To cater to each clique, you have a magazine. For the girl voted "Most Likely to Succeed," there's O Magazine or Marie Claire. For that girl who's the topic of locker room discussion, there's Cosmo.

See the picture? A smart and REAL woman knows not to buy into the hype of such absolutely poisonous magazines such as Cosmo, which I often refer to as "toxin for the female soul."

In conclusion, let's not forget that publishing is a business. There are some not-so-pretty aspects of business as a whole, which reflect some ugly truths about human behavior.

If you don't like being stereotyped and grouped unfairly, let the publications know. Write the editior! No change is brought about through inaction.

Patronize those magazines you feel truly represent you.

Answer 2

To be honest these magazines are for people who don't ask the kind of question you have just asked.

Who cares about celebrity weddings, big brother housemates' diet tips and the latest topless model? - actually most people do care a lot about things like this and it is these people who the publishers aim their product at.

If you are sick of these publications then buy something a little more highbrow made for a more discerning market. It's like newspapers the Sun and Mail are popular as they are pretty bigoted and appeal to the fears and facinations of the masses while the Independant and Guardian (although dry and often pretentious) are a better choice of paper.

Personally I read Bizarre magazine to look at deformities and Doctor Who magazine to learn about adventures in time and space.

Have a great day!

Answer 3

I think it's part of a general "dumbing down" of society. The ones you are referring to have a market, just as all magazines have a market. The question becomes very personal: What do I want to learn, and where can learn it? If you go to a store like Borders, there are periodicals on almost every conceivable subject (and these are just the "over the counter" ones!). Some are enlightening and educational, some are interesting to a hobbyist, some are pap. Remember though, for good or evil, sex sells!

Answer 4

Totally! The worst thing is the body focus..did you know that what we perceive as beautiful is decided by those very magazines? It s shocking! The higher the media coverage in a certain area the higher is the obsession with the promoted beauty ideal. Thus the bigger the city the more guys find anorexically skinny girls attractive..and the more girls have eating disorders.

Answer 5

Yeah, they attempt to fill you with sometime pointless crap so youl buy another and follow meaningless fashion advice and worldly trends, like you stated:getting trashed is the best way to spend the weekend. it's kind'of like modeling, where the models try to lose too much weight(and end up looking too skinny)just to compete as a model. They need to eat more, I'm not kidding.
What about the articles in those magazines that seem to only talk about sex and increasing your labio by 10%?
I agree with you all the way!

Answer 6

What you say is true of certain types of magazine. When I buy a magazine, I'm selective about what I read. I may read one or two articles and ignore the rest. I look to magazines to give me information I don't have about a subject I'm interested in. I also hope they will make me aware of products I might want to own or events I should know about.

Answer 7

yeah, I agree with you.. but you know what.. that appeals to many men and women.. and those magazines are especially made for those people.. just like architecture magazines are made for architects.. I mean, it's kinda sad to see it, but I have a couple of friends, and all they care about is the latest styles.. and somehow that's all they think about.. and those are also the magazines they are going to buy.. I guess it would be really interesting if they could include a little culture.. but knowing my friends.. they probably wouldn't read it.. sad but true..

Answer 8

i can TOTALLY agree with you...it's sad that even in this day and age, when we've "come so far" so to speak, that women's magazines are still trying to say that the only way to happiness is to eat a lettuce leaf and some celery for lunch, get a makeover, throw up your lunch and actively pursue a man to have sex with, and ultimately get married to achieve nirvana. it's stupid. i don't buy into it. i subscribe to cosmo, but i've noticed that it's gotten to the point where most of its contents are stupid. granted, i love lipgloss and jeans as much as anyone, but i can't justify spending $500 on highlights and a manicure. it's ridiculous.

Answer 9

It's a shame that we live in a world where "looks" are first priority. I'm glad that my dad taught me not to judge a book by it's cover.

When dating I would judge a man by his heart and his personality.

There are men and women out there that are probably below average in the looks department...but probably have a heart of Gold.

Answer 10

many of us have noticed too...that they seem to encourage women to spend time pursuing men...not what else can complete their lives? Likewise, with men...that they should just chase girls and go from one to another?not very ethical but indeed very exciting abd romantic!!!!