Comments on: Conde Nast: Flushing brides, extra food

By: Christopher Gill

Christopher Gill — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:37:08 +0000

This is pretty bad stuff. I’ve never heard of any of these magazines except Gourmet (it sounds like the people working at Cookie should be in jail not just out of their jobs anyway) – but I’m certainly scared for The New Yorker. I mean The New Yorker is maybe literally the only good thing that is currently being done by the 300 million-strong population of the United States. Sure, their glowing profiles of rich people and their economic analysis is often disgustingly reactionary, but nevertheless in general The New Yorker is still one of the most amazing institutions in the world with generally brilliant journalism and research writing coming out pretty much every week for, what, 50 USD a year? You can’t get anything like it for love or money anywhere else.

This company chief maybe is being reasonable by axing most of what he just axed, but it’s hard to say what they are going to end up doing. I mean anyone who thinks that any sustainable business should be 25% net profit, let alone businesses that are primarily about creativity and serious research and journalism, is frankly a foolish idiot. 25% net profit? Whatever happened to running a functioning organization that can pay for itself sustainably? I mean if he wants 25% net profit he should rob a bank not try to run an organization, where the point is supposed to be to put food on everyone’s table and still be there next year to do the same. I mean I’m just some kid who doesn’t know the first thing about executive leadership — but even I know the people trying to work at these companies for a living need to get rid of this irresponsible fantasist before he takes them all out. Being in the red is one thing but what’s wrong with 3% net if you have reason to think you’ve built a sustainable revenue stream that can still pay the bills next year?

I like “Nick” ‘s idea for the magazine to replace Cookie. “Minimum Wage” magazine – since nobody knows how to feed their kids on minimum wage this would be instructive and a good public service. And actually a service Conde Nast could inexpensively provide for the people they are firing. “Well, guys, it’s not like you’ll be getting a pension or health insurance – it’s 2009 not 1950, baby – but how does a free subscription to our new rag The Max on Minimum sound? It’ll be news you can use to keep from starving (maybe)!”

By: Ed Circusitch

Ed Circusitch — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:25:44 +0000

What they aren’t telling you is they are coming out with a new magazine. Gourmond Magazine. It’ll be more in-tune with the current generation. It will cover mostly snakcs and junk food.

By: Pam

Pam — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:36:47 +0000

End of the fake reader polls!

http://feww.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/con -the-nasty-traveler/

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:20:35 +0000

In this time of economic hardship and rising unemployment throughout the US, is it really so tragic to see the closure of a publication such as ‘Cookie’? This monthly celebration of over-priced goods and indulgences aimed at spoiled, urban, middle-class parents with spoiled and indulged children was most likely offensive to most ordinary working Americans when the economy was faring better. But in the present economic environment – when millions are struggling merely to provide food, shelter and basic health care for their families, such a magazine seems even more woefully out of touch and elitist than it did. Maybe Conde Nast would do better to start a parenting magazine that explained how to feed and raise a family on the current US minimum wage – or perhaps one dedicated to kid friendly budget recipes in an effort to combat the increasing likelihood that parents cannot afford to provide their kids with a nutritious diet – never mind $200 hand-knitted sweaters? Just a thought.

By: Becky

Becky — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:50:40 +0000

“Simple, easy, and familiar.” Yeah, we are entering the fast-food, cheap eats, never, ever do anything that requires effort or dedication, throw it all away, world. Shallow is as shallow does, and I have just canceled my subscriptions to every single Conde Nast magazine I take.

I am SO furious I cannot sit still. How DARE Conde Nast kill such a stellar magazine, in favor of a piece of lightweight, shallow recipe-ism?

Gourmet wasn’t just pictures of
food, and recipes: it was poetry and fine prose, beautiful travel
essays… and culinary history. It was artistic excellence and
philosophical depth. I am a culinary history scholar (M.A. in American Studies) and have always found the writing and research in “Gourmet” to be top notch.

Bon Appetit is just shallow picture
spreads of Beautiful People eating. Food and Wine is too directed
towards the food industry. Saveur is full of itself. Gourmet had both
intellect AND a conscience, and their travel articles were astounding.