Having spent many years in the auto magazine business I'll say "Bryan, you are
partially correct. However you are giving them the benefit of the doubt."
The number one primary purpose of a magazine is to make money, period. How do
they make money? Selling advertising space. If you don't keep your advertisers
happy, you lose them. Items used in how-to articles are the products of
advertisers and not picked because of some quality factor. Car-of-the-year
awards are sold. Yes, sold. Articles in magazines fill the space between the
ads, no more, no less. Anything you learn from a consumer magazine is either
coincidental or a bonus.
Know why they call auto enthusiasts "Car Buffs?" Because the magazine industry
referred to it's readership as Bufoons. Simple, ain't it?
Bob Denton
-----Original Message-----
>From: Bryan Savage <b.a.savage@wildblue.net>
>Sent: Oct 22, 2006 2:48 PM
>To: List Land Speed <land-speed@autox.team.net>
>Subject: Magazine Test Data
>
>List,
>The following is based on the knowledge of a High School Grad.
>who reads a lot --- Me.
>
>Magazines exist to entertain people.
>Peer reviewed scientific journals exist to present verified factual data.
>Scientists go to the journals and request that their data be reviewed
>and published.
>
>I think Magazines have a much harder time of it. They must find subjects
>that their readers will enjoy reading. When they plan a test, time and
>expense are major factors that must be controlled.
>
>Sometimes they, for many reasons, can't do an accurate test and will
>provide what they can, if it's entertaining. Good Magazines like
>Hot Rod will let you know when the results are influenced by subjective
>opinions. Some don't.
>
>OBTW: A one year subscription to some scientific journals will set you
>back over $1,000.00.
|