It’s been ages since I’ve sat down and read a magazine. But there are times when I don’t have the motivation to read a book and I just want a quick, well-written article to enjoy.
To give an example of the sort of content, someone shared this interesting article on Lemmy the other day about the ways in which far right tech CEOs mimic AIs being trained on their own data. It was a really fascinating idea!
I’m not too fussy about the content - science, technology, gaming, nature, opinion pieces, politics (but not too heavy).
For the longest time I used to get the National Geographic, which always had good content. But I feel a bit burnt out with those. Something along these lines on another topic would be perfect.
Can anyone recommend any particular magazines?
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Might fall foul of your ‘not too heavy’ politics requirement but I love my Private Eye subscription.
It’s one of two magazines I still buy; the other being Viz comic, the other end of the spectrum.
I used to enjoy Fortean Times too; not sure whether the quality of the articles declined, or if my tastes got more refined. Probably a bit of both
Does your local library membership include electronic magazines via an app like PressReader? Mine does and there are a ton of free magazines of all genres. In general they have the last three months worth of issues and it might help you find one you like before you buy a paper copy (if indeed that’s your style). Subscriptions are nearly always massively cheaper than buying in the shops.
I particularly enjoy Uncut, as being the best of all the music magazines IMHO. One of the only ones I read cover to cover is Linux Format. And I have a subscription to Retrogamer, but to be honest that’s not very good anymore and I won’t be renewing it.
Yes my local library does have PressReader and I was thinking of checking out the magazines that way like you say :) There are a huge number of options on there though!
It’s a shame that Retrogamer has fallen in quality. Do you know of any other gaming magazines that have pieces worth reading?
I find about 20-25% of Retrogamer still worth reading. I wonder if it’s as much because it feels like they are retreading old ground or dredging up obscure and not especially interesting content.
Sadly Wireframe is no more, that was my favourite magazine of the last few years… I enjoy Switch Player and Debug Magazine, but these are both boutique low run mags that you need to order directly. I don’t rate the mainstream gaming magazines much, to be honest.
Debug sounds interesting. Looking at the website, it sounds like it focuses on upcoming indie games? Is it long form content, or mostly previews/reviews?
It’s mostly reviews, previews, short features and interviews. Quite traditional. Issues 1 and 2 are free to download as PDFs on their website if you want to check them out.
Options:
- New Scientist - I used to read it religiously and you get the right balance of detail and digestibility, at least for me. Others could find it to be a bit too much.
- BBC Science Focus - not read it much but it’s a lighter read than New Scientist without dumbing it down.
- Fortran Times - covers science and archaeology developments as well as odd news and out-there weirdness often with tongue firmly in cheek.
- History Today - one of the leading history magazines
- BBC History - another accessible history mag from the Beeb. They produce a few others that could be of interest: Countryfile, Sky St Night, Wildlife and Music.
- Prospect magazine - not read it but it’s a popular general-interest magazine that doesn’t dumb things down.
- The Idler - it may be of interest but it’s come and gone a few times since I last read it.
Best bet might be sampling a few and see what tickles your fancy.
Fortran Times is less entertaining read than Fortean Times!
Spellchecker! I thought I had you properly trained!
Dumn thise spollingchuckers!
First seven characters are comments, for sorting the cards automatically if you drop them on the floor, obviously. Strictly 80 characters per line.
This guy Forteans.
Note that New Scientist was acquired by the Daily Mail in 2021…
I had noticed it’s quality dwindling for some years before, this really puts the nail in the coffin. Far too many “cancer cure” articles that amount to nothing, too many fluff articles (purchase by DM makes sense…), or explaing the same physics / tech things for the umpteenth time. I lost interest.
I hadn’t considered the BBC ones, that’s a good suggestion. I like the sound of Prospect, but unfortunately it doesn’t appear to be available via my library - perhaps once to buy physically if I see it around. Thank you!
Yes, the library is a good option for testing out a lot of magazines before you commit.
I can second new scientist, I don’t get a copy often anymore but it’s still a great magazine
This is likely to be an unpopular suggestion because of who it is and it being a paid service, but Apple News+ has actually got me back into reading magazines for the first time in at least a decade.
I’m already locked in to Apple because of all the family’s devices, so I pay for Apple One which covers all the family’s music and storage subscriptions etc, but one of the elements I get more use of than I ever expected are the magazines available as part of News+.
There’s a ton of them available such as National Geographic, Time, Empire, New Scientist etc, which I regularly read. Probably better experienced on an iPad rather than a phone due to the format, but it’s been great to have access to all of them without having to buy a physical magazine, although that may actually be what you’re after.
There’s a list of the publications here, some of which are crap, but a lot of which are things I would read if they were to hand on a coffee table.
Anyway, the reason for the recommendation is, there’s a lot of choice, and since it’s essentially a paid subscription to all of them, you can easily sample some and see which publications appeal.
The Guardian does a weekly magazine of their long form articles. I’ve impulse bought it a few times when going on long journeys and it’s very good.
I’ve considered subscribing but it’s £18 per month (discounted from £27 for the 1st year) and that’s a lot for me.
Oh neat, that’s one I’ve never really considered but it sounds ideal!
The subscription lets you use the App ad free and some other bits like their food guide, and most of the time it’s real journalism without the usual right wing bias… which apparently makes it left wing… but to me it’s just center/apolitical.
If you’re into music production, I find Computer Music & Future Music both to be interesting enough to keep me looking at them
Others people have already mentioned in Private Eye & New Scientist
Sound on sound was always well worth a read. That said, I haven’t read it in about 20 years and don’t know if it’s even still going.
suggestions because i think they’re well written, no political inclination intended - always read a broad range of opinions
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The Economist (I find the whole thing a bit too much, too niche, but for core articles it’s very well written and sourced)
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Readers Digest - fantastic variety of short human-based stories
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National Geographic - same
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Spectator - for a certain point of view
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Guardian Weekly - for a certain point of view
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