To those that read The Economist.. Do you read it all? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Grondar · 11-10-2004, 11:47 AM

I've read here (and elsewhere) that The Economist is a really good, un-biased news periodical, and I picked one up the other day..

The first thing I noticed is that it's a ton of news and info! Almost to the point of being overwhelming.

This made me wonder if those of you that do read The Economist (occasionally or often) read the entire magazine, or just skim through for articles that interest you?

It's neat they have news from all over the world, but to me it seems like almost too much.. And I'm curious if those of you that do read it, read it cover to cover, or just skim for articles of interest?

Orpheus · 11-10-2004, 02:31 PM

I am a subscriber and read most of their articles. The difference to me is their awareness of their own bias. Most media outlets try to hide their bias through nuanes in language; in comparison, the Economist is full disclosure.

Justsomeguy · 11-10-2004, 02:32 PM

I just look at the pictures.

Grondar · 11-10-2004, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orpheus

I am a subscriber and read most of their articles. The difference to me is their awareness of their own bias. Most media outlets try to hide their bias through nuanes in language; in comparison, the Economist is full disclosure.

Thanks for the reply.

I noticed their subscription is higher than most ($90 or so?). Do you consider it worth that price? I assume you do since you opted to subscribe, but do you have any regrets, or do you recommend this magazine above other similiar (and more "popular") ones?

metalgeek · 11-10-2004, 06:45 PM

I try and read pretty much everything, but it's alot to read in a week sometimes.
IT is a weekly news mag, so is it worth it? I find I learn more about the world form it than a weeks worth of my cities paper.
I occasionally skip some articles, but not many, mostly the ones on britain actually..

thingstodo · 11-11-2004, 04:36 AM

What percentage would you say is international news?

superiorrain · 11-11-2004, 05:59 AM

After 3 years of subscribing i have found generally i read the most part, remember it only comes out once a week so there is plenty of time. Then again some weeks i only read the parts that really interest me, or that i haven't heard about on the news that way i find i'm pretty much up to date with all the news.

As for the percentage that is international news, i'd say apart from the smallish section on Britain (which in my opinion is just as important) it's all international.

I'm yet to find a better un-biased news periodical or news paper.

Rodney · 11-11-2004, 05:23 PM

I used to subscribe to the Economist, but let my subscription lapse. I read about half of it, skimmed the rest. I thought that their international coverage was great, much better than in the American press. And their section on American news was a good eye on how others see us.

It _is_ biased, but they are very open about their bias and write the articles in such a way that you can fairly easily separate out their point of view from the basic content of the article. They present the facts and draw a conclusion, but it is obviously stated as _their_ conclusion and you are free to draw your own.

I found it a very valuable read. But, in the end, not $90 worth. I've got the Internet now, and I probably read 10 or 20 articles a day from selected newspapers from a variety of nations and viewpoints.

onetime2 · 11-11-2004, 06:24 PM

No. I don't believe I have ever read an issue in its entirety. There are, inevitably, sections that I have absolutely no interest in. And this in the face of having been stuck on planes and in airports for seemingly endless hours.

adam · 11-11-2004, 06:42 PM

I usually skim but occassionally read it all if I'm stuck in a waiting room or some such (I always bring reading material).

TheBrit · 11-12-2004, 09:57 AM

I read it every week, entire thing. As for how much is international news, it depends where you come from. It's an international news magazine, I don't know if the American version is different from the British though. I also read a couple of other news mags, and a couple of science ones. And a serious newspaper a day. Basically, I have an hour a day to fill, and the school library is most excellent.

WillyPete · 11-12-2004, 10:01 AM

I don't know about how you americans feel, but when I've spent more than a week in the US I feel absolutely STARVED for international news. I get really odd looks when I wander into a bar with cable and ask them to put CNN international on the box.
The US news programs on the regular channels are immensely introverted.

powerclown · 11-12-2004, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grondar

I've read here (and elsewhere) that The Economist is a really good, un-biased news periodical, and I picked one up the other day..

It's not bad. Much more international coverage than the usual American weekly periodicals. A fairly moderate stance, I appreciate the different regional viewpoint on world events. I don't know if it's changed, but when I last subscribed it was something like $250/yr. I haven't renewed. Rumor has it the pages are embedded with titanium for longevity...

Orpheus · 11-12-2004, 11:47 AM

Titanium embedded pages? That's interesting.

The Economist refers to itself as a newspaper and not a mag; there's that bit of dry English wit that keeps the sense of humor alive. If you don't want to shell out the moeny for a full subscription, a web based one is only $70 dollars; you'll get your money's worth, especially considering that a subscription to the NYT or WSJ is well over $100 a year.

Jimellow · 11-12-2004, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orpheus

Titanium embedded pages? That's interesting.

The Economist refers to itself as a newspaper and not a mag; there's that bit of dry English wit that keeps the sense of humor alive. If you don't want to shell out the moeny for a full subscription, a web based one is only $70 dollars; you'll get your money's worth, especially considering that a subscription to the NYT or WSJ is well over $100 a year.

Good point about the cost of major newspaper subscription costs in comparison.

I think one of the big draws of the magazine for me is that it does cover international news, and while I may not care about it all, or even read it all, it's nice to at least be exposed to something other than what's going on in America, and what I see on the TV every night.

It really is a lot of information.. I just picked up the issue on the news stand that reads, "Now, unite us," and I'm looking forward to reading most, or all of it, over the next few days.

I just like the fact that it covers so much of the world, and that the perspective is a non-American one. I can tell that after reading just a few issues I'll already know a lot more about the world outside the USA than I do now, which is a good thing.

I haven't subscribed yet, but I should.. I imagine it will arrive in reasonable time, as it's my understanding that the magazine is printed here in the USA, and doesn't have to be shipped overseas each week..

k1ng · 11-12-2004, 08:27 PM

I really enjoy reading The Economist, but I don't read it as often as I would like. When I do read it, I just read the articles that catch my attention.

I read a lot of the free articles online. I especially enjoy the city guides.

tellumFS · 11-12-2004, 09:55 PM

Once upon a time, when I felt I had more money, I tried to pick it up as often as I could. I found myself reading most of the articles, but found myself wishing that some were longer. Its nice that they touch on subjects that many American magazines avoid, and the journalism is above the other weekly news magazines.

Its on the list of things to subscribe to eventually, but a better paying job comes first.

11-10-2004, 11:47 AM	#1 (permalink)
Grondar Junkie Location: Pa, USA	To those that read The Economist.. Do you read it all? I've read here (and elsewhere) that The Economist is a really good, un-biased news periodical, and I picked one up the other day.. The first thing I noticed is that it's a ton of news and info! Almost to the point of being overwhelming. This made me wonder if those of you that do read The Economist (occasionally or often) read the entire magazine, or just skim through for articles that interest you? It's neat they have news from all over the world, but to me it seems like almost too much.. And I'm curious if those of you that do read it, read it cover to cover, or just skim for articles of interest? __________________ "Yes, I rather like this God fellow. He's very theatrical, you know, a pestilence here, a plague there. Omnipotence. Gotta get me some of that." -Stewie

11-11-2004, 04:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	What percentage would you say is international news? __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

11-11-2004, 05:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
superiorrain Psycho Location: London	After 3 years of subscribing i have found generally i read the most part, remember it only comes out once a week so there is plenty of time. Then again some weeks i only read the parts that really interest me, or that i haven't heard about on the news that way i find i'm pretty much up to date with all the news. As for the percentage that is international news, i'd say apart from the smallish section on Britain (which in my opinion is just as important) it's all international. I'm yet to find a better un-biased news periodical or news paper. __________________ "The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible." - Arthur C. Clarke

11-11-2004, 06:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
onetime2 Junkie Location: NJ	No. I don't believe I have ever read an issue in its entirety. There are, inevitably, sections that I have absolutely no interest in. And this in the face of having been stuck on planes and in airports for seemingly endless hours. __________________ Strive to be more curious than ignorant.

11-12-2004, 08:27 PM	#16 (permalink)
k1ng Nothing Location: Atlanta, GA	I really enjoy reading The Economist, but I don't read it as often as I would like. When I do read it, I just read the articles that catch my attention. I read a lot of the free articles online. I especially enjoy the city guides. __________________ "Delight in excellence is easily confused with snobbery by the ignorant." -Joseph Epstein

11-10-2004, 02:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Orpheus Upright Location: Los Angeles, CA	I am a subscriber and read most of their articles. The difference to me is their awareness of their own bias. Most media outlets try to hide their bias through nuanes in language; in comparison, the Economist is full disclosure.

11-10-2004, 02:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Justsomeguy Insane	I just look at the pictures.

11-10-2004, 06:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
metalgeek Insane Location: Calgary	I try and read pretty much everything, but it's alot to read in a week sometimes. IT is a weekly news mag, so is it worth it? I find I learn more about the world form it than a weeks worth of my cities paper. I occasionally skip some articles, but not many, mostly the ones on britain actually..

11-11-2004, 05:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	I used to subscribe to the Economist, but let my subscription lapse. I read about half of it, skimmed the rest. I thought that their international coverage was great, much better than in the American press. And their section on American news was a good eye on how others see us. It _is_ biased, but they are very open about their bias and write the articles in such a way that you can fairly easily separate out their point of view from the basic content of the article. They present the facts and draw a conclusion, but it is obviously stated as _their_ conclusion and you are free to draw your own. I found it a very valuable read. But, in the end, not $90 worth. I've got the Internet now, and I probably read 10 or 20 articles a day from selected newspapers from a variety of nations and viewpoints.

11-11-2004, 06:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
adam Insane	I usually skim but occassionally read it all if I'm stuck in a waiting room or some such (I always bring reading material).

11-12-2004, 09:57 AM	#11 (permalink)
TheBrit Psycho	I read it every week, entire thing. As for how much is international news, it depends where you come from. It's an international news magazine, I don't know if the American version is different from the British though. I also read a couple of other news mags, and a couple of science ones. And a serious newspaper a day. Basically, I have an hour a day to fill, and the school library is most excellent.

11-12-2004, 10:01 AM	#12 (permalink)
WillyPete Addict	I don't know about how you americans feel, but when I've spent more than a week in the US I feel absolutely STARVED for international news. I get really odd looks when I wander into a bar with cable and ask them to put CNN international on the box. The US news programs on the regular channels are immensely introverted.

11-12-2004, 11:47 AM	#14 (permalink)
Orpheus Upright Location: Los Angeles, CA	Titanium embedded pages? That's interesting. The Economist refers to itself as a newspaper and not a mag; there's that bit of dry English wit that keeps the sense of humor alive. If you don't want to shell out the moeny for a full subscription, a web based one is only $70 dollars; you'll get your money's worth, especially considering that a subscription to the NYT or WSJ is well over $100 a year.

11-12-2004, 09:55 PM	#17 (permalink)
tellumFS Tilted	Once upon a time, when I felt I had more money, I tried to pick it up as often as I could. I found myself reading most of the articles, but found myself wishing that some were longer. Its nice that they touch on subjects that many American magazines avoid, and the journalism is above the other weekly news magazines. Its on the list of things to subscribe to eventually, but a better paying job comes first.