People is the name of a magazine solely dedicated to the dumbing down of the masses on a monthly basis by publishing articles and gossip about so called celebrities and what their latest trials and tribulations might be. Other articles include mostly “feel good stories” and other so-called stories of human interest.
If you don’t believe me take a gander at a smattering of the October 15, 2012 edition in which you’ll be treated to such breathtaking stories such as:
Jennie Garth Tells PEOPLE: How I Got My Body (and My Life) Back! – spoiler, she lost 30 pounds.
Anne Hathaway’s Dream Wedding
Rosie O’ Donnel: My Heart Attack Saved My Life
A Saved By The Bell Star’s Sad Spiral
Mindy Kaling: Out Of Office
Veterans Who Help When Disaster Hits
Arnold Schwarzenegger: I Want Maria Back
John Taylor: Rock Star Gone Good
Usually only found in worn and weathered past editions in waiting rooms of dentists and doctors throughout the land, People has given its readership many journalist masterpieces that include such categories as Sexiest Man Alive, Sexiest Woman Alive, Most Beautiful People, Best Dressed People and Most Intriguing People of the Year. While thumbing through a recent edition (circa November 2010) at my latest visit to the doctor I was pleasantly surprised when upon reading the names of these individuals most of them would be complete strangers to me.
The first edition of People (then called People Weekly) hit the stands way back in March of 1974. An early indication of its journalistic philosophy might be best summed up by its original managing editor who stated that the purpose of the magazine was to “getting back to the people who are causing the news and who are caught up in it, or deserve to be in it. Our focus is on people, not issues." The original price was 35 cents and I probably wouldn’t be willing to pay that today in its current format.
That’s not to say other people won’t. I think the newsstand cost is roughly $3.99 per edition but if you choose to subscribe that can be brought down based on the package you elect. With a current readership estimated at around 46.6 million adults it has the largest audience of any magazine in America. In an effort to undermine an entire generation of younger readers it even spawned an evil twin back in 1998 called Teen People but thankfully ceased publication of that in 2006.
I know that to some of you I might be coming down a bit hard on the magazine and its contents and I realize that people like to be entertained and take a break from most of the depressing news that is going on all around them. However, I will say this. Due to the success of People and its many imitators the way much of the general public perceives the news has shifted over the years. Many can’t be bothered by reading in depth news stories that might have a direct bearing on their lives and would rather hear about the current flavor of the day and their recent lovechild or what their favorite donut is.
To me, that’s a sad state of affairs.
Source(s)
Various waiting rooms in dentist and doctors offices
Hotel lobbies
Emergency room waiting rooms
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_(magazine)