Clay Shirky, has made some interesting comments lately along with many other academics about the future of the print press next year: credit doom abounding.
His comments on mags run something like this:
The great advantage magazines have is glossy pictures. It's better to read on paper than on the web but it's much better to look at pictures on paper than on the net. Brides magazine is going to be the last one standing.
The book world is more secure. I think the big revolution is going to be print on demand. Imagine only having one browsing copy of every book in a bookstore. You could say "Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers looks good", and out pops a brand new copy. Why does a bookstore or a publisher have to be in the shipping and warehousing business?
The job of the next decade is mostly going to be taking the raw revolutionary capability that's now apparent and really seeing what we can do with it.
I agree with the importance in magazines needing photos - and this being part of the 'relaxionary' influence they have, indeed have always had. By their very nature they are there to be enjoyed in peace, piece by piece.
I can't agree, however, with notions of its insecurity. Any media organisation can survive right now with the right culture of innovation. Rebranding might be required. Rebuilding business models will definitely be required. But magazines in both print and online formatts with always be required.
