Conference turris::womannotes-v2

    It seemed to me like it "sold out" several years ago -- in terms of
    its purpose, focus, emphasis, etc.  It became too much like other
    "women's magazines!"
    
    Nancy
    
    PS - Has anyone read the new magazine "Moxie"?  It looks like it has
    *potential* for middle-aged women.  I definitely didn't care for
    "Lear," though -- just slick advertising!

    Re .1, I agree, the last couple of years it got mundane and I stopped
    buying it.  At one time I used to love it, and couldn't wait to
    read each new issue.
    
    Lorna
    

    I too stopped buying about a year ago.  Gloria Steinem left - the
    editor changed and the whole magazine went down hill.  I gave it about
    six months and then dropped it.  It became too much like the other
    women's magazines and frankly I wasn't interested in reading about make
    up and fashion in MS. Magazine.  It's really too bad - I use to love
    reading it.
    
    Suzanne

    I second the previous notes - I was a subscriber for YEARS, but
    cancelled after a total format change a few years ago........
    

    re: back a few
    
    What's this "moxie" magazine?  never saw it... tell us about it.
    
    I too canceled my Ms. subscription, but still get it, as a NOW 
    member (currently in, previously out, probably out again before 
    long...)
    
    As for the new Ms...i agree its much too slick, too much junk
    on fashion, makeup, etc.  But, I haven't heard its been done in...
    is it?
    
    deb
    

    Moxie is a new magazine targeted at women 40+.  So is Lear, but Lear
    seems like it expects middle-aged women to be rich, glamorous, and
    willing to spend lots of discretionary income!  I got the premier issue
    of Moxie and haven't seen the next issue.  It at least has some
    possibility of being more down-to-earth and of addressing some women's
    interests other than getting sex-and-communication right, raising
    your kids, decorating your home, and cooking healthy meals!
    
    It's been awhile since I looked at that copy, though, and even then I
    knew I would have to withhold judgment till I can see more of it! 
    
    Nancy

    re .6/Moxie:
    
    After hearing the recommendation for "Moxie", when I was at
    a newsstand last week, I picked it up and thumbed through it,
    and it looked like the same old women's magazines that have
    been with us forever.  Ms. magazine, as is, *appears* to be
    *much better* than Moxie.  At least Ms. still has *some* political
    reporting in it, Moxie appeared to me to be yet another clone
    of "Self" magazine.
    

    I got the Jan. issue of Moxie this week-end.  Remember that
    my "recommendation" was/is conditional, not whole-hearted.
    It definitely *isn't* what Ms. *used* to be!  But it interests
    *me* more than the recent issues of Ms -- and I disagree that is it the
    "same old women's magazines."  
    
    (That may be just a factor of age; Moxie definitely is not a *young*
    woman's magazine, and there haven't been *any* mags for not-young women
    before!)
    
    For example, it contains an article on the Goddess and on matrist(?)
    (as opposed to matriarchal) societies, which I found extremely
    interesting -- and also still unusual for "popular press!"
    
    Nancy

    How many here received "the purple letter" this past week and
    what did you think of the new concept of no advertising in
    the new MS. Magazine?  Will you "vote" for this or will you
    abstain?  Why??

    justme....jacqui

    boy do I feel silly asking this ;)......but
    
    what *is* "the purple letter"?
    
    -Jody
    

>    what *is* "the purple letter"?
    
Hawthorn's novel updated for the fashion-conscious '90's.

Martin.


    

    re:  <----- the last several

    The "PURPLE LETTER" is the new advertising gimmick of Ms. Magazine
    to get back into the readership's good graces.  It is an explanation
    of their new concept of accepting no advertising but depending on
    the readership's wallets to fund the magazine.  It will cost $40.00
    a year for a charter membership and two years for $70.00.  If they
    get enough membership support, they will again start to publish
    Ms. Magazine with articles only.....no advertising.

    I guess you two haven't received your letter yet!  Oh, well....

    justme....jacqui
    

Yes, jacqui, I got it last Wednesday, and I've been thinking about it 
ever since.

On the one hand, almost anything has to be better than the watered down
version they've been coming out with for the past year or so.  I mean,
feminist fashion?  Sure, it's a possible topic, but having it as a regular
department is so obviously a ploy to keep a certain category of advertiser
happy.  

On the other hand, I doubt that the publisher is trying this experiment
out of the goodness of his/her heart -- he has to expect some profit 
somewhere.  I keep wondering what the catch is.

On the other hand, anything with Robin Morgan as editor is going to be 
feisty.

On the other hand, it is expensive, even by my standards.  It's just about
got to make Ms. even more white-middle-class than it is now, despite 
the letter's blather about international feminism etc.  

All in all -- I dunno.  What did you think?

--bonnie

    bonnie,

    I had mixed emotions about it.....i.e. cost being a major issue.
    I must say that they have presented the concept in an intriguing
    way so that it appears that they are doing the old market a favor
    and letting them vote on whether this concept will be workable.
    They are only looking to see if the market will bear the cost and
    whether the market will go for the two year bargain!  ;*}

    What would be wrong with a controlled advertising market and a 
    slightly higher subscription rate....sort of a compromise by them
    to police themselves with their advertisors?   They stating what 
    the magazine is not the advertisors telling them upfront.  A new
    concept to be sure!!!  Called magazine integrity.  Guess it would
    not fly!!!  Oh, well......

    I guess it will take me a while to decide to send or not send my
    "vote" in.  Will check to see if there is a cancellation after 
    first issue if I do "vote" yes.

    justme....jacqui
  

    There is a magazine in India called "MANUSHI" along the lines of the
    proposed new "MS". It has been going on for 11 years. During my recent
    trip to India, I met the editors, and was very highly impressed  with
    their dedication. I subscribe for "MANUSHI". Due budget or time problems
    they do miss an issue now and then, but I do get a card explaining the 
    reason, and the next issue has in depth articles to make up for the
    missed issue.  The subsrciption rate is two tier system, and depends on 
    honesty. If you can afford, pay the higher rate, if not, pay the lower
    rate. Some women from rich families do not have access to money, and
    can't pay the higher rate, so the decision is left to the reader. I was
    told, some folks pay twice the higher rate to support "MANUSHI".  I was
    told the rate has evolved over time.

    Since I got the "MS" packet, I have been asking around to see the
    response, and it amazes me at the reaction to the cost. Some times I
    feel women in the third world countries are really willing to  pay for
    equality, but the folks in advanced countries expect some  one else to
    pay for their equality. 

    I am sending in for two subscription: one for myself and one for my 
    mother in India. 

    I am not pointing fingers, just  reflecting on the cultural
    differences.

    Arun.
    

Good point, Arun.  I hadn't thought of looking at it this way -- 
it's very easy to forget that the freedom to print something like this
doesn't come free, and that the press is an important instrument of
equality.

Living with the abundance -- perhaps overabundance -- of magazines, it's
easy to think of MS as just another publication with a special-interest
audience.  One begins to think that "equality" refers only to direct
political action, or arguing about one's job evaluation and salary.  

But the right to speak or write the world the way we see it is very 
valuable too.

--bonnie