Monocle (the magazine)

Douglas · May 3, 2010

I happened across an issue of this in my hotel yesterday. It looked pretty interesting, if at times sort of contrived and overly self-aware. Still, I was piqued enough to maybe want more... but a subscription is pretty pricey.

Anyone get this magazine? Curious to know if it's consistently more thought-provoking than irritating.

indesertum · May 3, 2010

i have a few editions i bought in -_- korea. it is a little headyish, but i like it a lot. i learned a lot from it

TheFoo · May 3, 2010

Commie rag.

StephenHero · May 3, 2010

The magazine basically aggregates the nebulous world of erudite late 20's to early 30 post-hipsterdom. I've never done more than glance through it, but I like the design quite a bit.

Mr Herbert · May 3, 2010

pick it up from time to time. equal portion of interesting to completely boring articles.

holymadness · May 3, 2010

Bourgeois bohemian ad copy. Every section is dedicated to hawking the latest overpriced consumer wares by disguising product placement as a real article complete with faux-retro illustrations reminiscent of Playboy in the 50s and strategically chosen buzzwords ("eco-friendly," "hand-made," etc.) targeting the desired demographic of left-leaning yuppies and dinks yearning for authenticity in their purchases. Easily half the magazine consists of 'collaborations' -- bearing the requisite 'Monocle x brandname' moniker -- between the editors and various corporations. Pretentious in the extreme, the magazine sells an image devoid of content. I bought two issues before realizing I was paying them to show me advertisements.

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Commie rag.
lol wut?

David Watts · May 3, 2010

Appears to be entrenched in the backlash section of the current hype cycle.

"There are so many Monocle Man clothing labels popping up right now that is has almost become a genre in itself. Take a vaguely old-fashioned sounding name, maybe put a waxed jacket in there and a pair of Quoddy boots and play some Seasick Steve in the background."

gamblor · May 3, 2010

I must buy what Monocle instructs me to, next is a laptop bag:

TheFoo · May 3, 2010

Originally Posted by holymadness

lol wut?
They are consistently anti-American and anti-free market--hence the dozens of articles per issue about improving urban life through heavy-handed regulation and planning and touting the superiority of northern European cities. It's as if they believe the reason why there isn't a cobblestoned main street--with a high-end grooming lounge, bespoke tailor, and antiquarian book shop--in every town is simply because people are too stupid to realize they need one and local authorities didn't write the right laws. That said, I buy the magazine from time to time. It's very pretty and very pleasant to flip through.

Douglas · May 3, 2010

Originally Posted by mafoofan

They are consistently anti-American and anti-free market--hence the dozens of articles per issue about improving urban life through heavy-handed regulation and planning and touting the superiority of northern European cities. It's as if they believe the reason why there isn't a cobblestoned main street--with a high-end grooming lounge, bespoke tailor, and antiquarian book shop--in every town is simply because people are too stupid to realize they need one and local authorities didn't write the right laws.

That said, I buy the magazine from time to time. It's very pretty and very pleasant to flip through.

This is an entertaining post. 5 stars.

gdl203 · May 3, 2010

Originally Posted by holymadness

Bourgeois bohemian ad copy. Every section is dedicated to hawking the latest overpriced consumer wares by disguising product placement as a real article complete with faux-retro illustrations reminiscent of Playboy in the 50s and strategically chosen buzzwords ("eco-friendly," "hand-made," etc.) targeting the desired demographic of left-leaning yuppies and dinks yearning for authenticity in their purchases. Easily half the magazine consists of 'collaborations' -- bearing the requisite 'Monocle x brandname' moniker -- between the editors and various corporations.
So you like it? Me too.

TRINI · May 3, 2010

I used to buy it but I found myself reading it less and less because the articles didn't interest me as much.

Like Foo said though, it's very pretty to look at.

holymadness · May 3, 2010

Originally Posted by mafoofan

They are consistently anti-American and anti-free market--hence the dozens of articles per issue about improving urban life through heavy-handed regulation and planning and touting the superiority of northern European cities. It's as if they believe the reason why there isn't a cobblestoned main street--with a high-end grooming lounge, bespoke tailor, and antiquarian book shop--in every town is simply because people are too stupid to realize they need one and local authorities didn't write the right laws.

That said, I buy the magazine from time to time. It's very pretty and very pleasant to flip through.

Originally Posted by gdl203

So you like it? Me too.
It's not so much that I object to them pandering to the bobo demographic, it's that I don't think they do it particularly well. But I guess it's just meant to be a pretty magazine for detatched consumers.

Yo-han · May 3, 2010

nicely designed/illustrated but boring as ****

summej2 · May 3, 2010

Yes, the article copy falls short of the goal in many cases. I listen to the weekend pod cast too, where the topics themselves (and the guests) are usually much more interesting than the discussion that occurs.

Generally my relationship with the magazine is defined by the experience that each time I purchase one I find that another item I have owned and used for years has been brought in their stable of approved products.

Monocle (the magazine)

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