I used to be a contributing editor at Rolling Stone magazine, which sounds a lot cooler than it was. Basically, if you hung around long enough you got to be one, because they weren't going to pay you any more for your copy. Still, I learned a lot working for that magazine, wrote a few stories I still think of fondly, and had a whole heap of fun. There were lots of free tickets to concerts and stuff like that. And they let me sleep on the couch.
It was beyond disappointing, trending towards really fucking upsetting actually, to learn that the old rag had given itself over to pimped editorial.
Basically, you can buy your way into the publication now. Some bullshit, bottom feeding scheme which charges complete idiots $2000 to give them access to the editorial section of the website. It's promoted as being a way for "thought leaders" to put themselves out there, but the use of the phrase "thought leader" should tell you al you need to know about this shit.
It's a desperate, undignified grab for funds from a once proud masthead. Hunter S Thompson would be rolling in his grave, if he hadn't had his ashes shot into orbit.
Good thing I gave up giving them money decades ago. I went digging and found that "Members get exclusive access to Rolling Stone Culture Council’s web badges, decals, and press release templates." That could be a game changer... Where's my wallet?
...I'm gonna buy 5 copies for my mother.
I prefer to use the older, more dignified word for paying to add content to a magazine: Advertising.
"Thought leaders?" Sure. In a race to the bottom.
For $2000, I’d want my photo on the cover
And some blue eyed teenage groupies
Good thing I gave up giving them money decades ago. I went digging and found that "Members get exclusive access to Rolling Stone Culture Council’s web badges, decals, and press release templates." That could be a game changer... Where's my wallet?
mmmm "thought leaders" yes I can imagine the quality and deep insight this project will produce.