the economist did an off-line spam run this weekend by sending (“loyal readers to the economist”) a bundled stack of t.p.: intelligent life. knowledge is pleasure. others may call it a magazine, although i seriously doubt it after flipping through it.

economist inteligent unit: up yours

dear subscriber
(…)
written with the same curiosity, relevance and wit for which the economist is renowned, intelligent life will help you make the most of your time outside work.
(…)
yours sincerely

des mcsweeney
publisher, intelligent life

first of all, des mcsweeney: i don’t need your help with making the most of my time. my time is none of your business. and people who need someone else to make most of their time outside work need to seek professional help. NOT A F-ING MAGAZINE!
second: your magazine sucks. it’s hopelessly out of touch. why in the hell do you publish a photo essay about hunting in france bloated with bloody stock photography? is this what you call curiosity and wit?
third: the economist newspaper limited corporation is a cheap bastard. my copy, delivered january 4th, dates back to the autumn of 2007. 124 pages of bullshit about five of the world’s best…patisseries, oliver rowe explains how to buy wild mushrooms, it’s july and the shops are stocking up for christmas: amid the angels and the ice-cream, jackie hunter tests the merchandise. is this what you call relevance?
already outdated when it came out. no-one buys it. economist takes it back. and… sends it to her subscribers as a big fuck you. terribly disappointing. (kp)