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[Ecrofirt]

So I've got this assignment due later today. We were supposed to read through Harper's, and answer some basic questions about it. After reading through, I'm still pretty loast as to how to answer some of the questions.

1) Is it periodical liberal or conservative? After reading through it, I've decided it's liberal.
2) Does it primarily focus on domestic or world events? I *think* it tends to focus more on world events.
3) What is the view toward business and labor?
4) What audience is the periodical aimed at?

As for 2-4, I'm a bit lost.

Any help you can give me in the next hour and a half will be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[Ecrofirt]

bump.

I have around a half-hour left guys. If anyone can help, you'd be like a god to me.

 

[demi]

You're always asking for help, wimp!

TIME TO MEET YOUR MAKER

 

[Ecrofirt]

I'm always asking questions, period.

I find it's the best way to learn. Now someone freaking help me. This damn Harper's is > me

 

[Mandark]

Harper's is definitely liberal, and in an old school way. What I've read has focused a bit more on domestic stuff, but it's really not constrained either way. It's definitely pro-labor, and would be against laissez faire capitalism. It's aimed at liberal intellectuals. More middle-aged, if you need to talk about specific demographics.

 

[Ecrofirt]

Thanks Mandark.

I've read through it, and from what I've read it seems to bounce around from topic to topic.

 

[AstroLad]

In terms of domestic vs. foreign, it's all over the map, it really depends on the issue, more domestic though overall. They also print some really good fiction/nonfiction pieces not related to any issue in particular (such as my favorite piece of writing, ever, Annie Dillard's essay "The Wreck of Time"). The target audience is most likely middle-age, but a lot of the short 1/4 page pieces and the Harper's Index (compilation of very interesting statistics in every issue) have a more "hip" feel to the writing and piece selection. There's also photography, modern art, etc. sprinkled throughout.

This was my favorite magazine when I was a kid, so I have fond memories, but imo has lost some of its charm in recent years.

 

[Mandark]

Yeah, it's not necessarily a political magazine. It's like the New Yorker: covering many different topics (not always the same ones), in short bites and in long essays, but generally chosen to appeal to a literate crowd, who tend to be liberal, if not always activists.

 

[AstroLad]

Yeah, it's not necessarily a political magazine. It's like the New Yorker: covering many different topics (not always the same ones), in short bites and in long essays, but generally chosen to appeal to a literate crowd, who tend to be liberal, if not always activists.

I remember they had a piece on the weight crisis in America w/ the author taking some very controversial stands (Howard freaking Stern actually talked about the article the next day, biggest wtf moment ever was hearing a discussion of Harper's on his show), such as the notion that being overweight has gained too much acceptance in our culture, with a resulting negative impact on health; there were some other points too but the article was definitely out there and interesting. I think Harper's will print something if its ballsy and intelligent, regardless of the political persuasion (at least they used to), I remember there was a great article on minor league hockey in the issue w/ the Dillard piece.