Spectator and The Economist
Discussion
Yipper said:
The Economist was the best magazine on Earth, until it changed editors a year or so ago and lurched to the hard-left. It was always factual and neutral. But it has become as bad as the Guardian in recent months. The articles have become about virtue-signalling to other smug lefties, rather than providing impartial analysis. So, if you want something politically or culturally neutral, best to look elsewhere now.
I recently subscribed and was surprised that it was more "Liberal Elite" than I had imagined. That explains it.To the OP I would recommend The Week. Everything you need to know about all that matters, after the hysteria has died down.
I don't subscribe to either but I have been more impressed recently with some of the links to the Spectator that have been posted in NP&E - far more balanced* than other media.
* I freely accept that the balance may be alignment with my own views but I don't view myself as rabidly right or left wing
* I freely accept that the balance may be alignment with my own views but I don't view myself as rabidly right or left wing
I own up to subscribing to all three, plus the Sunday Times. The Economist does seem to have been taken over by lefty knob jobs but having subscribed to 20 years I'll stick with it. My annoyance about the Spectator is the very significant proportion dedicated to arty reviews. I am not in the slightest bit interested in them although they seem to occupy an increasing proportion. Between the two you probably get a reasonable balance. Rapidly pro Brexit versus the other thing although Paris on his own tries to provide balance in the Spectator by himself.
As some form of progress on this, I managed to get eyes over a copy of the Economist in a local library , and 20 minutes of reading such was enough to ascertain its not for me, came across as even more pompous than the Guardian.
Have purchased a copy of the Spectator and have found it superb reading. It perhaps goes to show as to the level of hysterics in the MSM when Brexit is mentioned. Bercows support for remain, was the only thing I read/heard concerning his speech to students, however , the other comments he made, to me unreported, were indeed a severe breach of impartiality . Parris attempts to support Bercow, but only by highlighting the flaws in previous incumbents, which to me, is a weak argument, but interesting non the same.
I'm impressed , but as the post above mentions , an awful lot of the mag is arty farty stuff, most of which is of little interest , so, is effectively half the mag worth it? We shall see.
I managed to get a copy of the Sunday Times this morning, so something to absorb over the coming week.so not formed an impression as yet, I'd perhaps look at the Sunday Telegraph as well , but the Barclays have made such a mess of the DT, I'm reluctant to bother. Hopefully they will not mete out the same treatment to the Spectator.
Hoping to grap a copy of The Week in the next few days, and maybe come to a conclusion, and even spend some money.
Have purchased a copy of the Spectator and have found it superb reading. It perhaps goes to show as to the level of hysterics in the MSM when Brexit is mentioned. Bercows support for remain, was the only thing I read/heard concerning his speech to students, however , the other comments he made, to me unreported, were indeed a severe breach of impartiality . Parris attempts to support Bercow, but only by highlighting the flaws in previous incumbents, which to me, is a weak argument, but interesting non the same.
I'm impressed , but as the post above mentions , an awful lot of the mag is arty farty stuff, most of which is of little interest , so, is effectively half the mag worth it? We shall see.
I managed to get a copy of the Sunday Times this morning, so something to absorb over the coming week.so not formed an impression as yet, I'd perhaps look at the Sunday Telegraph as well , but the Barclays have made such a mess of the DT, I'm reluctant to bother. Hopefully they will not mete out the same treatment to the Spectator.
Hoping to grap a copy of The Week in the next few days, and maybe come to a conclusion, and even spend some money.
Hosenbugler said:
I'm impressed , but as the post above mentions , an awful lot of the mag is arty farty stuff, most of which is of little interest , so, is effectively half the mag worth it? We shall see.
A lot of it is reviews of arty stuff certainly, but I often find the reviews are interesting even if I've no desire to see the play or read the book being reviewed.Spectator is excellent; it looks a thin read but that is only because it isn't packed out with ads. I enjoy all the columnists - and I speak as a liberal pinko (if not sadly, part of any elite or new world order). The only one who I often want to thump is Charles Moore - so shire county reactionary in his ways and he's bloody younger than me. Reviews are terrific as well- I will own up to being a bit arty in my interests. Nearly cancelled our sub when bloody Boris won a prize for his childish ditty about Erdogan though. It wasn't the subject matter but the fact he was a former editor.
I've said it before - the worst thing you can do is only to read media which reflect your own views .
I've said it before - the worst thing you can do is only to read media which reflect your own views .
By subscribing, what more can i see with the online version of the spectator ?
Than whats here already, as can read the articles for free as it is?
http://www.spectator.co.uk/
Than whats here already, as can read the articles for free as it is?
http://www.spectator.co.uk/
I used to go to my library and read both of them, Spec and Eco, while my wife was shopping. I didn't go from cover to cover but read what took my interest. Always a good read for both.
Now, however, rather than remove them from the shelf in the reference section, I have to queue for them at the desk as, it seems, people steal them. Is that a point in their favour, or is the fact that thieves read them a point against?
Now, however, rather than remove them from the shelf in the reference section, I have to queue for them at the desk as, it seems, people steal them. Is that a point in their favour, or is the fact that thieves read them a point against?
I was always brought up on The Spectator being the pinko commie mag of choice, Economist the hard, dry facts and PE as a good bog read.
At uni I would go to Economist for fact, PE for entertainment and spectator if we had run out of loo paper.
These days 20 years on nearly PE is holiday read of choice but like it's editor not sure I could enjoy it as much if I saw it every week. Every so often and with a packet of Saxon and it's all good. As another poster said there is a bit too much for you to believe all you read and there are certainly 'errors' that even I know are no as relayed by PE.
I have not touched the Spectator but am coming to the opinion I should.
I have been very disappointed in the way the Economist has sold its soul, but I'm admit has not been the same hard, even, and factual news source it once was for a while.
These days it is more true than ever before that you have to have more than one source.
'Fake News' and 'Post Truth' seem to rule not only the net and tv/radio media but also print. These days find to out what is really going on you just can't trust any publication on its own.
At uni I would go to Economist for fact, PE for entertainment and spectator if we had run out of loo paper.
These days 20 years on nearly PE is holiday read of choice but like it's editor not sure I could enjoy it as much if I saw it every week. Every so often and with a packet of Saxon and it's all good. As another poster said there is a bit too much for you to believe all you read and there are certainly 'errors' that even I know are no as relayed by PE.
I have not touched the Spectator but am coming to the opinion I should.
I have been very disappointed in the way the Economist has sold its soul, but I'm admit has not been the same hard, even, and factual news source it once was for a while.
These days it is more true than ever before that you have to have more than one source.
'Fake News' and 'Post Truth' seem to rule not only the net and tv/radio media but also print. These days find to out what is really going on you just can't trust any publication on its own.
coppice said:
You will not find too many panty waist liberal , lady boy fags (etc ) in the Spectator these days...
Matthew Parris has a good go some weeks, especially about Brexit 
I've subscribed to the Spectator for a few years now, my parents never know what to get me for Christmas so one year I just told them to get me a sub and they've carried on ever since. Beats getting yet another Top Gear book, novelty 'man stuff' from some awful catalogue they got in the paper and socks I'll never wear.
Rod Liddle is always good value, Taki is bonkers and the aforementioned Parris is a good writer who puts his feelings into his work (for better or worse) and a good foil to the more rightwing articles. Fraser Nelson seems to have the ear of a lot of Westminster so his political articles are usually pretty enlightening and the arty stuff is often very well written, I've bought several books after reading reviews in the Speccie.
I quite often disagree with articles in the spectator, but they are well argued, well written and make you interrogate your own beliefs. Which is what good media should so.
I tend to find myself agreeing with the economist more, which is why I make sure I read the spectator.
Both are great examples of quality journalism, but one of them is a bit more bias confirmation reading I'll admit.
I tend to find myself agreeing with the economist more, which is why I make sure I read the spectator.
Both are great examples of quality journalism, but one of them is a bit more bias confirmation reading I'll admit.
Derek Smith said:
I used to go to my library and read both of them, Spec and Eco, while my wife was shopping. I didn't go from cover to cover but read what took my interest. Always a good read for both.
Now, however, rather than remove them from the shelf in the reference section, I have to queue for them at the desk as, it seems, people steal them. Is that a point in their favour, or is the fact that thieves read them a point against?
It may also be that the library service is under some financial pressure and trying to capture as many issues as it can - it's more or less impossible to record any issues against magazines left out for casual reading. Now, however, rather than remove them from the shelf in the reference section, I have to queue for them at the desk as, it seems, people steal them. Is that a point in their favour, or is the fact that thieves read them a point against?
Both East and West Sussex Libraries - I think that's your neck of the woods? - have the Zinio eMagazines service, so you can borrow and read online if you prefer.
I've now been through last Sunday's copy of the Sunday Times , heck there's a lot of it !
Some very good reading on a wide range of subjects , excellent value for money to boot. Leaves me in a quandary , I'm inclined to leave instruction with the newsagent for a copy every Sunday but with Spring and summer coming, I'm sceptical I'll have the time to read it. I think I'll chance it and pick up a copy when one is spare now and then.
Still not made a decision over a weekly magazine to sub to, I cannot seem to find a copy of The Week. I don't have a large newsagent locally , so perhaps have a word with the corner shop, see if he can get me a one off copy.
Before anyone mentions the fact that they will send a free copy gratis, they want your phone number, and call to arrange such, meaning even more spam calls. My landline is bombarded with dubious calls, part the reason I have an answerphone permanently attached. Incidentally, if anyone is repeatedly getting calls from 001615476231 its a reverse charge scam out from Tennessee , answer the call and get a huge bill!
Some very good reading on a wide range of subjects , excellent value for money to boot. Leaves me in a quandary , I'm inclined to leave instruction with the newsagent for a copy every Sunday but with Spring and summer coming, I'm sceptical I'll have the time to read it. I think I'll chance it and pick up a copy when one is spare now and then.
Still not made a decision over a weekly magazine to sub to, I cannot seem to find a copy of The Week. I don't have a large newsagent locally , so perhaps have a word with the corner shop, see if he can get me a one off copy.
Before anyone mentions the fact that they will send a free copy gratis, they want your phone number, and call to arrange such, meaning even more spam calls. My landline is bombarded with dubious calls, part the reason I have an answerphone permanently attached. Incidentally, if anyone is repeatedly getting calls from 001615476231 its a reverse charge scam out from Tennessee , answer the call and get a huge bill!
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