Rolling Stone's Jann Wenner on Print vs. Web

In a recent Advertising Age interview, Rolling Stone poobah Jann Wenner (shown in photo) discussed the virtues of print publications versus the downside of web-based publishing. (I found a link to the article in today's LA Times.) He makes some interesting points that merit consideration. I'm not in full agreement with his outlook: for example, he underestimates the public's lust for new gadgetry. He does, however, have his finger on the pulse of the print world's zeitgeist, notably when he cites "jittery" magazine publishers for whom the Internet is one long horror movie.

Ironically, blogs such as mine are excellent venues to contemplate and argue points raised in places such as Wenner's magazines. One can't do that in print. However, I've never, ever seen anyone at my local YMCA use a dedicated reader such as a Kindle while they're exercising. Magazines still rule the roost in the sweat boxes where the gym-fit set do some of their most profound thinking.