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Ask HN: Alternatives to The Economist?

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Re: Ask HN: Alternatives to The Economist?

#211

Post by wpietri »

crazygringo wrote: post #162

I see this claim in nearly every HN thread about the Economist -- that it's declined in quality. And it baffles me because, having read it for 20+ years and gone back for research to read plenty of articles from further back... I just don't see it at all. It's the same market-based, socially progressive, pragmatic international strongly opinionated journalism it's always been. Sometimes I think the way it characteriz…

As somebody who has been reading it even longer, I disagree.

We live in an age of increasing polarization. Asymmetric polarization, I should add; look at how the US House has changed since 1980 or so: https://xkcd.com/1127/large/

The Economist has long been attempting to straddle common political divides even as those divides grow larger. This has been causing fragmentation everywhere. Look, for example, at the Libertarian party in America, which is falling apart right now [1] as they drop antisemitic memes [2] and say it's fine.

All of this is happening at the same time they've shifted from a weekly cadence to continuous publishing, meaning less time to ponder, with a significant expansion in volume of content.

I think they're doing a decent job of keeping it together, but the cracks are showing. E.g., their "by invitation" pieces are by nature platforming people and avoiding most of their editorial standards. They are surely cheap to produce and good clickbait, but I think it's a mistake. I also see right-wing framings creeping into pieces more often than before.

Admittedly, it's a hard problem. When the leader of the Republican party is supping with bigots [3], there's no longer a clear line between mainstream views and the awful fringe. So I'm still subscribing and I hope they work it out. But I also wouldn't mind finding some alternatives these days so that if things get worse, I have options.

[1] https://www.thedailybeast.com/libertarian-party-is-fighting-...

[2] https://boingboing.net/2022/11/15/libertarian-party-embraces...

[3] https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=trump+k...

Re: Ask HN: Alternatives to The Economist?

#212

Post by jhbadger »

youngtaff wrote: post #96
corbet wrote: post #31

I bailed on the Economist a couple of years ago after at least a couple decades...thought I was the only one who felt it had declined. I haven't really found a good replacement still. If nothing else, the pain they put me through to end the subscription was enough to prevent me from ever signing up again.

If you’re in the UK, your local library may have access to the Economist as an online magazine My county’s libraries use Libby, and I get to read The Economist and many other magazine ‘for free’ (reality is my council and other taxes pay for it but you get my drift)

This is also true in the US, where Libby is common too. I read the Economist, the New Yorker, and the New York Review of Books for free that way -- the Washington DC public library system (which even people living in the DC suburbs can get a library card to) subscribes, for example.

Re: Ask HN: Alternatives to The Economist?

#213

Post by janandonly »

I guess as a Dutch speaker, I am somewhat “spoiled” by the existence of 360 Magazine [1].

They don't write their articles, but translate into Dutch news articles from all over the world. It really makes for high-quality reading.

  [1] https://www.360magazine.nl

Re: Ask HN: Alternatives to The Economist?

#214

Post by HDThoreaun »

scythe wrote: post #179
crazygringo wrote: post #162

I see this claim in nearly every HN thread about the Economist -- that it's declined in quality. And it baffles me because, having read it for 20+ years and gone back for research to read plenty of articles from further back... I just don't see it at all. It's the same market-based, socially progressive, pragmatic international strongly opinionated journalism it's always been. Sometimes I think the way it characteriz…

One thing I noticed about The Economist is that every so often they'll bring up some interesting criticism of a widely held view. Then a few days later they'll publish an article vigorously supporting the Current Thing. A particularly obvious example was when they had a column about Ukraine from John Mearshimer, and the various follow-ups. They also ran that takedown of Mohammed bin Salman but periodically tout the u…

Publishing opposing viewpoints is incredibly common. Getting opinions that go against the editors is the whole point of op-eds

Re: Ask HN: Alternatives to The Economist?

#215

Post by waltbosz »

disposition2 wrote: post #205

Just a PSA for anyone in the US, typically your public library will have access to digital products like Libby or Flipster. These products typically include access magazines (such as the Economist), newspapers and websites for free. As to OPs question, I typically try to use an array of sources for news and try to support publications that I cannot access freely / through other means or feel strongly about supporting…

Also, your public library may have videos games.

Sadly, my library system's collection of Switch games is missing the Kibry franchise. But it does have Smash Bros which has been a lot of fun.

Also, if you live near the border of a state with a better library system than yours, check if you can get a non-resident library card (you may have to pay).

Also, if you have young children, check out https://imaginationlibrary.com/ from Dolly Parton. It's a free program that will mail your child a free book every month up until their 5th birthday.

Re: Ask HN: Alternatives to The Economist?

#216

Post by MrBuddyCasino »

2OEH8eoCRo0 wrote: post #133
MrBuddyCasino wrote: post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree the individual pieces are less polished and tend more towards alarmism or outrage. I still find it overall better, because logical inconsistencies and wrong facts will get called out viciously and without mercy. The result is a more correct worldview, but one needs to keep some distance, otherwise it can get unhealthy. Its the difference between a university debate club and an MMA cage. The MMA filter is much…

> logical inconsistencies and wrong facts will get called out viciously and without mercy Even here, inaccuracies are promoted as fact regularly. I don't count on the social media herd as a compass. Other than this site I avoid news that comes with a comment section because internet anons have their own biases and agendas and aren't representative. You end up with nuance swept aside and extreme unflinching loudmouths…

The print media is getting increasingly biased as well though! The NYT used to be the „paper of record“, not anymore.

Re: Ask HN: Alternatives to The Economist?

#217

Post by chrchang523 »

pdntspa wrote: post #203
slowhand09 wrote: post #191

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think its perspective. Drawing a parallel to Elon Musk. He says his political leanings haven't changed. Draw a line marked Far Left, Left, Sort of Left, Middle, Sort of Right, Right, Far Right. He says he was Left or Sort of Left, but somebody dragged the line way to the left. He is where he always was, but the line has moved.

I don't know, has he always been a cheerleader for Trump? There are some things he is doing now that I don't remember him doing before that suggest his political stance has changed.

He believes that Trump should have the same broadcast rights that other political figures do, but he prefers DeSantis to Trump: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/elon-musk-ron...

Re: Ask HN: Alternatives to The Economist?

#218

Post by tekla »

wpietri wrote: post #211
crazygringo wrote: post #162

I see this claim in nearly every HN thread about the Economist -- that it's declined in quality. And it baffles me because, having read it for 20+ years and gone back for research to read plenty of articles from further back... I just don't see it at all. It's the same market-based, socially progressive, pragmatic international strongly opinionated journalism it's always been. Sometimes I think the way it characteriz…

As somebody who has been reading it even longer, I disagree. We live in an age of increasing polarization. Asymmetric polarization, I should add; look at how the US House has changed since 1980 or so: https://xkcd.com/1127/large/ The Economist has long been attempting to straddle common political divides even as those divides grow larger. This has been causing fragmentation everywhere. Look, for example, at the Liber…

> heir "by invitation" pieces are by nature platforming people and avoiding most of their editorial standards.

> I also see right-wing framings creeping into pieces more often than before.

There we go, you think its worse because it doesn't 100% cater to your views.

Re: Ask HN: Alternatives to The Economist?

#220

Post by flycaliguy »

mechanical_bear wrote: post #206
crazygringo wrote: post #162

I see this claim in nearly every HN thread about the Economist -- that it's declined in quality. And it baffles me because, having read it for 20+ years and gone back for research to read plenty of articles from further back... I just don't see it at all. It's the same market-based, socially progressive, pragmatic international strongly opinionated journalism it's always been. Sometimes I think the way it characteriz…

I tend to agree with OP. Quality declined, I cancelled my subscription.

The exercise that was cancelling, including being hung up on twice during the process, is why I’d never go back.
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