Chick Lit

I spend a lot of time reading consumer magazines for my job. Every month I read everything from Glamour to Esquire to Ladies Home Journal to Wired Magazine looking for ideas on how to get my clients coverage in these publications. It's given me time to form some strong ideas about how the media influences how we see ourselves and I've come to a conclusion:

Womens magazines are for morons.  

Now, don't take that to mean I don't love me some moronic reading from time to time - usually I am on an airplane with hours to fill - but geezuz! You know that Pink song where she asks, "What happened to the dream of a woman president?"" - I can tell you right now, she's not reading Cosmo or Vogue or even Oprah Magazine. It's all relationships, fashion, how not to look fat, organizing tips and 7th grade reading level profile puff pieces on 'strong' women.

I mean sure, sometimes there is some practical 'advice' like: "how to save money on makeup" and "stand taller to look thinner." Hey, occasionally they even get serious and offer career advice like, "if you're coworker is being mean, here's how to stand up to her."

It's ridiculous.

I've found my truly favorite magazines (besides the ones about food) are the "men's" or general news focused magazines. Give me a copy of Esquire or Wired any day of the week. I finished the May issue of Esquire, an issue called "Women" and am reminded once again about the differences that good writing, a point of view beyond that of female with a 7th grade reading level and an interesting story can bring. From Hillary to Lady Gaga to a quick letter to men from Christina Hendricks - these chicks rock.

What happened to the dream of girl president?

I think it's alive and well but I'm pretty sure she's not reading Cosmo.