Are We Really That Techie?
There I was, picking up flank steak and wine at Whole Foods in Clarendon, when I was struck by something absolutely bizarre. I’m used to seeing Tabloids and Fitness Mags. I’m even not surprised to see Rachael Ray’s new magazine in the stand.
But Wired?
At the checkout? Really?
Now, don’t get me wrong, I love Wired, I think it’s great, but I’m astounded to see it at the checkout stand, I always thought it was a bookstore or newsstand kind of magazine.
I could see this happening in San Francisco. I could see this happening in Seattle. But DC? Really?
There are some thoughts here:
- Is this a Tech-Becoming-Mainstream issue?
- Or perhaps a Women Enjoy Technology, too, issue?
- Maybe they got the wrong shipment and just decided to roll with it…
I dunno, but I’m not sure I’m willing to accept that my complete geekdom is normal.
I think it’s more an indicator of the target demographic of the store you were shopping in, rather than a city thing. I doubt you’d ever see that (or Utne magazine, for that matter) at the checkout of a Giant or a Safeway.
Could very well be. I was just shocked that it would even happen :)
Wired has arrived.
It’s sad though. I have the Rachel Ray magazine but not the Wired one. I never renewed my subscription.
naah, it’s not a reflection of local culture. Those are premium spots for magazines, and are super-expensive for distribution managers to get. It just shows that Wired is tossing a ton of bucks at a gamble that better placement will sell more copy. It could also mean that Wired’s retail sell-through is dropping and this is a desperate move to pick up sales.
The pring magazine biz is suffering everywhere, so you’re bound to see some pretty strange titles at checkout these days. “Telephone Repair-Man’s Quarterly”, anyone?
Looking at that picture, for some reason what strikes me is not that Wired is at the checkout, but how amatuerish the Rachel Ray cover looks.