Rotten news! And you are so right about humor. My husband, Chuck, has a mandate: If the day comes when I lose my sense of humor, he’s to tell me to name my poison. Keep drawing, Liza! ✍️
Wow! As an activist historan whose daughter is a n unionorganizer I will offer a typical comment: organize and publicize. Unions are complex and can be frustrating and hard to deal with but they are vital in this hyper-capitalist economy we have. And--let us know if we the loyal readers can help. We need a New Yorker we can truly support.
The New Yorker has unionized, but did not include cartoonists in their activities because we are freelance. We have no leverage. There is no other legacy publication that uses cartoons like The New Yorker.
Based on the news, Conde Nast needs to reduce expenses. Whether the New Yorker is profitable or a money loser, either way cuts are needed. That is not good - but I think the cartoons are safe. Borowitz is a great humor writer. I assume he will be ok. So bad news but media are all in trouble now.
Speaking as a former loyal New Yorker subscriber, I stopped reading it because I didn't (still don't) have time any more to read all those words. Left behind the Atlantic and the Sunday NY Times for the same reason. I still own a software company that's doing OK, and co-founded 2 related anti-racism non-profits. All 3 corporations require a lot of time, and I need much more education on People of Color, historical and current (I'm currently reading a 400, not counting end notes, -page biography of Cochise, a legit Southwestern hero about whom I knew nothing except his name and his occupation (Apache warrior). I'm also creating a bibliography on oppressed people, mostly U.S. I have almost 900 items in it so far (after about about 6 months), and aim for 2500 by the end of next year. I also need and love to hang out with my wife and a small number of other people. When could I read the New Yorker or any other serious magazine?
I could definitely find time to read a monthly magazine entirely filled with cartoons of your quality, Liza, and that of most of your colleagues at the NYer, and some others elsewhere in the press. It would be very welcome to me and I would read it cover to cover or, if I was reading during dessert, cobbler to cobbler. Don't know how hard it would be to start up something like that.
It is a lot to read, I agree. There is a lot out there to read, and I try to read novels, and then listen to non-fiction when I exercise. There is a publication called American Bystander that is all cartoons, haven't seen it in a while. They pay their contributors next to nothing.
Oh dear! I love Andy Borowitz. Yes, in these dark times, it is humor that keeps me going and keeps me optimistic that we can get through this time soon.
I think most people are finding the competition for their available dollars is getting stiffer. Somebody wrote "I can't afford to have friends any more, they all have Substacks or Patreons or GoFundMes and everybody thinks I should be supporting them." The more interesting your friends, the more likely they are to be producing work that a friend would buy if a friend could afford to buy it. This world is already getting more expensive, and what tugs at our heartstrings these days also tugs at our wallet.
I just heard a "Dear Prudence" podcast this morning ON THIS VERY SUBJECT, a writer feeling hurt that her friend did not read the book she wrote. The discussion was lengthy and the advice-givers agreed that nobody has the right to expect any of their friends to read their books, buy their books, or patronize/consume anything else their friends are doing. That's not a necessary component of friendship.
And for any official New Yorker eyes on this: wow colossally stupid move not keeping the gem that is Andy Borowitz. He’s one of the main reasons - with the brilliant cartoons - that I subscribe.
Downer. I fear that magazines as we knew them are doomed. Some percentage of circulation was based on their role as identity badges (“I’m the kind of person who reads Foreign Policy, as you can see by a glance at my coffee table.”) That doesn’t convert to digital.
I wouldn't want to subscribe to something that doesn't pay, or barely pays, its contributors. I guess there are a lot of people willing to contribute just for the exposure, or for the rush of being accepted for publication. But art is work, and ought to be be paid. Same with writing, which is Linda's thing. She deserves to be paid, too. The kids who make short videos for Tik-Tok and become "influencers" seem to have figured out how to beat the system.
Rotten news! And you are so right about humor. My husband, Chuck, has a mandate: If the day comes when I lose my sense of humor, he’s to tell me to name my poison. Keep drawing, Liza! ✍️
excellent mandate! Sad news. Thanks, Linda!
Indeed this is sad and troublesome news. I think people are reading less long non-fiction pieces as well as less ss.
Long ago I had a Professor at Hofstra, Rhoda Nathan, who described the excitement people felt when they heard that a new Salinger story was out.
I felt that way about Updike.
We need to keep subscribing to the print editions of great magazines- and give as gifts.
Agreed!
Sorry to hear about Andy. Now you have no choice but to stick around.
Thank you. Well, I always plan to stick around, but sometimes the powers that be don't feel the same....like with Andy!
Wow! As an activist historan whose daughter is a n unionorganizer I will offer a typical comment: organize and publicize. Unions are complex and can be frustrating and hard to deal with but they are vital in this hyper-capitalist economy we have. And--let us know if we the loyal readers can help. We need a New Yorker we can truly support.
The New Yorker has unionized, but did not include cartoonists in their activities because we are freelance. We have no leverage. There is no other legacy publication that uses cartoons like The New Yorker.
Omigosh Liza, that is horrible news!
Please tell Andy to start a Substack... I suspect a LOT of us would pay to subscribe to him.
I lived for my dose of Borowitz!
He, and you, and every stand up comedian I stream are the reason I'm still alive
Seriously, we need Andy right here, right now, on Substack!
agreed!!
Laughter is so important on so many levels.
And smiles are good too. Thanks Liza
Based on the news, Conde Nast needs to reduce expenses. Whether the New Yorker is profitable or a money loser, either way cuts are needed. That is not good - but I think the cartoons are safe. Borowitz is a great humor writer. I assume he will be ok. So bad news but media are all in trouble now.
Speaking as a former loyal New Yorker subscriber, I stopped reading it because I didn't (still don't) have time any more to read all those words. Left behind the Atlantic and the Sunday NY Times for the same reason. I still own a software company that's doing OK, and co-founded 2 related anti-racism non-profits. All 3 corporations require a lot of time, and I need much more education on People of Color, historical and current (I'm currently reading a 400, not counting end notes, -page biography of Cochise, a legit Southwestern hero about whom I knew nothing except his name and his occupation (Apache warrior). I'm also creating a bibliography on oppressed people, mostly U.S. I have almost 900 items in it so far (after about about 6 months), and aim for 2500 by the end of next year. I also need and love to hang out with my wife and a small number of other people. When could I read the New Yorker or any other serious magazine?
I could definitely find time to read a monthly magazine entirely filled with cartoons of your quality, Liza, and that of most of your colleagues at the NYer, and some others elsewhere in the press. It would be very welcome to me and I would read it cover to cover or, if I was reading during dessert, cobbler to cobbler. Don't know how hard it would be to start up something like that.
It is a lot to read, I agree. There is a lot out there to read, and I try to read novels, and then listen to non-fiction when I exercise. There is a publication called American Bystander that is all cartoons, haven't seen it in a while. They pay their contributors next to nothing.
Don't worry. The New Yorker won't fold. It will be bought by hedge-fund assholes who will ruin it. Doesn't that make you feel better?
ugh
Love Andy. He's a rock and whoever made that decision is an idiot.
They know he'll be okay without them.
Oh dear! I love Andy Borowitz. Yes, in these dark times, it is humor that keeps me going and keeps me optimistic that we can get through this time soon.
I think most people are finding the competition for their available dollars is getting stiffer. Somebody wrote "I can't afford to have friends any more, they all have Substacks or Patreons or GoFundMes and everybody thinks I should be supporting them." The more interesting your friends, the more likely they are to be producing work that a friend would buy if a friend could afford to buy it. This world is already getting more expensive, and what tugs at our heartstrings these days also tugs at our wallet.
I don't expect any of my friends to subscribe!
I just heard a "Dear Prudence" podcast this morning ON THIS VERY SUBJECT, a writer feeling hurt that her friend did not read the book she wrote. The discussion was lengthy and the advice-givers agreed that nobody has the right to expect any of their friends to read their books, buy their books, or patronize/consume anything else their friends are doing. That's not a necessary component of friendship.
With you Liza.
And for any official New Yorker eyes on this: wow colossally stupid move not keeping the gem that is Andy Borowitz. He’s one of the main reasons - with the brilliant cartoons - that I subscribe.
Yes! A Substack !!!
Downer. I fear that magazines as we knew them are doomed. Some percentage of circulation was based on their role as identity badges (“I’m the kind of person who reads Foreign Policy, as you can see by a glance at my coffee table.”) That doesn’t convert to digital.
I wouldn't want to subscribe to something that doesn't pay, or barely pays, its contributors. I guess there are a lot of people willing to contribute just for the exposure, or for the rush of being accepted for publication. But art is work, and ought to be be paid. Same with writing, which is Linda's thing. She deserves to be paid, too. The kids who make short videos for Tik-Tok and become "influencers" seem to have figured out how to beat the system.