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Post by charleselan on Jan 15, 2018 19:57:40 GMT
I have a feeling some here will empathise with these three guys:-
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Post by Jamie on Jan 15, 2018 20:32:20 GMT
Hi John,
I agree with these guys....to a point. I'm probably in the minority in that I do still enjoy MS but like one of the posters I don't care for the infernal expensive watch adverts and I've told them so on more than one occasion, nor do I like the road car tests - zero interest in that whatsoever, other magazines cater to the road car market and do it much better.
I do think that MS should cover modern Grand Prix racing as its part of its DNA and I didn't like it when they dropped modern F1 altogether a few years ago. It shouldn't try and cover all the modern stuff though I think, its not Autosport.....its raison d'etre is telling the tales from the past whilst informing on the current GP scene as well.
Just my two penn'orth.
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Post by Carl on Jan 15, 2018 22:03:48 GMT
John Charles,
Motor Sport magazine has responded clumsily to its financial distress with pages of expensive watches and by incorporating sponsors into its articles without disclosure (GSD RaceDyn for example). In politics and business this is called pay to play.
They needed younger readers but ignored the advice I gave to Gordon Cruickshank to transform William Boddy by inserting beautiful women into the passenger seats of his road test cars. I loved his authoritative writing style on all subjects. The editors seem to have jettisoned both WB and DSJ and adopted a precarious balancing act between older and younger readers... and eager advertisers.
As Rene can attest, I learned recently to be cautious about agreeing with Leone. If he thinks you're a kindred spirit, he'll want to compare goosestep technique. Having wounded soldiers as guests for an exciting afternoon is extremely laudable, but to say it defines "the essence of the sport" is hyperbolic silliness.
Sadly, nothing stays the same and the day will come when the best days of racing are forgotten.
Cheers, Carl
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Post by charleselan on Jan 15, 2018 23:17:02 GMT
Jamie & Carl, My only reason for adding this "extract" was as a result of two things:- (1) I understand from a number of our members that they are seriously considering their subscription renewal, due to disaffection with the current editorial content. (2) Having just given a quick look at MS to see what they had done with regard to Dan's sad passing I came upon the three attached comments and I felt it might just resonate. I am not in any way thinking like them myself as I cut my own furrow in life, I just found it interesting that some others were not enamoured with the way things were going. I have no problem with MS running contemporary F1, for it is the biggest draw in motor sport no matter what we think; and Mark Hughes does write quite well about it these days. The advertisements are a big turn off, and from my perspective can only appeal to a very small portion of the readership, so see little point in those companies using the magazine as a promotional subject, unless they just wish to show off! having features "sponsored" is bordering on the dishonest, especially if it is not specifically mentioned, which it appears not to be. With regard to engagement on the MS site, I find it was best to only enter into discussion with those that one was familiar with, and those that had a sensible comment log."Goose Stepping" is a worrying topic of discussion Carl  . JC |
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Post by Carl on Jan 15, 2018 23:42:52 GMT
I agree. My reaction was strident because I had recently suggested Leone as a potential member to Rene after reading a well-reasoned comment he posted on MotorSport. I had forgotten about his political obsession. I have once or twice injected politics into this website myself and, upon reflection, realized that being apolitical is the best way to proceed. I meant only to ridicule Leone.
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Post by charleselan on Jan 15, 2018 23:51:05 GMT
I agree. It was I who last week mentioned Leone as a potential member to Rene, having read one of his well-reasoned posts on MS and having forgotten about his politics. I was referring only to Leone and regret any offense. Goodness me, no offence taken, I was just concerned about you getting into a discussion that regarded such a topic. Sadly in life Carl, some people just let themselves down in political terms. |
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Post by Carl on Jan 15, 2018 23:58:21 GMT
I agree. It was I who last week mentioned Leone as a potential member to Rene, having read one of his well-reasoned posts on MS and having forgotten about his politics. I was referring only to Leone and regret any offense. Goodness me, no offence taken, I was just concerned about you getting into a discussion that regarded such a topic. Sadly in life Carl, some people just let themselves down in political terms. Good to hear. We Americans were at a comfortable distance from the direct suffering and at times can seem insensitive. I just posted an edited response of my earlier post that more fully reflects my views. Kind regards, Carl |
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Post by robmarsh on Jan 16, 2018 10:12:56 GMT
My MS subscription is due to expire in April I think. I am still awaiting my "present" for re-subscribing last year. Sadly I will not be renewing my subscription this time. Thus breaks an almost unbroken run since November 1970. I did break it during the red covers fiasco. the The last few editions have left me rather cold-in fact I have not even finished the last one. Long gone are the days when I read it cover to cover within 24 hours. I find the latest columns rather shallow and superficial, rather like reading a travel magazine or TV guide-not what I am looking for. I get far more satisfaction reading the comments on this forum. I subscribed last year because of Mark hughes after race reports but the comments attached to these have reduced my desire there as well.
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Post by chrisb on Jan 16, 2018 20:03:25 GMT
Sadly Rob I am in total agreement, I have consigned my MS to the attic already, under the stewardship of Damien it would probably stay downstairs for the month but now it is within 10 to 14 days consigned to history, I expressed my views when Nigel and Damien departed, I do like Nigel R but his writing was getting tired and it felt 'posted in' and i struggled towards the end,
I wrote to MS a few months ago - basically telling them that it was no longer impressive and needless to say no reply was forthcoming, I mentioned the forums, which I barely read now let alone join in, the vitriol and pathetic attitude of a few just wasn't worth the effort and how it was managed just said it all to me,
I had a system of reading my MS, quick read - then slower then very slow- now, not quite the case, I miss my MS -I am not a great fan of Mark but am extremely respectful of his knowledge and how he breaks things down, the detail he focuses on would have impressed Jenks, but he is not my style, I do like the older writers and their styles but it always feels like they are trying to cram too much in and meet anyone's tastes and not meeting anyone's. Actually what I do think when I think back to Bill and Jenks - is that they were just so confidant in their abilities and their magazine it was a 'strange way to say but almost an arrogance or the Rolls Royce of motor racing magazines, which Nick et al have,
Like yourself Rob i thought the red editions were awful but persevered, I am not so sure I can or will again
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Post by Jamie on Jan 16, 2018 20:45:19 GMT
I'll continue my subscription as I still find items of interest, but I do hope it improves a bit as a few things aren't to my taste (watch adverts, road car reports, auction prices of cars to name a few).......Damien leaving was a big loss and it's lost its way a bit since then.
I understand that Damien has left the field altogether and is now a teacher....
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Post by Carl on Jan 16, 2018 21:23:38 GMT
I'll continue my subscription as I still find items of interest, but I do hope it improves a bit as a few things aren't to my taste (watch adverts, road car reports, auction prices of cars to name a few).......Damien leaving was a big loss and it's lost its way a bit since then. I understand that Damien has left the field altogether and is now a teacher.... I recently renewed out of hopefully not misplaced loyalty and I also will keep reading and hoping for improvement in some of the latest changes, which are just shots in the dark. The editors need to decide which road they want to follow... |
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Post by chrisb on Jan 17, 2018 5:28:01 GMT
Jamie I did think Damien was writing for Autosport, and that is a shame - i thought he did a good job at MS - for me he did a good balance
Carl, I too have renewed and hope as you do my friend for some improvements,
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