Tags: editorial | letters | Think Magazine

Readers write!

Worthy reading

Thank you for Alex Zaitchik's article "Why Gore Must Lick Bush" in the last issue of THINK. As an unabashed Bush family hater, but a longtime admirer of Sam Smith's Progressive Review, I'm finding myself liking Think more and more these days. There's less raver doofism and more common sense.

- Rick McCullon, from Mesquite, Texas

Dear Think

I just wanted to drop you a line to say how much I value your endeavours to encompass so many different views in your excellent publication. In particular, the recent juxtaposition of the fairly patronising article re. animal consciousness (or some other such wank) - and the amazing longevity of Mike the Headless Chicken. Enough said I think. Keep up the good work!

- yours, J Hallpike

Wankers Away

Regarding the review of the Violent Femmes Freak Magnet, ["Think," #32]: I realize that this is the oh-so-"artistic" Think Magazine, and we readers should expect a fair amount of self-indulgence in your reviews. But make like a bowling ball and spare us the sort of tripe that tried to pass for a review of Violent Femmes latest album.

I regret to inform your unnamed reviewer that the purpose of a review is to discuss the relative merits of works, not to revel in Christian bashing. Material notwithstanding, I entreat Think reviewers to keep to the subject at hand (as it were) and save the verbal wankery for their unpublished novels.

- Jennifer Way

Tell Me Daddy,

Do cigarette ads constitute a threat to world health? Are pictures of happy, healthy people and cute cartoon characters in tobacco ads misleading about the dangers of smoking? Of course they do! In my opinion, all advertising is false advertising. And as I notice a growing trend toward targeting children with cigarette ads in youth magazines and with smoking rave parties, I am puzzled over how to explain the complicated process of media deception to my six-year-old son. I decided to simply tell him that all commercials are lies.

Now whenever he sees a commercial making claims, he says, "That's a lie, isn't it, daddy?" I respond, "Of course it's a lie. It's a commercial. "

- Mike Hawkins

Think Replies:

Well Mike, you might be surprised that much of what you read in mainstream media these days could be called a lie as well. But it's good you're teaching junior to be a cynic, I mean, for all we know, the schedule listing in the Radost ad could be a complete fabrication... or perhaps every 11th video isn't free at Videos@Jama... it's best to keep diligent on these issues. And if looking at pictures of a desert plateau makes your child want a cigarette, I pretty much think that's his weakness, not societies or the advertising industry... now if I could only find a nice sunset picture to help me sell more ads.