Reader Response #5 (Lurid Numbers on Glossy Pages!)

This was by far my favorite essay to read in the Field Guide book. I loved reading about how magazine covers advertise. Who knew numbers played such a big role in advertising, and intrigued people. Katharine Q. Sellye does an excellent job explaining why magazines put numbers on the cover of magazines. I also liked the fact that she worked for the New York Times, so be was a part of knowing how the business works.  As a magazine reader I never knew I was being driven to read magazines because of numbers, but now that I think back I did flip to articles say get the best beach body with these five moves. Not to mention the one hundred and one hottest guys of 2012. All this time I thought who was on the cover draws everybody to the cover, and the writing made no difference. This almost makes me feel as if I was tricked into reading magazines. Now that I know the truth about numbers it makes me wonder if the information is accurate. If using less numbers for exercise attracts more people, is it still an accurate exercise tool. I do remember opening magazines because I wanted to see the top ten, and being highly disappointed. This essay I read just makes me feel like magazines are full of lies. I feel as if it just a gimmick to get our well earned money. From now on I won’t let the numbers and who’s on the magazine cover full me. I might just look inside before I buy next time!