[CQ-Contest] what else is lost

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

Charly, why are you so quick todismiss the idea of a web-based, 
advertiser-supported magazine?  It requires more than QST's images of 
the paper magazine, but as someone suggested a few weeks ago, there 
*are* successful hobby magazines on the web.  Of course, some people 
will always seek out "echo chambers" that reinforce their own views, but 
quality still has a chance.

73, Pete N4ZR
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On 2/1/2014 10:02 AM, Charles Harpole wrote:
> I am happy, like everyone, to see that CQ style contests may continue.
> Congrats to the heavy hitters listed on the web site.
>
> BUT, more is lost with the demise of CQ Magazine than contesting:
> -alternative voice and view to QST....   just like the TWO newspapers in
> cities of old, ham radio benefits from multiple voices... none of which
> need be distinctively contending but plurality of ideas, contra web site
> censorship, is good for the health of the hobby.
>
> -cohesion and shared experiences and purposes... A group holds together via
> shared experiences (the way squads of soldiers are trained) and shared
> solving of troubles.  A real tangible magazine can help lots.  A real
> magazine is under pressure to offer good, useful, entertaining and
> promotional articles;  its goal is to include ideas, not exclude, and sell
> to a broad readership.  That is not so true of narrow-topic and closely
> censored web sites which live by servicing only those IN the IN group.  A
> system that avoids lively debate and diversity will die.
>
> I feel so sorry for those writing here who don't see the value of
> continuing these services and simply wish to discard anything the market is
> too weak to fully support.  I see no other substitute that will come onto
> the Web;  instead there will be even more insular sites, happily
> reinforcing each others' opinions while condemning and excluding any
> reasoned alternatives.
>
> A civilized society subsidizes the arts, for example, for good reasons.  I
> see only good resulting from a subsidized CQ Magazine to help keep vibrant
> life in this aging hobby.
> 73,