have always been amused at Playboy’s leftist political slant. I read it in college during the mid 80′s and the Mag was very anti-Reagan. I feel that is mostly due to Ed Meese and the war on porn, and, on that point I will see their side. As a free market entity that espoused a certain lifestyle (sexual freedom and variety) I can see them being against limitations on that lifestyle.
But what amazed me was how by doing that, they fell in political lock step with the people that would censor, control, regulate and destroy the rest of that image and other aspects of the Playboy lifestyle.
Fine Cigars? Naaah, smoking is evil.
Fine liquor and wine? Naaaaah, don’t want to tick of the MADD Mothers and the other anti-alcohol Fascists.
Fast Cars? The President they worship wants us all to drive little carbon safe boxes that go 35 MPH
Marbled Steaks and fine food? Nope! Gotta eat all that tofu, gotta start regulating what Americans eat so they don’t over-tax the coming socialized health care system
And in general, I think Playboy has long been past its prime, and not just because of the ready availability of naked women on the net and cable TV.
Hef’s magazine originally was aimed at a 20-30 something single male professional, a guy that wore a tie to work and out for the evening. A guy that hustled to earn money for a good stereo system, a fine apartment, a classy ride and who also was able to talk about art and literature in his attempts to be nubile young women.
About two years ago, I took a flier and got a sixteen issue subscription for about a buck an issue. Sadly, that is what it was worth.
It has been dumbed down to the lowest common denominator like everything else in today’s society. The movie reviews are now bullet points, the interviews feature MTV/American Idol types rather than the Kissingers and Norman Mailers of days gone by, and the articles are aimed at the arrested adolescent frat boy in his mid 20s living in an apartment with his buds, playing X box all night, and meeting chicks by playing World of War craft. (There was actually an article about how the Hulk has been portrayed in various comic books. No kidding!)
As for the women? Yeah, when I can click a mouse and see the naked female form, the monthly nudes just don’t hold the same allure. And, as others have pointed out, it’s all silicone and shaved bare “down there.” Boring.
Playboy is a dinosaur, just like its pathetic Viagra-propped up, at death’s door founder.
