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Sunday, January 15, 2006
New Territory Indeed
Posted
By Cathy Resmer
on Sun, Jan 15, 2006 at 7:00 PM
When I was a kid, I used to read the USA WEEKEND magazine each week. It came with the Sunday paper — in my case the Detroit News. It seemed fluffy in the late 80s and early 90s, but I think it's really taken a turn for the worse in recent years. I get it now with my Sunday Burlington Free Press, but I almost always recycle it, unread, along with the ridiculous pile of glossy ad fliers. This week, I dug it out for a look.
What did I find? On a page with the word "Science," in bold type in the upper left hand corner, an article entitled "Newly Charted Territory." The subhead reads: "With the discovery of a new 'planet' in our solar system, some people may wonder: Will this affect my horoscope?"
No, this is not an ad. It's actual editorial copy! From the nut graph: "Astrologers, the practitioners behind your trusted weekly horoscopes in the newspaper, are abuzz about how this new heavenly body could affect their craft. Would the addition of a new planet debunk traditional horoscopes and predictions? Could you think you're a Scorpio today, then learn tomorrow that Xena [the new planet] ruled your chart all along? Some of astrology's brightest minds weigh in on these questions and more for USA WEEKEND, and their answers may surprise you."
I pity the poor hack who had to write this and pass it off as "Science." Shame, shame, shame!
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About The Author
Cathy Resmer
Bio:
Deputy publisher Cathy Resmer is an organizer of the Vermont Tech Jam. She also oversees Seven Days' parenting publication, Kids VT, and created the Good Citizen Challenge, a youth civics initiative. Resmer began her career at Seven Days as a freelance writer in 2001. Hired as a staff writer in 2005, she became the publication's first online editor in 2007.
Deputy publisher Cathy Resmer is an organizer of the Vermont Tech Jam. She also oversees Seven Days' parenting publication, Kids VT, and created the Good Citizen Challenge, a youth civics initiative. Resmer began her career at Seven Days as a freelance writer in 2001. Hired as a staff writer in 2005, she became the publication's first online editor in 2007.
