Popular Mechanics?? I Expected Better

has anyone tried emailing the magazine and/or the author?  if not, maybe I'll try to reach out to see what they say.  who knows, maybe they'll want to interview the forum..

I think it's ludicrous that he went from $8-10 razors up to $400..nothing in between there from the vintage side of things that can really give good shaves.

I was thinking of the same thing. That someone should reach out and say something like:
1) “Your article lead to some discussion on our forum, take a look at this thread: [link].”
2) “Also, we have this thing called Shave of the Day, and if you have a look at this [link], you might see many types of shaving equipment that was omitted from the comparison in your article.”

I think the journalist in question might really get a kick out of seeing some SOTD photos, because judging by his article, he probably doesn’t even know about at least half of the type of products DFS members use daily.

I try not to think of it on any normal day but this article made me look a little closer today and I am definitely not as handsome as I once was.

Ruining my face for many years has taken its toll.

has anyone tried emailing the magazine and/or the author?  if not, maybe I'll try to reach out to see what they say.  who knows, maybe they'll want to interview the forum..

I think it's ludicrous that he went from $8-10 razors up to $400..nothing in between there from the vintage side of things that can really give good shaves.

andrewjs18 that would be great, their email is editor@popularmechanics.com and further, Matsilainen and wyze0ne did capture the gist of my reasoning behind posting the article. To be fair, I still enjoy Popular Mechanics and will continue to subscribe. Their content can be variable from good to not so good but its usually interesting and if you find something that really interests you, you can always dive deeper on your own.
Cheers,
Marko

I try not to think of it on any normal day but this article made me look a little closer today and I am definitely not as handsome as I once was.

Ruining my face for many years has taken its toll.

Yeah, I've noticed that too.  In my friends and acquaintances that is.  I'm still as ruggedly handsome as ever  My eyeglass prescription has been getting stronger though.  Its probably best not to look too closely.  I went looking for an old Red Green clip on the subject and couldn't find it but this one is almost as good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUx_9C5cQ3Y

And you were expecting what exactly from a print magazine? For better or worse, print magazines have pretty much gone the way of the dodo. They have been replaced by online magazines, blogs, and YouTube videos. As advertising has shifted to the Internet, their funding and production values have both fallen. The results are predictable. If anyone needs proof, go to a newstand or other place that sells magazines and skim through a few. There are some special interest publications that are doing well, such as Backwoodsman and Primitive Archer, but the long established magazines are just shadows of their former selves. They are far smaller than before, and not nearly as good. Even the few print magazines that are prospering usually offer an online edition for paid subscribers.

Keeping in mind that magazines are for-profit entities, it is likely that Popular Mechanics was paid to do that "article" focusing on the One Blade. Really, it is hardly more than an infographic. As for the cartridge razors and the author's opinions, they are shared by a lot of men. Whether we agree or not, there are vast multitudes who are perfectly happy with their cartridge razors.

And you were expecting what exactly from a print magazine?  For better or worse, print magazines have pretty much gone the way of the dodo.  They have been replaced by online magazines, blogs, and YouTube videos.  As advertising has shifted to the Internet, their funding and production values have both fallen.  The results are predictable.  If anyone needs proof, go to a newstand or other place that sells magazines and skim through a few.  There are some special interest publications that are doing well, such as Backwoodsman and Primitive Archer, but the long established magazines are just shadows of their former selves.  They are far smaller than before, and not nearly as good.  Even the few print magazines that are prospering usually offer an online edition for paid subscribers.

Keeping in mind that magazines are for-profit entities, it is likely that Popular Mechanics was paid to do that "article" focusing on the One Blade.  Really, it is hardly more than an infographic.  As for the cartridge razors and the author's opinions, they are shared by a lot of men.  Whether we agree or not, there are vast multitudes who are perfectly happy with their cartridge razors.

Like I said, exactly more. I certainly wasn't expecting a well written, comprehensive treatise on the state of shaving in 2017 but even given the realities of print media I expected at least a nod to the fact that safety razors, straight razors and even electric razors are still used by men.

has anyone tried emailing the magazine and/or the author? if not, maybe I'll try to reach out to see what they say. who knows, maybe they'll want to interview the forum..

I think it's ludicrous that he went from $8-10 razors up to $400..nothing in between there from the vintage side of things that can really give good shaves.

Here is their Letter To The Editor link. Maybe if enough folks here write letters, they will get some attention. Sending the author a saftey razor starter kit and some tutorials might also be worthwhile. Hooking him up with wetshaving luminaries, such as Mark Herro (Mantic59) or Michael Ham (Leisureguy), or some of the manufacturers or retailers might be helpful. Maybe it won't amount to anything, but it never hurts to try. After all, wetshaving enthusiasts were responsible for articles on the Today show, as well as numerous articles in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and other newspapters.

Popular Mechanics has run articles on razors and shaving before:

The Skarp "Laser Razor" Is Going to Be Total Flaming Garbage
If it even happens at all.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technolo...-problems/

Worth the Money: Braun Series 7 790cc
In your morning routine, every minute is precious. A great razor can change your life.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technolo...-16906692/

Braun Pulsonic Shaver: Messainic Grooming Moment?
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technolo...0/4217853/

The last two articles are little more than Braun advertorials. Advertorials have been a staple of print magazines for decades, so that is not terribly surprising.

Like I said, exactly more. I certainly wasn't expecting a well written, comprehensive treatise on the state of shaving in 2017 but even given the realities of print media I expected at least a nod to the fact that safety razors, straight razors and even electric razors are still used by men.

What you say makes perfect sense, and I think is quite reasonable. If the "article" was merely an advertorial, then it would be focused on whoever handed out swag or paid for the ad. You will see a lot of the same thing on shaving blogs and certain forums, in which a favorable article is written or a product touted in return for free gear or money. I am not trying to justify that approach, and like you would have appreciated a more balanced and in-depth article. Popular Mechanics' online site is like a bunch of sound bites, and the print edition seems to mirror this format.

Marko , where to begin.

I think alot of guys hinted at it without actually saying it. But, consider what you just read a print version of "click-bait". The challenge is writing and printing something quasi-informative that fits within the bounds of PM. This is the best the author could do. A half page picture of a aged straight (aimed at men) then a comparison of razors that every man sees at Wal-Mart and Walgreens. (save for the exotic oneblade) Something every man has seen.

Now to explain why this article doesnt work for us but works for mainstream. And here I must use psychology to explain and politics as an example to show its effect. (please dont tune out now dear reader)

It is known as confirmation-bias. We seek out things that inform us that confirm what we know, and reinforces our beliefs. Most people dont seek out information that runs counter to their belief system. This article feeds the belief system of PM readers. My politics example is media bias. Truth finding organizations have proven that 98% of all news media is factual. Yet it is how a news media frames an article that confirms our existing beliefs. FOR EXAMPLE ONLY Conservatives dont seek out Rachel Maddow nor do Liberals enjoy watching Bill O'Rielly and Rush Limbaugh. Humans instinctively seek out the information that conforms to their existing bias, and reaffirms it.

In addition there is a bit of psychology in the short form articles. To avoid the painstaking process of supporting ideas with facts, authors draw a straight line from cause to effect and dwell on the effects as the focus of the article. This is a glaring skill free way to write an article and actively feeds into the confirmation bias mentioned earlier.

My last book I finished is titled Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance. First book in over a year. Thanks for the shout out HoosierShave , much appreciated

Thanks again olschoolsteel for those links, I just read this article:

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...es/517368/

Its excellent and I thought I'd paste the link here because there's lots of good stuff in there that other members might find interesting.

And, seeing as how we are in the shaving section, I had a great shave this morning and anticipate having another one tomorrow.