Falling back in love with Print Magazines

The sound of the letterbox flapping and that satisfying plop as the packet lands on your doormat evokes a strange emotional reaction in me. I get childishly excited because a parcel delivery usually means 'goodies' in the form of books, models or other hobby related items. But the sound of a magazine being delivered is somehow unique and I had forgotten how much I missed it. I switched to digital subscriptions a few years ago, mainly because it was the cheaper option, I tended to hoard old issues and didn't really have anywhere to store them. However I soon discovered that I spend so much time online - reading blogs, updating social media and all the other distractions the Internet offers - that reading my digital magazines often got overlooked. In short, I got distracted by clickbait and ended up missing the important stuff!

Digital information, especially when presented on a screen, tends to get skimmed across more quickly (it's not called 'surfing' for nothing). That's not necessarily a criticism of the Internet but a natural evolution of utility that lends itself to fast information presented in small parcels. I doubt if I'm alone when I say that I am more inclined to read something in-depth when it is in a printed format. Don't get me wrong, I still think digital magazines are a great way to access hobby content but I was increasingly aware that I felt wistfully nostalgic about 'the good old days' when I bought paper magazines. So earlier this year I changed my subscriptions back to physical copies and have been enjoying the arrival of my printed magazines ever since... along with that satisfying plop when they land on the doormat.

I have a confession to make - I rarely read a magazine cover to cover. Not every article tickles my interest and I usually spend as much time absorbed in the adverts of new products as I do reading the features. But going back to physical magazines has definitely increased the amount I am reading compared to when I had digital copies. I have found myself dipping into their pages more often, and having a physical copy lying around not only reminds me to read it but it also successfully guilt's me into engaging with something I have spent good money on. Put the tablet down Lee it's saying, stop scrolling and pick me up!

  

As for the storage of back issues, I still haven't got space to keep more than a few months worth of magazines. However, I can't bring myself to throw them in the bin (sacrilege!) so what to do with them? If I find a particular article or scenario interesting I'll scan it so I can keep a copy and then I send the magazine on to a second life. In the past, I have given them to fellow gamers but most of my circle of friends already have their own copies filling shelves and storage boxes. My favoured method of disposal now is to donate my magazines to people or places that wouldn't normally buy them. I'll deposit a few copies in the waiting room at the doctor's surgery, at the dentist or the hospital and in the staff lunchroom at work. You never know, some bored patient or college may pick up a copy which could spark a new interest in the hobby.  I have even occasionally left a copy on the train, with the nebulous hope that some weary commuter would find it more interesting than a copy of the Evening Standard or the Metro.

My inspiration for this method of disposal comes from an experience I had at the hospital many years ago when I faced a very long wait in the Accident and Emergency department with a sick child and nothing to read. I poked desperately through a pile of awful magazines (all about fashion and celebrities... ugh!) hoping to find something of interest, and to my delight came across a copy of a military history magazine called After the Battle. Not only was it very interesting, helping to relieve the boredom, but I enjoyed it so much I ended up subscribing. So maybe leaving your used wargaming magazines will not only help some desperate individual pass the time it may even bring someone into the hobby (or indeed, back into the hobby).  Stranger things have happened.