I.D. will be no more

OMG! Devastating news (that I've only just caught up, but is now several days old)!

I.D. Magazine will soon be no more. The publishers announced on 15th Dec that after 55 years of continuous production, they would be closing the mag down. Apparently I.D. had not turned a profit in seven years and was beset by competition from shelter magazines and mainstream glossies, which have been aggressively adding design coverage, owing to rising interest in design among mainstream audiences.

While it is very sad to see the death of any fine publication, it does, in a way, point to the need for a total overhaul and recognition of a changing industry. I don't read magazines anymore - I don't have the time. I rely on RSS feeds, news wires, blogs, social networks and other instant, cloud-sourced means of information. I don't read physical newspapers, I read them online, or utilise computerised search and filter systems to gain the information I need. My job is deeply embedded in the world of communications and news, so if a specialist like myself no longer needs the print medium, it's time to recognise a new form of media dissemination.

The somewhat stupid conversation surrounding Murdoch's threats to paywall his entire media empire, including blocking out Google, is going in the exact opposite direction to the market forces. Information can no longer be controlled, as the controllers of past generations no longer hold the keys. The cringe-worthy term of 'citizen journalist' is becoming more relevant every single day - people are realising that whereas journalism was initially perceived as a trained profession, it is nothing more than a decent grasp of grammar, the ability to research and a good subeditor. Yes, there is value in charging for the content, in order to pay the professional for their services, but sooner or later that very 'profession' is going to become obsolete.

It's high time we as a culture recognised that information cannot be owned. Our education systems should encourage the idea that any one person can be a creator, consumer, producer and critic. It's only by ensuring that level of equality that we can have a truly unbiased worldwide media industry.

But I'm sad to see I.D. go.