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Matt
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« on: August 01, 2003, 12:34:12 PM » |
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Hello everyone on this board! I have been reading several of the topics on here and am encouraged to see the honesty and thought that is found on this site that isn't really found on a lot of other "christian" sites. Anyhow, I am interested to know what everyone's opinion is about relevant magazine? At first I was excited by it, but it seems to be just hit and miss for me. With the miss outweighing the hit. Anyway, I'm not too big of a fan but am interested in hearing your thoughts and why you feel that way about this publication. Thanks and I am anxious to converse more on here =D
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Vlad!
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« Reply #1 on: August 01, 2003, 03:12:06 PM » |
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Relevant is indeed fairly hit-and-miss, which (unfortunately) does make it better than SOME Christian publications [_[
I think that Relevant is trying hard to be, well, relevant, but they're not there yet. I wish them nothing but luck.
Both Mark and Josh have contributed to Relevant, and Josh will (I believe) actually be in print in their next issue. Naturally I'm biased, but if Relevant goes out of their way to seek thoughtful Christian critics who aren't totally caught up in the contemporary Christian scene, I wholeheartedly approve.
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If you don’t have freedom as a principle, you can never see a reason not to make an exception. There are constantly going to be times when for one reason or another there’s some practical convenience in making an exception.
rms
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kelliBJo
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« Reply #2 on: August 01, 2003, 04:43:52 PM » |
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i LOVE relevant magazine!! i'm not really sure what you guys mean about it being 'hit and miss'... could you explain?
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\"broken down/ we're all so broken down/ bandages on our wings/ i know i don't have to tell you/ only broken hearts can sing\" ~ Over the Rhine
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Josh
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« Reply #3 on: August 01, 2003, 09:04:32 PM » |
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I'm only familiar with the online edition of Relevant, but I find it to be too flashy. It's basically like a Christian version of Entertainment Weekly; it's not a magazine that asks a lot of big questions or offers any big answers, as one friend put it.
And the name is kind of pretentious, no? Don't ALL magazines strive for relevance...?
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ixoye41
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« Reply #4 on: August 01, 2003, 11:08:24 PM » |
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I too am familiar only with the online version of Relevant. I enjoy the God section articles usually. for the most part they are useful in encouraging me spiritually. i have only heard about the print issues, (mostly people complaining that they were all about music reviews). frankly entertainment news doesn't exactly excite me (even if it does have a Christian perspective). one thing about relevant online that i don't particularly like is their forum. not sure what it is about it that turns me off, but every time i go there i never find myself feeling i have anything beneficial to contribute (or gain for that matter) to any of their topics.
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Josh
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« Reply #5 on: August 01, 2003, 11:13:27 PM » |
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Their forum doesn't excite me much, either, but that's not something I hold against the magazine itself.
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kelliBJo
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« Reply #6 on: August 01, 2003, 11:40:05 PM » |
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it's not a magazine that asks a lot of big questions or offers any big answers i guess i'm in the minority then, cuz i've actually found that magazine, website included, to ask some of the deepest questions imaginable and really provoke thought on rarely-talked about topics... and i actually love their forum too ~ it kicks. maybe it's just me?  but i've got the love for 'em... |
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\"broken down/ we're all so broken down/ bandages on our wings/ i know i don't have to tell you/ only broken hearts can sing\" ~ Over the Rhine
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Matt
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« Reply #7 on: August 02, 2003, 12:50:09 AM » |
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Well first let me say that I believe this is a site that is worth checking out. I have been turned on to different things that I normally never would have been exposed to. Their book recommendations have at times been very good too, buechner, tolkien, sayers, o'connor and other great writers have been mentioned on the site. Some of my criticism comes from this, and this is just a matter of opinion for me I guess, but in reading the books they publish and their online magazine I sometimes got the distinct feeling that they were trying to "give props" or advertise movies or bands that I particulary wasn't too interested in more than touching on some of the subjects that needed to be discussed. I'm sure not all agree with me but I felt like it would make people want to go watch the matrix ( a movie I'm not crazy about) or some other such "relevant spiritual" film than actually dig deeper into their lives and relationship with God. Ok so you guys like the matrix....uh that's great....so uh can we get back to the matter about doubt or whatever the subject may be. Don't get me wrong a lot of the stuff they mentioned I like and have been influenced spiritually and otherwise by but I feel that our job is not to kiss these peoples rear and talk about how great they are but to delve into the subjects that are adressed as I'm sure the majority of them want us to do. Anyhow this post has gone too long  and I probably have confused some people...hehe...it is 1:30 a.m. as I write this but anyhow out of all the criticism I have heaped upon them I believe that they have shown, steps in a direction that I think is very helpful. |
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linds
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« Reply #8 on: August 03, 2003, 08:23:30 PM » |
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i've been a lot more impressed by relevant's efforts at their print magazine than their online stuff.
to me, their online articles on God are rarely profound; their articles on life are usually cheesy or unhelpful; but their articles on progressive culture are often interesting. in my opinion, a lot of their online stuff is poorly written, probably since it is so user-driven.
i've enjoyed the print magazine, and i applaud relevant's achievements and efforts. i realize that they're just getting started, and that the magazine will continue to improve.
also, i like the graphic design of their print magazine.
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\"I saved Latin. What did you ever do?\"
--Rushmore
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Josh
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« Reply #9 on: August 03, 2003, 09:09:53 PM » |
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to me, their online articles on God are rarely profound; their articles on life are usually cheesy or unhelpful; but their articles on progressive culture are often interesting. in my opinion, a lot of their online stuff is poorly written, probably since it is so user-driven.
Agreed on two out of three. I don't find their progressive culture to be that great, either, though it has its moments... like when Andree and I contribute to it.  |
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beautifulmess
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« Reply #10 on: August 03, 2003, 11:20:00 PM » |
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I greatly enjoy Relevant online. They've made me think quite a bit, actually. You have good taste, Kelli. |
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My Journal*My Poetry\"The quiche made me look fat.\" --Kirk, from Gilmore Girls when Lorelai asked why he was in a hot dog suit
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rebel546
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« Reply #11 on: August 04, 2003, 06:11:42 PM » |
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I'm with Kelli... almost everything I read in the print mag is good. they've helped me move out of my Christian bubble a lot, although for people who aren't in the Christian bubble it might be more dry. One thing I don't like is they talk and talk and talk about how everyone hates the Christian subculture, and then they have full page ads of awful Christian bands like GlassBryd! Grr!
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Josh
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« Reply #12 on: August 04, 2003, 09:15:01 PM » |
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THEY NEED TO DEFINE THE TERM RELEVANT. It's as if they have a list of musicians and films; things on the list are relevant and therefore worth talking about, whereas anything off the list is irrelevant and better off ignored. Now, what are the criteria for being relevant? Beats me. It's probably just a matter of what their editor enjoys personally.
It's amateurish.
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rebel546
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« Reply #13 on: August 05, 2003, 09:54:54 PM » |
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I think the zine will get exponentially better. Just give em' a year or two (and by then I'll finally be the target audience) and then they'll be top notch, for sure.
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Josh
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« Reply #14 on: August 05, 2003, 09:57:54 PM » |
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I certainly hope so. But changes will have to be made. Starting with a more clearly-defined mission statement. And more real brainfood and less of this tabloidish fluff.
I critique, people, I don't criticize. =)
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Josh
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« Reply #15 on: August 06, 2003, 10:18:57 AM » |
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...and now the online edition of Relevant is recycling material. They want to save up stuff for the future, so they're reposting old articles over the next two or three months, without any new material at all. I've seen my Radiohead review newly published at least twice since it was originally added to the site. |
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smartash
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« Reply #16 on: August 06, 2003, 03:10:34 PM » |
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well, call me uninformed, but i've never found anything like relevant magazine, online and print, and i appreciate what they're doing. i think they take christianity for the 20 something deeper than the christian pop culture crap that's out there. i admit i dont read everything in it, i skim for that which catched my interest, and most of what i've read has interested me deeply-- that and they published a paper of mine:)
and they advertized inflata-churches! those are possibly the coolest things ever!
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\"I haven't come for only you, but for my people to pursue. you cannot care for Me with no regard for Her; if you love Me you will love the Church.\"
\"i am a whore i do confess, i put You on just like a wedding dress and i run down the aisle, run down the aisle. i'm a prodical with no way home, i put You on just like a ring of gold and i run down the aisle, i run down the aisle to You.\"
-- Derek Webb, She must and Shall Go Free
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polka_dot
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« Reply #17 on: August 06, 2003, 03:12:08 PM » |
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Yeah, I noticed that. I was reading this article on a girl helping her friend through an abortion and had a serious case of deja vu. It's especially weird to read comments people left about the article like 6 months ago... I find that the articles are hit and miss - some have really made me think, and some I've just found boring.
The forum on the site is a good read, though.
Is the print version of the magazine worth getting? I usually hate buying magazines, it costs way too much for what you get.
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OUT! OUT! You demons of stupidity! - Dogbert
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kelliBJo
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« Reply #18 on: August 06, 2003, 03:31:21 PM » |
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what's wrong with recycling articles? polka dot, as a subscriber, i def. think the print magazine is worth getting... yeah, most of the focus is on music, but there are also REALLY insightful articles in there about other things.. i love it, when they announce that the new issues have been shipped, i'm always anxious for the mail to come =D i think everything in life can be hit-and-miss, but i just find it hard to criticize something like relevant magazine when what they're doing is something SO needed in our culture today... i totally applaud what they're doing and can't find much criticism for it... but to each his own.  |
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\"broken down/ we're all so broken down/ bandages on our wings/ i know i don't have to tell you/ only broken hearts can sing\" ~ Over the Rhine
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Josh
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« Reply #19 on: August 06, 2003, 04:16:53 PM » |
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what's wrong with recycling articles? Well, wouldn't you rather read new articles than the same articles you've read before? We manage to post brand new material just about every day on the Base. And we're not even getting paid! And don't get me wrong, pholks- Relevant does some good work, and they could eventually become a great publication. I just tire of hearing about how they're the greatest thing since sliced bread. And I'm definitely biased; I honestly believe that the Base is a better publication. :embarass: |
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beautifulmess
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« Reply #20 on: August 06, 2003, 05:12:00 PM » |
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As much as I might enjoy Relevant, the Base is still way better in every way.
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My Journal*My Poetry\"The quiche made me look fat.\" --Kirk, from Gilmore Girls when Lorelai asked why he was in a hot dog suit
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rebel546
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« Reply #21 on: August 06, 2003, 07:02:47 PM » |
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Aww... now I feel all warm and squishy inside. Either that or I need to wear diapers.
Anywhoo... it's like ten bucks for six issues... not too shabby. My problem is I don't have time to read the thing cover to cover... which I like to do... because then I get my money's worth.
I remember the day when our aspiration was to be as good as CCM online or The Phantom Tollbooth or one of those online zines... and now we try to stay as far away from replicating those publications as possible. oh, how times change.
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Josh
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« Reply #22 on: August 06, 2003, 09:00:14 PM » |
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I remember the day when our aspiration was to be as good as CCM online or The Phantom Tollbooth or one of those online zines... and now we try to stay as far away from replicating those publications as possible. oh, how times change. Oh, Relevant is WAY better than both of these publications. CCM, especially, has gone way downhill. |
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linds
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« Reply #23 on: August 07, 2003, 05:28:40 PM » |
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relevant looks really, really good when you start comparing it to CCM.
that puts things into perspective.
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\"I saved Latin. What did you ever do?\"
--Rushmore
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Josh
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« Reply #24 on: August 07, 2003, 07:37:48 PM » |
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relevant looks really, really good when you start comparing it to CCM.
that puts things into perspective.
The high school newspaper I worked on was more proffessional than CCM. |
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ixoye41
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« Reply #25 on: August 11, 2003, 09:13:36 PM » |
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sometimes i check out Boundless Webzine as an alternative to Relevant mag. its got some good articles for 20-somethings. |
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