ADBUSTERS MAGAZINE - REVIEW BY BRIAN JAMES

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Adbusters Magazine is a product of Adbusters Media Foundation, a non-for-profit, anti-consumerist organization founded in 1989 by Kalle Lasn and Bill Schmalz. Created and based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, the foundation describes itself as "a global network of artists, activists, writers, pranksters, students, educators, and entrepreneurs who want to advance the new social activist movement of the information age.

The organization and its bi-monthly print child focuses its attention on campaigns against consumerism, Capitalism,, war, poverty, globalization, environmental destruction, and other issues it sees as negatively affecting our societies and the world as a whole. Very often themed, each new issue challenges the intent of mass media and tests the limits of social thoughts, ideas, and opinions through a wide selection of contents and presentations.

Although cutting edge in its educated, liberalistic, and extreme leftist themes, I think the genius of Adbusters lies more in how the material is presented than the actual subject matter itself. Feature articles and mock advertisements are presented creatively through the use of stylized layouts, design work, photography, and non-linear writing styles. The magazine forces itself upon the reader with an aesthetic that's as intriguing as it is disturbing by using art and creative writing to question all aspects of life that have come to be accepted as "norm". You could very easily categorize Adbusters as an art magazine. Its a product that achieves an end result that all the aspects of quality art should achieve. It makes you think.

In recent years the magazine has come under fire for having a similar style and using the same techniques it rallies against to help push their own agendas and ideas, but its that very cynicism and contradictory attitude that attracts me to each new issue month after month. Theres a lot more goin on between the pages of its high gloss cover than meets the eye.

I have a lot of interests and its very hard for me to have a favorite "anything". But if you ever ask me what my favorite magazine is, Ill say Adbusters every time. High Praise. Check it out. - Brian James/ Dope Sick Radio