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The New Yorker has long been one of the few outlets of long-form writing about interesting subjects. I can't tell whether you are criticizing the New Yorker or comparing it to other media.

" the incentives are skewed, "

Indeed they are. Did you click on the article? Were you presented with ads? (I will assume you didn't click any).

If so, it served its purpose. If not, you offer no value to the New Yorker.

Of course, you could give publishers money in exchange for content on a monthly basis, thereby incentivizing them to continue to produce stuff you think is worth the money.