This makes me sad, but also a long time coming. I remember reading them cover-to-cover as a kid several decades ago, but the quality went down, ads went up, etc. and I haven't read one now in 10 years or more.
"Our favorite cannabis vaporizer is $90 off for Cyber Monday"
"2024 BMW G 310 R review: A starter bike you won’t outgrow"
"You can still get the best Apple products at the best prices … if you act fast"
"20+ luxury items that are less pricey for Cyber Monday"
"This is your last chance to save $100 on an Xbox Series X during Cyber Monday"
I really just think there is no consumer market left that would support well written, long-form science journalism. So the choice is either to close up shop, or act as a front for retail outlets.
Nautilus is trying to be that. It's honestly not very good writing or editing, but I still enjoy the experience of getting a science magazine in the mail every once in a while and skimming through it.
https://michaelshermer.substack.com/p/scientific-american-go...
https://scottaaronson.blog/?p=6202
https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/the-shameful-decline...