Why do people buy tabloids?
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31634)
United States
November 9, 2008 12:04pm CST
You know, those trashy pulp magazines right by the checkout counter that proclaim these are the last days, or Dolly Parton has some sort of problem or they've discovered a horribly disfigured toddler locked up in a cage in Buckingham Palace--things like that. I have heard of people that actually believe this trash, I can't imagine how.
I'm always happy when someone wins a lawsuit against these trashy rags. They lie about people in the public eye, fantastically and with absolutely no proof. And yet, they make millions and millions of dollars because people buy them!
Do you buy these things? If so, please tell me why.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@coffeegurl (1467)
• United States
9 Nov 08
No, I don't buy them, but they are great for a laugh in the check out aisle.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
10 Nov 08
They are very funny! I remember when my kids learned to read they would gravitate toward those because of the garish pictures and I wouldn't allow them to touch them. I explained they were full of lies and weren't nice. So a couple of years ago my then 19yr old son was with me at the grocery checkout and he picked one up and said, "OMG, look Mom! I actually TOUCHED it!" and he broke out laughing. Thank goodness neither of them reads those! 
@coffeegurl (1467)
• United States
10 Nov 08
My favorite one was the article on the "Bat Child," and "Teen find cure for acne from Alien!"
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
9 Nov 08
I guess those are some reasons, but wouldn't their money be better spent taking their kid for an ice cream somewhere? Or going for a walk and laughing with someone? I just don't get it. I know humans have an appetite for sensationalism and the misfortunes of others make them feel better but I surely don't understand it!
Thanks for the reasons, it's food for thought.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
20 Nov 08
People do buy tabloids because they are curious and noisy to know how the others are leading their private lives.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
21 Nov 08
I don't understand that, though. I couldn't care less how a movie star lives. In fact, knowing their personal details takes away from the pleasure I get seeing them act in different roles. Oh well, it's just a mystery to me!
@ronnyb (6113)
• Jamaica
9 Nov 08
I dont buy tabloids nor do I like them .I beleive people buy them for different reasons ,some people have an insatiable need for gossip,others buy them to add a bit of flavour to their boring lives,for some its therapeutic and finally there are those who have a fixation on the lives of their stars.
Some people just like knowing they are in a position of control which they get by knowing about other people's lives.They like when others can come to them and they can say "You know who marsha is dating these days" and then you might say no and they say .......they get high just relaying that story from their elevated vantage points.In many instances these people know nothing just like to project that image and look like a "know it all".They figure they know everything about peoples business and might even make a few predictions, quite often you may hear them say "I am giving that couple two weeks ,mark my word and they will break up"
Some people have so many problems ,hearing about others problems as weird as it may seem is therapeutic.It puts things in perspective,helping them to realise they are not the worst and especially when it happens to people of affluence such as say a Dolly Parton,it helps them to cope with theirs knowing if it can happen to Dolly then maybe I am not the aim of a cruel kind of fate .
For some it is a fixation with their favourite stars that drives them to buy tabloids .They feel connected with them in a special way when they know who they are dating ,where they went to dinner,where they get their hair done and what kind of dogs they have .Even things that would seem mundane is amplified by a start struck fan and sell more tabloids .
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
10 Nov 08
I can understand reasons number one and two, but not the fixation on celebs. I guess it would make someone feel important to know all that stuff, I know I feel good about myself when I know something others don't!
Thank you for a very thoughtful reply!
