Forbes Magazine

The impression I had of Forbes for many years is of a stuffy, conservative magazine for old money types. But over the years (reading the magazine on long airline trips) I was again and again impressed by how such short articles (most of the items are a page or so) can pack so much useful information. Forbes cover all aspects of business from finance and banking, to M&A, technology, investing, personal wealth, International events and many others.

The most valuable part of the magazine are the articles, written by and large as ?opinion & analysis? pieces. In other words, what you read is some ones ideas about certain topic. The opinion is often based on facts and analysis, which makes it even more valuable. I find about 85% of the content interesting enough to read through. What I like the most is the hard core analysis of issues. For instance: What are the geopolitical, economical, and cultural issues that will influence the price of diamonds in the next years. Who will benefit? What are the forces that shape the diamond trade? You get the drift.

In general I find the Forbes 400 or 500 or what ever it is, not very interesting ? I don?t really need to know who the 387th richest person in the world is ? but while it is a large part of the magazine marketing it is a small part of the content.

Forbes does have the editorial side. If you are not a social conservative (I am not) you will not like it. I block it out.