I think he is talking about the psychology of the magazines from a marketing standpoint. There is a lot of sociology literature about the idiotic ideals they portray. You could check out that instead to get a grasp on the mindset of the reader or at the very least what the reader will be receptive to.

Do these magazines attempt to create a market or do they validate a demand? That would be my question.

You understood me well.

Do these magazines attempt to create a market or do they validate a demand?

This is the first question that came to my mind, and the answer came to me immediately by looking left and right. It was Saturday afternoon, and while I was there to remove a nasty afro-mohawk that I grew out of boredom, the gentlemen crowding the shop where almost lifted out of the pages, and seem to be following fashions proscribed therein. They're not millionaires, they were your average Joes, but I could flip through pages and find everyone's fashion and accessories; from phones, to shoes, choice of clothes. There was even a guy who had his eye-brows done before he went on to sit underneath one of those "insert head, wait for an hour" bowls that look like a giant reading lamp, or a space helmet (my girl gets those and I never imagined apparently straight men would be into that. Does it blow air or does it vacuum?)

Maybe it takes an outsider to see a world differently, but to me it was a wake up call to keep an eye on that part of society.

If I'm understanding correctly, it's what every surviving media outlet does - validate a demand. People magazine gives middle aged women something to dream about, Maxim does the same thing for guys, reading signal vs. noise does the same for aspiring founders. Because the audience is actively seeking something, there's a good chance they will follow whatever they're being fed by the media outlet. Some of these audiences are less receptive than others, but I understand how it's helpful to understand that market.

Also, I think it blows air but not sure. :)

Agreed. I enjoy Maxim but I can't say it's helped me to develop app ideas. At all.

Also... why are you assuming that everyone here needs helping writing apps for a male audience? Wouldn't you be helping them tap into a goldmine by suggesting they read, say, Glamour?

You might not find app ideas in popular rags, but it's my belief that you will find ways to frame, present and market the product.

There is this "society" of men, the readers of Maxim and clients of that barber, that all seem to share the same "buying ideals". People openly talked about what they bought and what they intend to buy, what's "hot" and what's not. Most telling was when they passed around an issue to share pictures they thought were funny/cool, etc. I say tap into this "culture" and use its language to position yourself. You can grab a few phrases from a trendy/insider lingo, if not for anything, then for Adwords or SEO.

I think my exuberance can be excused :-)

P.S. Thanks for the Glamour reference.