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WIRED – What It Is and Why It Matters
If you’re wondering about WIRED — both the magazine and its online edition at Wired.com — here’s a useful breakdown of what it is, how it got here, and why it still matters.
What WIRED Covers
WIRED is a publication that focuses on “how technology is changing every aspect of our lives—from culture, business, science to design.” (WIRED) The website Wired.com and the magazine cover topics like emerging tech, cybersecurity, design, business, culture, and science. The intent is not just gadget reviews, but analysis and ideas about how technology and society intersect. (WIRED)
So if you’re reading WIRED, you’ll find things like: how a new tech trend might reshape work; how design and culture respond to the digital era; investigations of business models enabled by technology; the societal implications of AI, etc.
A Brief History
WIRED was founded in the early 1990s in San Francisco by Louis Rossetto and Jane Metcalfe with the idea of capturing the “digital revolution” in progress. (Wikipedia) Its first issue appeared in 1993. (Encyclopedia Britannica)
Originally a print magazine, it quickly developed an online presence. Its website (Wired.com) became a central hub for its content—and for content about technology broadly. At one point the web version and the print version had separate ownership; eventually they were reunited under publisher Condé Nast Publications. (Wikipedia)
Over time, WIRED evolved from being “just” a tech magazine into a space for deep-thinking articles about the broader impact of tech on society. For example, it coined the term “crowdsourcing.” (Wikipedia)
Why It’s Still Relevant
Here are a few reasons why WIRED remains a valuable source:
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It bridges technology and culture: Many publications focus on one or the other; WIRED frequently mixes the two—how tech influences culture, how design influences business, how business influences science.
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It emphasizes ideas and trends: Not just product reviews but forward-looking pieces, whether about AI, security, climate, or business models.
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It has credibility: Libraries describe the magazine as “examining technology and its effect on all aspects of culture, from social and recreational to business and politics.” (library.illinois.edu) Its bias and reliability ratings show it leans left but is considered generally reliable. (Ad Fontes Media)
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It has a global footprint: While US-based, it has international editions and a global audience. (Wikipedia)
If your interest is in the intersection of tech and society rather than purely gadget specs, WIRED is worth following.
How It’s Structured
On the site and in print, WIRED organises content into distinct categories. For the website, the redesign in 2015 laid out six section fronts: Business, Design, Entertainment, Gear, Science, Security. (WIRED)
You’ll find long-form pieces, essays, features, and news. Its “About” information says it aims to make sense of “a world in constant transformation.” (WIRED)
There is also a paywall in some cases: while some content is freely accessible, many articles require subscription or limited free access. (Wikipedia)
What Happens If You Rely on It (and What to Watch Out For)
What you’ll get:
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In-depth, sometimes long-read articles.
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Context around tech trends, not just the latest gadget.
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Good visuals and design.
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Journalistic standards around verification (for major pieces).
What you should watch out for / limitations:
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Because the focus is broad, you may find fewer super-deep niche technical pieces compared to specialist journals.
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As with any publication, bias may creep in. WIRED is rated as “Skews Left” for bias by Ad Fontes Media. (Ad Fontes Media)
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The paywall means you’ll hit limits unless you subscribe.
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Because its focus is big ideas, sometimes the article might assume background knowledge or interest in tech/culture.
Common Mistakes People Make with WIRED
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Treating it as a gadget review site only. While WIRED does talk about gadgets (“Gear” section), that is a small part of it. If you expect simple “10 best phones” lists, you might be disappointed.
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Ignoring the context. One of WIRED’s strengths is the broader lens: economy, design, politics, culture. Missing that means missing what the piece is really about.
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Assuming everything is free. Many stories are behind a paywall or limited-access. Not planning for that means frustration.
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Overlooking regional relevance. Although global, many pieces are US- or US-tech-centric. If you’re based in Jakarta, Indonesia you might want to filter for local relevance or take the US angle with a grain of salt.
Why It Matters for You
If you’re trying to stay ahead of technological shifts—or understand how they affect business, culture, work, or design—WIRED offers a lens. Suppose you work in product development, or marketing, or technology policy in Indonesia: reading WIRED can help you spot global shifts and then ask how they play out locally. Because it doesn’t just describe what tech is, but helps you think “so what does this mean?”
Final Take
WIRED is more than a tech magazine. It’s a journalistic platform about how technology interacts with people, culture, business and society. If you engage with it not just for news but for insight, you’ll get more out of it. At the same time, treat it like one tool among many—pair it with more specialized or local sources for a full picture.
FAQ
Q: Is Wired.com the same as the magazine?
A: They share brand and editorial direction, but the website allows faster publishing, more multimedia content. The magazine is more curated. Both are under the same publisher.
Q: Do I have to pay to read WIRED?
A: Many articles are free, but the site uses a paywall for some content. If you hit the limit you’ll need a subscription.
Q: Is WIRED reliable?
A: Yes, broadly speaking. It’s rated as “Generally Reliable” by media-bias analysts. (Ad Fontes Media) As with any source, check specific stories for sourcing and bias.
Q: Can I pitch an article to WIRED?
A: Yes—WIRED accepts freelance pitches in features and essays. They publish guidelines online. (WIRED)
Q: Does WIRED cover non-US topics?
A: Yes, but many stories are US-centric. They have international editions and global coverage, but depending on your interest you may want to supplement with local tech/culture publications.
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