Wishful craze over graves

Would you pay money for a magazine loaded with obituaries? The New York Sun and the Wall Street Journal think they've stumbled across a booming new idea they want to put into action next year.

Obit calls itself "the hottest thing in periodicals since the golden years of Esquire and Playboy, that will leave an indelible mark on American society."

This magazine, The Obit, will contain obituaries as well as the "latest innovations in longevity and health", which will lead to discussions of death. Profiting off the baby boomers generation with this mind frame is rather disturbing. Come on, this magazine's purpose is to make money off the loss of many loved ones. There are way too many areas in which the publication of this magazine could ethically go down the tube. First of all, the Obit would have to have written consent from the families of the deceased person to have their obituary published. In most cases, it will also be hard to convince families The Obit staff does not seek to take advantage of their loss. Respect of families is a huge issue that needs to be dealt with as well.

I find this issue greatly relates to Machiavellian thoughts. People lie and are greedy. Appearance is everything. In this case, it appears to elderly people they're buying into something worthwhile, when in actuality they're being used for their money.

The Obit just seems downright depressing. Who wants to read about others who died and the idea death soon awaits you? Elderly people should be spending money on retirement plans, not wasting it on nonsense magazines. Once The Obit gets off its feet next year, I predict it will dig its own grave and be buried and forgotten.