It is with great sadness that I read about the final nail in Amusement's coffin. Unfortunately, it seems as though this decision was inevitable. This year, more than ever, the publication has replaced wit and humor with weird for the sake of weird and shock for the sake of shock. How can anyone claim that what has been presented to Miamians over the past year was real satire?
What's even more troubling is former editor Anna Turner's farewell column. Is it supposed to be her honest opinion of Miami's media culture, or is it just another test of public reaction that she can later claim was all a joke? Sadly, this seems to perfectly capture Amusement's greatest problem, the inability to let readers in on the joke. Somewhere along the line, no one thought to close the gap between what the writers thought was funny and what entertained the public.
I really, honestly hope that Amusement can return in a couple years when the dust settles. It is an important publication, but what it needs — and what it has lacked for years — is focus. Why is Amusement not solely about Miami and about the things that take place here (outside of who walks on sidewalks)? If Amusement wants to be about music, movies and social commentary, then why is it not about Miami bands, Miami theatre, Miami movies, and well-done critiques of Miami life? From time to time there have been other alternative publications in the community, but this is supposed to be the flagship. It should be a standing challenge to every future generation of Miami student to resurrect Amusement and make it a good, funny paper — one worth reading again.
Jonathan Gair
Editorial Editor Emeritus MU ‘09
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