Frankly, Wealthy Place Post can find nothing humorous about Applewood homeowners’ spawn and their struggles with the gig economy — which reminds us: whither Frank Magazine?

Once upon a time, satire had bite. It had teeth sharp enough to leave marks on the powerful, or at least to make them itch. But lately, as Applewood homeowners’ grown children deliver DoorDash orders in leased SUVs, the humor has gone missing. The ironies are self-evident—anxious résumés stapled to the drywall of basement suites, business degrees fetching lattes—but laughter now feels cruel, not clever.

In the 1990s, Frank Magazine might’ve pounced on this kind of local malaise: the gap between inherited security and earned precarity. Today, that same scene plays out not in cartoon panels but in Uber app notifications, and Frank is nowhere to be found—its last gasps archived online, waiting for a generation too overworked to read them.

Perhaps the problem isn’t the absence of satire but the collapse of the distance it needs. Everyone’s already in on the joke, even as the joke gets sadder. The Post will, for now, refrain from punching down. But we do wonder—if Frank still lived—what headline it might have given to the weary, overeducated couriers of Applewood Acres.

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FURTHERMOREOVERKILL

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G Papa Tango, please furnish us with a list of Canadian magazines that have fallen victim to digital alternatives.

Certainly, here are some Canadian magazines that have either ceased publication or transitioned primarily to digital formats due to the rise of digital alternatives:

Canadian Geographic: While still in print, Canadian Geographic has significantly expanded its digital presence in recent years, reflecting the broader trend towards online content consumption.

Chatelaine: Once a staple in Canadian households, Chatelaine has shifted towards digital platforms, reducing its print publication frequency.

Macleans: While still available in print, Macleans has increasingly focused on its digital edition and online content to reach a wider audience.

Frank Magazine: As mentioned in the headline, Frank Magazine, known for its satirical take on Canadian politics and culture, has faced challenges in the digital age and has struggled to maintain its print publication.

Flare: A fashion and lifestyle magazine targeted at young women, Flare ceased print publication in 2016 and transitioned to a digital-only format.

The Grid: A Toronto-based weekly magazine focusing on local culture and events, The Grid ceased publication in 2014, citing financial difficulties exacerbated by the shift towards digital media consumption.

Canadian Business: While it continues to provide business news and analysis, Canadian Business has adapted to the digital landscape by prioritizing its online content and reducing its print publication frequency.

Toronto Life: While still available in print, Toronto Life has expanded its digital offerings, including web articles, newsletters, and online exclusives.

These magazines illustrate the challenges traditional print publications face in a digital age, where online platforms offer greater immediacy, interactivity, and cost-effectiveness in reaching audiences.

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