The Slingshot Magazine: Beware Of Pale Imitations
As Advertised In ‘The Slingshot’
Regular readers of these august columns will note that we frequently carry an advertisement from ‘The Slingshot: The Great British Magazine for Young Chaps’. One might think that The Slingshot might be confused for that other English institution ‘The Chap’, which is a more contemporary read offering advice about how to select a trilby, wear a waistcoat, or iron cavalry twill. But no it’s far more confusing for aside from ‘The Slingshot’ with its classic English guidance to the Empire our research department has discovered several other learned journals using the same title.
For example The Slingshot Magazine’s mandate is according to another web site: “to bind unconventional and literary arts in a way that has complicity intelligence and life. The writing must be visual and the visuals a good read. With no commentaries reviews or explanations, Slingshot offers the visually literate reader an imaginative and engaging journey between the covers.” Of course this is a completely different magazine.
Whilst ‘The Slingshot from The Bay Area, of San Francisco’: “is a quarterly, independent, radical, newspaper published in the East Bay since 1988 by the Slingshot Collective. We also publish the annual Slingshot Organizer radical calendar planner. We are an all volunteer, non-profit, tax exempt project of the Long Haul. Editorial decisions about Slingshot are made by the collective, but not all articles reflect the opinions of all collective members (i.e. we have no “party line.”) We welcome debate, constructive criticism and discussion. Current articles include “Avoiding Activist Burnout: a crazy critique” and “Suction Yer Own Cunt“, which are instructions about how to perform your own menstrual extraction!
The Slingshot Radical Collective also produce their own organizer for which they provide the following advice:
“To preserve your cover and binding, we recommend that as soon as you receive your Organizer, you cover it with clear contact paper or clear packing tape. Or, do like we do and decorate it with fake fur, glitter and day-glo beaded creations! Slingshot delivers all mail shipments to the post office by bicycle! We are an all-volunteer collective; no one makes profit on this project and all proceeds go to support the struggle for liberation! This year’s organizer is printed on recycled paper.”
Meanwhile back in Grande Britannica ‘The Slingshot: “bi-monthly magazines are the Official journal of the Society of Ancients”. We do not have a current issue to hand here in Amos but perusal on EBay reveals that Part 201 Jan/Feb 1999 has 62 pages and covers:
* Using Nabatean Arabs,
* Lead into Gold (painting miniatures),
* The tactical use of Chariots in the Ancient Near East,
* Communal armies in the county of Flanders,
* Warfare in Hasmonean Judea in the First Century BC.
* Using Warhammer Ancient Battles,
Whilst Part 202 Mar/April 1999 has 42 pages and covers:
* The battle of Stikestad 1030 AD,
* Customising the Essex ‘Dark Ages’ boat,
* Glutter of Ravens: warfare in Post Roman Britain.
* Vegetius and his ‘Epitome of Military Science’,
* Building an Aztec army,
* Gaming with Armati,
Thank heaven for our dear regular magazine with its sound common sense advice on deploying cricket fielders, or organizing a rugger match. Damn good stuff, and not a menstrual extraction to be had anywhere!
