Sometimes the web is put down for providing the public with nothing more than filler, filth, and eye candy. Magazines like Cultronix negate this type of criticism, for it provides readers with engaging articles and multimedia on topics of contemporary concern. For example, the most recent issue, entitled “Allopathologies” dealt with the state of modern health care, an issue of great import to almost everyone with electronic activity in the brain. They tackle the topic through humor, art and photography (some of which did not work), testimonials, and research paper. Cultronix has something for almost anyone, if only they are patient enough to search.
Some of the articles, though informative, are a bit too highbrow for the general public. Cultronix, however, is so multifaceted that the malcontents need only try another article that will hit upon the theme in a way that they will find pleasing. An example of some dry humor from “Therapeutic State”:
Ben Casey: You’ve been discharged.
Patient: I am discharge? I am something unnecessary and useless the body spits out?
Ben Casey: No, you are of no use to the hospital.
Cultronix takes a rich and varied approach both in method and in subtopics, which increases the relevance to the average individual. The “Allopathology” issue included articles ranging in topic from cancer to maternal health care to AIDS. They also provide a conference line, which goes unused. Probably most of the readers are professionals and are too busy to indulge in idle chatter.
All in all, Cultronix is a masterful and well developed zine, one that should be visited often. It’s not cute or flashy, nor should it be. It is simple in structure, and some of the photos will not pop up. However, minor flaws like these are moot, because the content more than makes up for it.
About the AuthorKimberly Villalba Wright was born in Hollywood, Florida, and has spent most of her life in Mobile, Alabama. She earned a BA in English at the University of South Alabama in 1997. Her poetry has appeared in the Epiphany, Arrowsmith, Doggerel, Dicat Libre, El Locofoco, as well as Poetry Café. This fall, Wright will begin working toward an MFA in creative Writing at the University of Memphis. Wright currently resides in Kennett, Missouri.
Books We Love
