Slate publishes an article on one of the most interesting aspects of Apple's iTunes and goes for the easy celebrity story instead of something really interesting (Beyoncé, Your Mix Tape Sucks).
One of the most innovative, creative and significant aspects of the transition to digital downloadable music that the music industry seems to have ignored is the critical importance of the playlist. Playlists are key to organizing, listening to and discovering new music in the digital age. They are a tool that many people can use much more efficiently to publicize their music interests, turn people on to new music and assist in providing a musical education, among other things. Apple has begun to design tools that recognize the importance of playlists. They aren't nearly as cool as Webjay, but they are trying.
So does Slate write about any of these fascinating aspects of the playlist community? Nah, they go for the easy celebrity piece and rag on the mostly weak and uninteresting celebrity playlists Apple uses as a marketing tool. Mainstream journalism is sooo impressive.