Back to the future

This issue marks Delayed Gratification’s 11th anniversary and, as ever, our birthday finds us in a reflective mood. We’re looking back to this summer’s Olympics and Paralympics (see p022 and p052), the history of planetary discovery (p078) and the 1980s teenagers who revolutionised computer games (p108). Quick go on Jet Set Willy, anyone?

In some cases our ability to take the long view is only possible thanks to the bravery of the journalists we work with.
After the Taliban encircled Kabul in August, many international correspondents took the decision to fly home. Charlie Faulkner chose to stay and bear witness to the actions of Afghanistan’s new regime. You can read her extraordinary story on this bruised and battered nation on p064.

This issue also sees us looking forward. As the world deals with the impact of climate change (see p034 for our report on a summer of extreme weather events), we wanted to do everything we can to minimise our own impact. We’re happy to announce that from this issue on, the production of the magazine will be carbon neutral. We also continue to print on woodfree paper from FSC-approved sources, use eco-friendly inks and send copies out in recyclable packaging.

We can’t make this magazine without your support. If you have a friend who would like Delayed Gratification, why not buy them a subscription from slow-journalism.com? Enter the code GIFTSLOW to get 15 percent off, meaning a subscription starts from just £34. We’d also love it if you’d pick up a copy of our beautiful new infographics book, An Answer For Everything, from your favourite bookstore. Alternatively, signed copies are available at our online shop. Every penny you spend with us helps fund our in-depth Slow Journalism.

We hope you enjoy the issue,

Rob and Marcus, editors

Posted on Friday, August 18th, 2023 - Categories: #44 - Jul-Sep 2021.