Life — December 31, 1914 — page 4: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Life Magazine Satirical Resolutions (1915) This page presents Life magazine's tongue-in-cheek "New Year's Resolutions" for 1915. The satire mocks the magazine's own editorial practices and independence: **Key satirical points:** - Promises not to pressure readers into subscriptions or be "too humorous" - Vows to refuse contributions from famous figures (Tagore, Kaiser Wilhelm, Carrie Chapman Catt, Mellen, Roosevelt)—likely poking fun at celebrity culture - Declares intent to "refuse to listen to opinions of others" when they disagree - Proudly announces omitting coupons to demonstrate independence from "tyrannous advertising" - Humorously claims to remain "an elder brother to the under dog" The cartoon character (a small figure with a rifle) reinforces the magazine's self-image as a scrappy, independent voice. The resolutions are deliberately contradictory and absurd, satirizing both the magazine itself and typical self-help resolutions.