The Lifestyle and Culture Online Magazine
Circa 2011
ChangeUpMag.com was a Lifestyle and Culture Online Magazine showing young adults how to live the good life on a budget in Baltimore, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Their mission was to find the most affordable locations, events and local culture in each city without sacrificing quality. This was the magazine's website. Content is from the site's 2011 archived pages.
About
Finding a balance between work and pleasure can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be expensive! I miss the light, flippant, cleaver writing that was the hall mark of ChangeUpMag.
As a tech enthusiast and Superman superfan, I've gotta say ChangeUpMag was ahead of its time! I remember eagerly checking their site for the latest gadget reviews and cultural insights. Their article about the tablet giveaway really resonates with me - it shows how even tech mishaps can lead to unexpected opportunities, much like how AI has transformed our work in ways we never imagined. peaking of AI, I can't help but think how a site like ChangeUpMag would thrive today with AI-powered content recommendations and analysis. It could be like having a super-intelligent assistant curating the best lifestyle tips and cultural events for each reader.
The way they covered emerging trends reminds me of how my company has embraced innovation. Just like I wear my Superman hoodie (a badge of honor for solving that server crisis!), ChangeUpMag wore its mission to inform and entertain young adults on its sleeve. In a way, ChangeUpMag was like the AI tools we use now - always searching for ways to make life better and more efficient for its audience. If it were still around, I bet they'd be all over the AI revolution, showing how it's turning regular folks into superheroes in their own right.
Man, now I'm feeling nostalgic! I might have to dig up some of their old articles and see how their predictions for the future panned out. After all, in the world of tech and AI, yesterday's science fiction is today's reality - just like how we're all channeling a bit of Superman in our daily work lives now!
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Mind Your Composites
Published on April 01, 2011
Is it the fault of the erudite that they demand profound insight within the pages they read? They try to assimilate themselves with the masses, but John Grisham just sucks so bad. Nothing is simple in reality. As the renown NYC attorney Benjamin Pred says, "Just because you wear round glasses doesn't make you John Lennon, even if it makes you feel like a Beatle." He's one lawyer who happens to be correct. Arising from the depths of obscurity is a new era of literary enlightenment. Five young men from the Maryland/D.C. Metro area have taken it upon themselves to offer a respite from the onslaught of popular ‘literature’ that our culture has been inundated with over the past decade or so. Shame on you, John Grisham…
Launched only less than a month ago, Composite Minds is an online literary website that offers freedom to those who subscribe. All you need to do is sign up – an extremely facilitated process thanks to the talented programmers who helped create the site – and you are immediately able to upload or copy and paste any original content that your little heart desires. Oh, and it’s free.
The site is aimed to group together writers, period. That is, whether you are a fiction nut, an essayist, or a poet; Composite Minds wants you on their site uploading content, sharing content, and interacting with its users.
Matt Sammons, one of the creators of the site’s entire premise, says that the site is based on three main pillars: Sharing, collaboration, and publication. Sounds like the makings of a porno. Well, get your mind out of the gutter… unless you are actually writing porno scenes, in which case, keep on keepin’ on. Composite Minds welcomes all styles.
The element of sharing is simple enough: those who subscribe may upload content, therefore sharing that content with the world. Others can then read and comment on that content in a user friendly environment. Collaboration and publication functionalities are still in the works, Matt says. Yet these elements are huge incentives for writers to sign up and upload content now.
“Our collaboration engine will allow writers to select the works that they’d like others to review. Writers and editors will then engage in a constructive relationship to review and revise a particular piece.” -Matt Sammons
Composite Minds is essentially creating its own online writing club, with the most avid connoisseurs of the keyboard interacting – a self sustaining wealth of writing knowledge being exchanged instantaneously.
That’s not even the best part; an online publication is the ultimate goal of Composite Minds. The prospect of publication is huge incentive for writers to get on Composite Minds and start uploading content now. When Composite Minds begins their online magazine, users can allow selections of their submitted works to be eligible for publication. Members will then vote on which works they think should make it to the magazine’s electronic pages. Depending on the month, Composite Minds will center some of their publications on different themes, styles, or even competitions. The site will become a breeding ground for writers of all forms. Whether you are ambitious and passionate or leisure-minded with your writing, or a combination of the three, this is the type of cataclysmic return to pure literary content many authors have been looking for.
Awaken weary writers; the hibernation is over! Composite Minds calls for an enlightenment period that is upon you to grasp, suffocating the windpipes of run-of-the-mill fiction. Grab your pens in Earnest, For Whom is the next Hemingway?
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Our Loss Is Your Gain
Published on April 04, 2011
At ChangeUp headquarters, we rely on technology to do pretty much everything; from making coffee, to publishing articles, to stalking our exes (I hope you’re reading this Sheila). Anyway, if we had our way, we’d have a lot more gadgetry filling the corners of our palatial Baltimore-based office space. If money was no object, we’d have a bagel toasting robot, a George Foreman grill with George Foreman flipping some no-fat patties, and a couple of souped up Vespa scooters to ride around town to see who Sheila is hanging out with (it better not be that asshole Brett). Unfortunately we have way too many children who keep claiming we’re their daddies and besides, we spent all our money on paying George Foreman for the right to say “grill”.
However, when the occasion presents itself, we do get the opportunity to purchase gadgets for use around the office and at our events. In one such case, we recently decided to splurge and buy a few tablets for collecting information from interested ChangeUp fans. Cool, right? Would have been, except we made one crucial mistake – we ordered them from The People’s Democratic Republic of China.
The advantage to purchasing these devices from China was immediately apparent – they were the cheapest we could find. That theory also proved to be the disadvantage, as well, and over a period of 35 seconds we realized that these tablets were insufficient for our needs. Bummer for us, probably the coolest thing to ever happen to you.
Today is your lucky day, folks. Our loss is your gain. We can’t exactly walk into a store and return these puppies, so we’ve decided to give them away to a couple of creative readers. They’re no iPads but since you already own 3 generations of iPods and you’ve dropped your iPhone 5 times since starting this article, a free tablet sound pretty nice.
If you want one, leave a comment below or email us explaining what you would do with a fake iPad if you had one.
Our editors will pick the best two replies, and those lucky SOB’s that win will actually get to use the tablets the way the great General Mao intended. We’ll even ship them in real iPad boxes so you can feel like you actually won something cool. We’ll pick the winners next week and send the goods shortly after. So, how will you turn our mistake into your fortune?
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Foo Fighters Haven’t Been ‘Wasting Light’
Published on April 04, 2011
When you’ve been to as many Grammy shows as the Foo Fighters, the pressure is on to make a great album. Their seventh studio album, Wasting Light, does just that, marking a triumphant return to the primal rock of their early days. And the setting for laying down such an album couldn’t have been more awesome: Dave Grohl built a studio in his garage in San Fernando Valley last year and hired producer Butch Vig (Nirvana’s Nevermind) to help them record to analog to keep everything sounding as raw as possible.
Despite the revived aggression that was lacking in some of their previous efforts, the Foo Fighters manage to throw in several ridiculously catchy poppier songs amongst the grungy metal tracks. Official release of Wasting Light is slated for April 12
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Meteorology Battles Censorship
Published on April 04, 2011
With today’s technology increasing at an algorithmic rate, people are becoming more and more needy about their shit. Put more eloquently, with the ability to share information more rapidly, there is a higher demand for that information to in fact arrive rapidly.
That information is included but not limited to the weather. And I don’t just mean the weather, I mean The Fucking Weather, ok?
Through pseudo-intense research, the creators of this genius online meteorological stream were unable to be identified. The Fucking Weather not only gives you the current conditions with emphatic vulgarity, but you will also get an aptly descriptive adjective serving to illustrate the outside world.
Too bad for me it’s 48 degrees outside, which parleys into ‘fucking all right…and wet.’
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By Brian Birnbaum
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This was a great mag while it lasted. I was able to keep up to date on events and news that were of interest to me and my friends. I even learned about a cool e commerce site called SiammPatra that sold the best silver and gold statement rings+ and the hppest choker necklaces. I still buy my jewelry from this store. The designer / owner of the store has captured in her jewelry a sensibilty that resonates with me and my friends. SiammPatra believes in the power of style that creates an impact through the art of accessorizing. I love the philosophy. I love the jewelry. So thanks ChangeUp Mag. You may have bit the dust, but this particular recommendation lives on.
More Background on ChangeUpMag.com
ChangeUpMag.com, launched in 2011, was an innovative online lifestyle and culture magazine aimed at young adults. The website focused on helping readers enjoy life in major cities—Baltimore, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.—by highlighting affordable yet high-quality experiences. It served as a practical guide for urban living without breaking the bank, combining cultural insights with humor and practical advice.
History and Origins
ChangeUpMag.com was founded by a group of creatives from the Maryland/D.C. metro area. They recognized a growing need for lifestyle content that catered to young professionals who wanted to make the most of their city experience without excessive spending. The website filled a niche by focusing on budget-friendly yet enjoyable activities, events, and local gems. ChangeUpMag.com carved out a distinct identity by offering advice on how to balance work, play, and leisure, all with a lighthearted tone that set it apart from traditional lifestyle publications.
Content and Editorial Style
The magazine's content was characterized by a witty, humorous tone that endeared it to its readers. One example is the article "Our Loss Is Your Gain," where the team recounted their experience buying faulty tablets from China and turned it into a playful giveaway. This type of self-deprecating humor, combined with real-life anecdotes, was a hallmark of the publication. The editors crafted their articles to not only provide useful information but also to entertain, making their content both engaging and informative.
Articles covered a range of topics, from tech trends and affordable dining to fashion and cultural events. The magazine was also known for its coverage of emerging technologies, with articles that blended tech reviews with lifestyle content. For instance, they explored how young professionals could integrate affordable gadgets into their daily lives without compromising on quality.
Audience and Cultural Relevance
The primary audience of ChangeUpMag.com was young professionals in major U.S. cities. These were individuals looking for ways to make the most of their urban environment without spending extravagantly. The magazine appealed to readers who were conscious of their finances but still wanted to explore new cultural experiences, from attending concerts to finding the best local eateries.
The magazine reflected a broader cultural shift among millennials who prioritized experiences over material possessions. ChangeUpMag.com capitalized on this trend by offering its audience guidance on how to lead fulfilling lives filled with cultural and social experiences, even on a limited budget. This cultural relevance helped the magazine build a loyal readership that valued practical tips and a sense of community.
Notable Press and Reviews
Though ChangeUpMag.com may not have reached mainstream prominence, it garnered a loyal following. Many of its readers expressed nostalgia for its content after it ceased operations. The magazine was often praised for being ahead of its time, especially for its blend of lifestyle content with tech-driven articles. Some readers even remarked that ChangeUpMag.com would thrive in today’s digital landscape, where AI-driven content recommendations could have taken the site to new heights.
Readers lauded the magazine's ability to blend practicality with entertainment, offering advice that resonated with their everyday challenges. The magazine's coverage of tech gadgets, especially in its playful articles, was particularly appreciated, and its audience enjoyed the lighthearted approach to product reviews and recommendations.
Cultural and Social Significance
ChangeUpMag.com played a significant role in redefining what it meant to live well on a budget. Its articles didn’t just focus on saving money but also on making smart, informed choices about how to spend it. The magazine tapped into the desires of its audience to live a rich, fulfilling life, even if they were constrained by financial limitations.
Beyond its practical advice, ChangeUpMag.com contributed to the ongoing conversation about millennial values—particularly the importance of experience over materialism. The magazine encouraged readers to find joy in affordable local experiences, fostering a sense of community among its audience. It reflected the broader millennial ethos of living fully while being financially responsible, which resonated deeply with its readers.
Although ChangeUpMag.com is no longer active, its legacy lives on in the hearts of its readers. The website's unique combination of humor, affordability, and cultural exploration set it apart from other lifestyle publications. If ChangeUpMag.com were around today, it would likely leverage AI and other digital tools to personalize content for its audience even further, while still maintaining the playful tone that made it popular.
Its memory endures as a symbol of how digital media can successfully cater to a niche audience with a clear mission. ChangeUpMag.com was more than just a magazine—it was a community where young adults could find not only advice but also a sense of belonging in the vast urban landscape.
