The rumor yesterday was that they were. Employees had gotten a heads-up to back up their content because it may not be online forever.

(It’s my toot.)

Were either site still culturally relevant? Both seem about a decade into their decline

Yeah -- you're right, this has been a long time coming. I just think the closures and layoffs these past few months have finally closed the chapter on the style of journalism and tastemaking they built.

but there isn't any cohesive, structured, insightful cultural commentary replacing them- we're in murky waters and people i'm sure people will feel the squeeze of an uncreative culture even more than they are already