This week Conde Nast announced it was killing Gourmet magazine, leaving my wife and thousands of other foodies feeling betrayed. Many blamed Editor in Chief Ruth Reichel for the failure, but to me the termination of Gourmet–along with Modern Bride, Elegant Bride and Cookie, and following the shuttering of the ultra-rich Portfolio–is one more symbol of the times, and the result of forces far stronger and more pervasive than Ms. Reichel. Just consider these other victims of the times: Saturn, Delphi, Charter Communications, Fleetwood Enterprises, Ritz Camera, Star Tribune Companies, Sun-Times Media Group, Six Flags and above all, General...