You make a great point. Harper's own website acknowledges Lapham's contributions were done to add some breezier reads to the magazine: In 1984, Harper’s Magazi

You make a great point. Harper's own website acknowledges Lapham's contributions were done to add some breezier reads to the magazine: In 1984, Harper’s Magazine was completely redesigned by editor Lewis H. Lapham and MacArthur...Recognizing the time constraints of the modern reader, the revived magazine introduced such original journalistic forms as the Harper’s Index, Readings, and the Annotation to complement its acclaimed fiction, essays, and reporting.