I haven't read Wired in years, in fact I heard they were losing so much money they had to shut down. Perhaps they are different now, but back then they were interested in being the "cool" technology magazine. All style over substance.
I am not surprised they would be interested in talking to Ted. They had the same sort of "oh no, technology is ruining the planet" type of mentality as he. They probably want to hire him as a consultant.
I thought they were pretty lame back then. Sounds like they haven't changed much.
That was the point I think the author was trying to make.