Point Blank with The Economist's Executive Editor
Wednesday, 27 February 2008 19:00
5 Comments
Daniel Franklin is The Economist's Executive Editor and the Editor-in-Chief of economist.com. He completes quarter of a century in the organisation this year! He wouldn't be too happy if I say that modesty is his middle name, because he is a man who despises tired metaphors and insipid language. This podcast is a lesson in humility as much as it is on 'What makes the Economist have a cult following?'
'We'd rather be bold than bland' is what he says about the opinionated culture at The Economist. When asked about the secret behind the British sense of humor that binds all the authors, he crisply retorts, "The world is a serious enough place and we all can do with some laughs from time to time and some healthy skepticism."
In this candid talk, he shares some behind the scenes action from The Economist where all the writers gather in the Editor's office and argue vigorously over stories that would make it to the forthcoming issue. The episode climaxes nicely with his witty replies in the 'rapid fire' round. (Image source: The Economist).
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Comments
0
#1
2008-02-28 09:20
damn.. you got the big boss of economist!! I have a question for him. I hope he reads my comment and a reply would be awesome.
Economist is considered an elitist magazine (i.e. not for an average reader). Is there a conscious effort to be that way?
Hoping for a reply!
Economist is considered an elitist magazine (i.e. not for an average reader). Is there a conscious effort to be that way?
Hoping for a reply!
0
#2
2008-03-02 14:22
Hi...
First of all congrats... according to me this one is as big as it gets for Point-blank series... nice job Abhi... you were smooth and coherent. hope you celebrate this achievement.
As for Economist, from the small window of my understanding I have always admired their work. From stories to headlines to illustrations, they set standards and they stick to them. As a reader you see a lot of respect from the writers, as they never assume things and are always certain of what they are trying to get across.
I think people who work at Economist, for them work is not just a profession but a way of life itself. And I have seen this common thread running thru all the people who you have interviewed from Economist. And I am sure Daniel agrees.
Thanks for the fabulous work... and thanks Daniel, incase you reading this.
First of all congrats... according to me this one is as big as it gets for Point-blank series... nice job Abhi... you were smooth and coherent. hope you celebrate this achievement.
As for Economist, from the small window of my understanding I have always admired their work. From stories to headlines to illustrations, they set standards and they stick to them. As a reader you see a lot of respect from the writers, as they never assume things and are always certain of what they are trying to get across.
I think people who work at Economist, for them work is not just a profession but a way of life itself. And I have seen this common thread running thru all the people who you have interviewed from Economist. And I am sure Daniel agrees.
Thanks for the fabulous work... and thanks Daniel, incase you reading this.
0
#3
2008-03-03 22:15
An excellent podcast as always, Abhishek. I would have sneaked in a question about The Economist\'s supposedly anti-India bias.
0
#4
2008-03-04 02:14
It\'s true that The Economist is sometimes thought of as elitist, but that isn\'t our aim. Rather, we try to be as accessible as possible to anyone who has an intelligent curiosity about developments in the world. There are millions of such people, and it is this growing audience we want to reach. That\'s why, for example, we make the newspaper (as we call it) freely available to all online.
With best regards
Daniel
With best regards
Daniel
0
#5
2008-03-04 05:53
Hey Alok,
Thanks for the kind words, but, I guess Daniel made it easy for me by sprinkling his witticisms from time to time.
It\'ll be nice to hear from Daniel himself about your observations on the authors of the newspaper and how they approach their \"work\".
According to me, The Economist is no less a cult brand than Apple or Harley Davidson. Sometimes, like Pradeep says, one may perceive it to be an elitist magazine, but, I would say that it has a very niche audience and a dedicated following. Of course, we would not agree with all that The Economist opines, but, at least no one can accuse them of not having an opinion!
Thanks again!
Thanks for the kind words, but, I guess Daniel made it easy for me by sprinkling his witticisms from time to time.
It\'ll be nice to hear from Daniel himself about your observations on the authors of the newspaper and how they approach their \"work\".
According to me, The Economist is no less a cult brand than Apple or Harley Davidson. Sometimes, like Pradeep says, one may perceive it to be an elitist magazine, but, I would say that it has a very niche audience and a dedicated following. Of course, we would not agree with all that The Economist opines, but, at least no one can accuse them of not having an opinion!
Thanks again!
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