September 22, 2003
Charming
You have to hand it to the Economist for having a sense of humor. Of all the magazines, broadsheets and websites that I read and visit on a regular basis, the Economist is the only one that consistently makes me laugh. I see two reasons for this. First, most journalists and editors take themselves far too seriously to allow themselves the right and privilege to make a joke. And second, Americans don't have the well developed sense of irony that the British do. Yes, the popular press here is filled with references to irony but on analysis much what is claimed to be ironic isn't. And I'm not referring to the cheap sarcasm that permeates the airwaves. I think I'm channeling Dave Eggers when I say that tragedy nor coincidence are ironic.When I opened my mail this week, I laughed out loud when I saw this weeks Economist cover. Some might say it takes courage to put a picture of the finger on the front cover. I don't think so. It takes insight and a great sense of humor to be able to see the debate about first world farm subsidies and the subsequent walk-out by the developing countries for what it was. Furthmore, it ably highlights the farce behind the first world's untenable position. Bravo!
Now as covers go, it is still bested by the one from last year with the copy, "George Bush and the Axis of Evil." Oh, what a cover that was! To have George Bush deconstructed into a diminutive boy with fanciful policies was brilliant. I still chuckle when I am reminded of that one.
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