This is really interesting – fascinating.
Be more efficient. That’s the cry. And there is no one more efficient than Jeff Bezos. Amazon is a Super Bowl Dynasty Level efficiency machine.
But, now, he owns a newspaper. And, basically, efficiency is the enemy of thoughtful pondering. And thoughtful pondering may be the key ingredient for good journalism. That, and taking a while, letting things percolate… In other words, “efficiency” is great for some things, but maybe not so great for other things. Like pondering…
That’s part of the message I got from this: Jeff Bezos and his journalists by Felix Salmon. (linked to by James Fallows. A suggestion — whoever else you read, be sure to check in on Fallows regularly).
Here’s part of what Mr. Salmon wrote, regarding the “slow percolating” of a great newspaper:
Greatness emerges mysteriously from the slack in the system, from source lunches and newsroom cross-pollination and expensive editorial whims. It emerges, ultimately, from the ability to give people time and space and money, in the certain knowledge that most of that time and space and money will end up being wasted, and embracing that waste as a good and ultimately necessary thing.
Mr. Salmon reflects that we may not have much of a viable business model left to enable such slow “slack in the system” percolating greatness — at least, in the newspaper/journalism arena. And he may be right.
Bu, a personal comment. I’ve had no appointments today. No speaking engagements. Not one. (This is rare for me). It is just past 3:30 in the afternoon. I have read, thought, written, edited, pondered… it feels like a really good day. Have I produced anything? — As a matter of fact, I have. But it’s felt more human – maybe less efficient, but more human.
For the record, the schedule returns to full tomorrow. Not much time for percolating and pondering…
First Friday Book Synopsis 