Eric Gelber, the news editor of artcritical.com, an online art magazine, is also a blogging cartoonist at EAGEAGEAG, where he recently responded graphically to my report on how Sam Sifton, cultural news editor of the NY Times, rides herd over the nags and throughbreds in his stable of writers:
Actually, Eric’s graphic was a little too graphic. I always strive to comport myself according to the NY Times‘ well-bred blogging standards, which were reduced to writing only last month (finally!) by assistant managing editor Craig Whitney. (Maybe HE could have modeled the Whitney’s tee shirt.) Conforming to Times style, I tastefully cropped Eric’s art (with his permission) to remove any trace of “obscenity and vulgarity.”
I’m going to have to be more vigilant, though, about making sure that I don’t include in my blog “something [that] could easily fit in a satirical Web site for young adults,” which the Times, in its infinite wisdom, regards as beneath its dignity. The Gray Lady and CultureGrrl know that the proper target-audiences for our blogs should be the middle-aged and elderly. Who needs those satirical young adults, anyway?
If you’re below 40 and you really insist on seeing the unexpurgated version of Eric’s Sifton satire, you’ll just have to go here.
There’s no harm in sugar-cube rewards for bloggers or critics. (Speaking of which, many thanks to the latest CultureGrrl benefactor, from Washington, D.C., who sweetened my Sunday by hitting my “Donate” button!)
But wait! What’s that attached to Sam’s boot?
Giddy-up, Cotter!
