With "Innovation" Like This, No Wonder Political Reporting Is So Stupid

Recently, I wrote about the staggering stupidity of the national political press corps. Eric Alterman provides another example, the LA Times "chief innovation officer" (italics mine):

Take the example of the Tribune Company's new owner, Sam Zell. Leaving aside his penchant for potty-mouth rejoinders for those who question his judgment, Zell has done nothing to slow the slide in the company's fortunes and much to accelerate it. Scrambling like mad for cash to service the company's debt, Zell sold off the profitable Newsday and borrowed $300 million against future earnings, a clear sign of panic. To advise him on long-term strategy, he has appointed as "chief innovation officer" Lee Abrams, a man who was apparently surprised to learn that reports datelined "Baghdad" are actually produced by reporters in Baghdad. His suggestion: "photos of the reporter with Iraqi kids" to advertise this fact.

Writing on his blog, Abrams mused that newspapers were "TOO NPR," (caps in original), which he found "a bit elitist." He would rather have newspapers "study the feel of a well honed All News Radio station," which he defines as "being INTELLIGENT... not intellectual."

My problem with NPR is that it's often boring, although not as boring as news radio, which repeats the same story over and over and over and over.... But regarding Lee Abrams, if this is the big brain you bring in, it does explain how the Gang of 500 Mediocrities is viewed as intelligent.

In the land of the complete fucking moron, Adam Nagourney is king.