My son asked me the other day, with a certain challenge in his voice, why I had the blog of James Fallows linked on this blog. My son and I share the same generally conservative politics. So, he is, understandably, a bit puzzled to find Fallows’ blog listed as something worth checking out.
That’s a great question. So, what’s my answer?
1) He is a good writer. I learn from good essay writers, and am challenged by them. Obviously blog posts are not classic essays, but they still reveal a certain compositional skill which I not only enjoy, but learn from.
2) He has diverse interests which overlap mine, and which stretch me. In addition to politics, he often posts about computers, language, China, productivity, and a host of other things. This is what I want my own blog to reflect – the diverse interests of its author.
3) He takes a different political spin from most of those I am around. Though I differ, I am challenged by his thought, which is always well reasoned and carefully phrased.
4) He does not hesitate to praise those he criticizes when praise is due.
5) And he often says some things that just make sense. Like this.
He writes a blog the way it should be written… conversationally, sometimes passionately, always very personably.
I’m not saying any of the rest of you should read him. But I find it worthwhile.
That’s why, Matthew. Thanks for asking.