Of all the people insistently expressing their mental vacuity, none has a better excuse for an empty head than the newspaperman: If he pauses to restock his brain, he invites onrushing headlines to trample him flat.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Newspapermen have a unique excuse for having empty heads because stopping to think allows headlines to overtake them. Their work demands constant reactivity rather than reflection.
- In plain terms
- Journalists cannot pause to think or the news will overtake them.
- What can you take from it?
- The speed of news often prevents deep thinking.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can news be both fast and thoughtful?
- Why do we value speed over depth?
Another view
It assumes all journalists lack mental capacity.
More from Russell Baker
One may speculate whether the contemporary idea of American society in decay is not a false notion which has been created, at least partially, by this old movi…
Permalink to quote #34 You talk a great deal about building a better world for your children, but when you are young you can no more envision a world inherited by your children than …
Permalink to quote #36 All politicians are humble, and seldom let you forget it. They go around the country boasting about their humility. They are proud of their humility. Many are …
Permalink to quote #33
Related quotes
Europe has a press that stresses opinions; America a press, radio, and television that emphasize news.
James RestonJames Reston quote #1 There are a lot of people who think our job is to reassure the public every night that their home, their community and their nation is safe. I don't subscribe …
Peter JenningsPeter Jennings quote #2 You gotta see English crime. It's hilarious, you don't know if you're reading the front page or the comic section over there. I swear to God. I read an article…
Bill HicksBill Hicks quote #2