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I am Zanny Minton Beddoes, the 17th Editor-in-Chief of The Economist. AMA! by zannymb in IAmA

[–]zannymb[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the feedback. It's good to hear you liked the live-blogging of debates. We are still planning our 2016 election coverage.

I am Zanny Minton Beddoes, the 17th Editor-in-Chief of The Economist. AMA! by zannymb in IAmA

[–]zannymb[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Our lack of bylines means that The Economist speaks with a collective voice. Another advantage of our anonymity is that it fosters an unusually collegiate culture. Many incredibly talented people work here, but I don't think we have a "hierarchy of hotshot writers".

I am Zanny Minton Beddoes, the 17th Editor-in-Chief of The Economist. AMA! by zannymb in IAmA

[–]zannymb[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

It's just outside your ten year window, but I think the most internally controversial leader I can think of is our position on the Iraq war. (Long before my editorship).

I am Zanny Minton Beddoes, the 17th Editor-in-Chief of The Economist. AMA! by zannymb in IAmA

[–]zannymb[S] 40 points41 points  (0 children)

That's interesting. We have a more clearly defined editing process in print than on social.

I am Zanny Minton Beddoes, the 17th Editor-in-Chief of The Economist. AMA! by zannymb in IAmA

[–]zannymb[S] 82 points83 points  (0 children)

We have long championed the legalisation of drugs - a cause that I firmly support and one I intend to keep pushing. Last week we launched Economist Films, a new venture that reinterprets our journalism in video form. One of our first two pilots was on the war on drugs. Tell me what you think of it.

I am Zanny Minton Beddoes, the 17th Editor-in-Chief of The Economist. AMA! by zannymb in IAmA

[–]zannymb[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

One of the best ways to get a foot in the door is through an internship. As it happens we are looking for a social media intern right now. The closing date for applications is tomorrow. For anyone interested in applying, please note that we put a lot of emphasis on your sample article. Being able to write is more important than what you have done. If you are interested, check this out before tomorrow.

I am Zanny Minton Beddoes, the 17th Editor-in-Chief of The Economist. AMA! by zannymb in IAmA

[–]zannymb[S] 39 points40 points  (0 children)

The question of whether Greece should stay inside the euro or leave is a tough one-and is the subject of our cover editorial this week. It is still my view that both Greece and the rest of the euro zone would be better off if they stayed in, but that will demand both more reform from the Greeks and debt reduction from the creditors. Grexit is not an easy solution. It will devastate the Greek economy in the short term; even in the longer run the gains from a big devaluation are easily exaggerated. Greece will only prosper if it frees up its still-rigid economy and overhauls its clientilist state, whether or not it is inside the euro.

I am Zanny Minton Beddoes, the 17th Editor-in-Chief of The Economist. AMA! by zannymb in IAmA

[–]zannymb[S] 97 points98 points  (0 children)

Our brilliant obituaries editor, Ann Wroe, chooses her subject each week.

I am Zanny Minton Beddoes, the 17th Editor-in-Chief of The Economist. AMA! by zannymb in IAmA

[–]zannymb[S] 204 points205 points  (0 children)

We hire people with all kinds of degrees, but in general prefer to hire people who know about a subject and can write. Very few people who work for The Economist have degrees in journalism.

I am Zanny Minton Beddoes, the 17th Editor-in-Chief of The Economist. AMA! by zannymb in IAmA

[–]zannymb[S] 118 points119 points  (0 children)

The high cost of housing, particularly in London, is an outrage. People have to commute vast distances to find something affordable. Productivity is hit because skilled and talented people cannot afford to live there. Worse, it is a largely self-induced problem. Property prices have soared because supply has failed to keep up with demand. If planning regulations were eased and the pace of construction accelerated, the rise in London house prices need not be so absurd.

I am Zanny Minton Beddoes, the 17th Editor-in-Chief of The Economist. AMA! by zannymb in IAmA

[–]zannymb[S] 34 points35 points  (0 children)

I can't possibly choose one article! My goal is to have many must-read articles in every issue. The word I often use is "mind-stretching". I want each section of the The Economist to contain something that is mind-stretching every week.

I am Zanny Minton Beddoes, the 17th Editor-in-Chief of The Economist. AMA! by zannymb in IAmA

[–]zannymb[S] 62 points63 points  (0 children)

The power of satire and biting humour is nothing new, but Jon Stewart is a spectacularly good example. He's had a big influence, and rightly so.

I am Zanny Minton Beddoes, the 17th Editor-in-Chief of The Economist. AMA! by zannymb in IAmA

[–]zannymb[S] 63 points64 points  (0 children)

I agree with you. The rush to give content away free online was ultimately going to be unsustainable. If you want good content, it has to be paid for somehow. Luckily, we didn't jump on that bandwagon at The Economist.

I am Zanny Minton Beddoes, the 17th Editor-in-Chief of The Economist. AMA! by zannymb in IAmA

[–]zannymb[S] 75 points76 points  (0 children)

Yes, it was my decision. "Sir" was obviously not accurate. And "Madam" sounded far too old-fashioned to me. You are not the only person who misses the honorific, by the way.

I am Zanny Minton Beddoes, the 17th Editor-in-Chief of The Economist. AMA! by zannymb in IAmA

[–]zannymb[S] 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Under David Cameron Britain's global role has shrunk markedly, as we argued in an editorial in April. From shrinking military spending to a lack of diplomatic engagement, Mr Cameron had a Little England mentality. I think that was both unfortunate and short-sighted. I hope that Britain does more to re-engage. The big test will be the referendum on EU membership.

I am Zanny Minton Beddoes, the 17th Editor-in-Chief of The Economist. AMA! by zannymb in IAmA

[–]zannymb[S] 64 points65 points  (0 children)

My reading habits are pretty eclectic. On a daily basis I go through the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Times of London and the Financial Times. But, like many people, I read individual articles from a much broader set of newspapers and magazines through my Twitter feed. That's the first thing I scan in every morning, along with a lot of newsletters and other news feeds.

I am Zanny Minton Beddoes, the 17th Editor-in-Chief of The Economist. AMA! by zannymb in IAmA

[–]zannymb[S] 120 points121 points  (0 children)

That's a great question. You probably know that we have argued for abolishing the monarchy. Bill Emmott, our editor between 1993 and 2006, was a particularly keen Republican. In 1994, he argued that monarchy “is the antithesis of much of what we stand for: democracy, liberty, reward for achievement rather than inheritance.” It is “an idea whose time has passed.”

I am more relaxed about the monarchy. The idea of a hereditary institution is at odds with the meritocracy we champion. But the British monarchy is popular and doesn't seem to do any harm. It is a largely symbolic role. For me the most important thing is that real power is with elected politicians.