The New Criterion

To be filed under the Jodi Kantor watch.

Faithful readers of Armavirumque are aware that we do not hold Jodi Kantor, the Times’s Arts & Leisure editor, in high esteem (and we hold her unpleasant handiwork at arm’s length, with tongs). Our suspicions about her--that she is airheaded, tasteless, inarticulate, inadequate in a sort of general way--have been unwittingly confirmed by this bit of news: Ms. Kantor has been made a Young Global Leader, that is, a member of the World Economic Forum’s special Forum of Young Global Leaders. (Note: That means Jodi might get to go to the hottest party in Davos while she’s at it.)

But isn’t that a good thing? What could be better than an opportunity to join other young men and women in "addressing together the complex challenges of today to shape our world towards a better future"? Wait, I know--not having to read any more of this stuff:

Specifically, the 2020 Initiative will engage Young Global Leaders to:

Use scenario and visioning exercises to understand current and future trends, risks and opportunities both at global and regional levels. This will require challenging existing assumptions, addressing knowledge gaps and mapping interrelationships.

Formulate a shared vision of the world in 2020.

Create task forces on priority issues and develop global and regional strategies, concrete actions and measurable benchmarks to advance towards their vision.

That "specifically" is a marvelous touch, no? This "forum" strikes one as nothing so much as a glorified, adult Student Council: long on resume-padding and self-regard, short on, you know, a convincing reason for existing. (In that second item, just change "the world in 2020" to "Herbert Hoover H.S. Senior Prom 2005" and . . . hey presto.) What might Jodi Kantor’s "global and regional strategy" be? She and Bono are hard at work on the answer.