Missing the Rebellion
I just received an excellent issue of Inc. magazine. In contrast, I've been carrying Fast Company around for days, trying to get myself to read it. Inc. does a wonderful job of celebrating the individuality of entrepreneurs. No two are alike, and no two get the job done in quite the same way. And that's wonderful--a million paths to success.
When Fast Company was at its peak (first couple of years), the magazine was about rebellion. Rejecting the bad stuff--bad ideas or bad management--was not enough. Rebellion is about rejecting the good stuff, the stuff you're supposed to accept--the stuff that's supposed to be good for you.
It was almost as if Webber and Taylor (FC founders) got 'over it'. They gained acceptance, the magazine took off, page count exploded, and then they lost their way. No editor or publisher since then has figured it out. There's not much they can afford not to accept these days.
Except China in Africa. Although I'm having to drag myself through the story, China's path in Africa ought to be questioned, so I do think publishing the article is a step in the right direction. So why isn't it any fun? It's not even exciting. It feels like medicine.
Although it's well written, I do think the editors let it go on too long. It's hard to feel outrage in a sea of numbers. There are plenty of little stories buried in the text, and I think these should probably be played up more. Being dispassionate just doesn't help.
Let's throw the baby out with the bath water.
