How did editors become the enemy?

Daniel Okrent, the new New York Times watchdog:

My copy will not be edited, except for grammar, spelling, and the like.

I’ve seen the Times’ copy editing test. You have to be really, really good to ace it. Then you have to suffer through a weeklong tryout, then maybe you’ll get hired, and for the privilege you’ll work the worst hours possible at wages that won’t pay half the rent on that “Friends” pad in the Village you’ve always dreamed of.

The notion of telling Times editors who’ve suffered all these indignities to just spellcheck it, slap a head on and send it along infuriates me. I’m also irked by the implication that editing will corrupt Okrent’s copy.

Thing is, Okrent isn’t necessarily trashing the editing profession. He’s trying to be referee with readers on one team, and the Times on the other. Letting Times editors massage his copy would tip the balance into the Times’ favor, the logic goes.

I can see the point, but I can also see that Okrent needs somebody to point out the implications of saying stuff like “my copy will not be edited.” Editors have jobs because writers can’t think of everything.

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