New Executive Editor At New York Times Loves Her New Job, But May Have Mythed The Point

Over at The New York Times, there is a changing of the guard as New York Times names Jill Abramson as first female executive editor

And Abramson really, really loves The New York Times:

Abramson, a former New York Times Washington bureau chief and investigative reporter who has been managing editor since 2003, said being appointed editor of the title was like "ascending to Valhalla".

"In my house growing up, The Times substituted for religion. If The Times said it, it was the absolute truth," she added.

Hopefully Abramson realizes that "absolute truth" is hard to come by--even for The New York Times.

But I was stuck by her comparison of becoming executive editor to "ascending to Valhalla"


Ascending to Valhalla?
How many people use "Valhalla" as a metaphor like that?

According to Wikipedia, Valhalla is "a hall in which heroes killed in battle were believed to feast with Odin for eternity."

Sounds like a Muslim version of heaven--without the 72 virgins, but you do get all the food you can eat.

But if Abramson really is fond of Norse mythology, I think she would be better served thinking about the here and now and keeping in mind the following Norse myth:

The Wisdom god, Woden, went out to the king of trolls…and demanded to know how order might triumph over chaos. 

“Give me your left eye,” said the king of trolls, “and I’ll tell you.” 

Without hesitation, Woden gave up his left eye. 

“Now tell me.” 

The troll said, “The secret is, Watch with both eyes!”

Let's hope that as executive editor, Jill Abramson remembers to keep both eyes open--it will not guarantee "absolute truth," but it will keep the New York Times honest.

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