Here at ETP, we love user-generated content just as much as anyone else, so today we're posting some. Earlier this week new ETP contributor Glynnis MacNicol posted her early Valentine's Day thoughts on Andrew Sullivan, and we posted back-to-back versions of the old and new illustrations from his peripatetic "Daily Dish" blog, one from former host Time and the other from new home the Atlantic. While most of the commenters were more concerned with going apoplectic over how much they hate Andrew Sullivan, one eagle-eyed reader, "MBouffant," was looking at the differences between old drawing and new, and wondering, exactly, what they meant:
Noticed the drawing was mighty similar at Time & The Atlantic, hope Terry Colon didn't get full price for the new one, but let's examine the two carefully: 1) White tee-shirt not part of dress code at The Atlantic; 2) Books not used at Atlantic, but you do get a 'phone; 3) Time: wooden desk, Atlantic; steel desk; 4) Atlantic provides googly eyed staffer/intern (to replace no longer googly eyed dog at Time?); 5) Dog at Atlantic needs second I. D. tag (and both dogs' noses grew larger);6) No drinking at your desk at The Atlantic, and no personal pictures on your wall; 7) Atlantic office closer to Capitol Building, and window is bigger, so the desk lamp is no longer needed; 8) Carpets look very similar, but the Atlantic's may have fleas, as Rover on the left is scratching, and Fido on the right is sleeping with one eye open.Now I've no idea what (if anything) any of this means, but it may provide some food for thought (besides the obvious one that I have a bit too much time on my hands, and perhaps not enough anything on my mind).
By: MBouffant on February 08, 2007 at 08:14pm
Not much gets by you, does it, MBouffant? You forgot to mention, though, that Sullivan got a computer update, and that evidently the Atlantic is a bit stuffier than Time because Sullivan's sleeves aren't rolled up (or maybe he's just not working as hard). Really, at the Atlantic he just doesn't look as busy; no books, no clutter, no notes on his bulletin board (could those papers scream "fire safety evacuation rules and random memo" any more). But, his arms are working harder; his chair has no armrests. Did we miss anything else? And, more to the point, what does it all mean? If you care, or even if you don't, let us know. Mysteries are fun!
Update: Awesome observation by commenter chrisb at Gawker: "Surprised no one has mentioned the most obvious difference: he's facing left in one pic and facing right in the other. Sully loves a good flip-flop."
