By Ken Feltman
Two-times Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Anthony Shadid of the New York Times died today in Syria. He was 43 and cannot be replaced.
Anthony Shadid did his job so well that, realistically, no one can replace him. Someone will get the tough assignments that Shadid got. But let’s face it, no one can replace Shadid.
Ninety-two years ago, advertising executive Robley Feland wrote about a man named Brown, who had just died. Possible replacements were being interviewed by his former bosses. Feland concluded:
Don’t they know that Brown’s chair and his desk, with the map under the glass top, and his pay envelope, are not Brown’s job? Don’t they know that they might as well apply to the Methodist Church for John Wesley’s job?
Brown’s former employers know it. Brown’s job is where Brown is.
That is how it is with Anthony Shadid.
You will find Anthony Shadid’s obituary here.
You will find the Feland piece about Brown here.
