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Editor's Note - April 2005

I recently—finally—watched Citizen Kane. (Odd, I know, considering that its mnemonic proximity to Citizen Culture helped us coin the magazine's name.) In case anyone else is as ignorant as I was about what has been called Orson Welles's greatest and most controversial film, it is “allegedly” inspired by the life, times, and temper of William Randolph Hearst.

“W.R.” was 23 years old—the same age as I am now—when he began building the Hearst Corporation, one of the most prolific publishing companies in the world. To say he was opinionated in his efforts would be a gross understatement: Hearst and his magazines, newspapers, films, and architectural grandiosity were synonymous. They were his soapbox and comprised his political platform. Even the “news” his paper reported reflected his world-views, and when no self-supportive stories could be found, he famously fabricated them—“yellow journalism,” it was called.

Using The Chief, David Nasaw's comprehensive biography, I delved further into the mind of a marketing genius who could barely edit his own correspondences—Hearst was an extraordinary publisher, but hardly an effective editor—and found footsteps that I'd need much hubris to follow.

Though I continue to admire, and strive to emulate, his self-promotional savvy for our magazine, I refuse to allow Citizen Culture Magazine to become an extension of anyone. It is, and will remain, a compilation of the interests and concerns of the young professionals—both men and women, with a variety of ages, Young Intellectuals all—who submit their works for publication or coverage. This opinion, therefore, is mine alone, and does not necessarily reflect those of the magazine's founders, staff, or even its readers.

We intended for this issue to focus on travel, leisure, and fashion; thus we told our readers, writers, and advertisers. But when the editorial process began, I was surprised to discover the infinite variety of content we received. I knew our contributors to have many pastimes, but I didn't realize that so many talented Young Intellectuals would write about them! Picking the most quirky and profound—the best of the undiscovered best—was so challenging that we broadened the issue's theme to what it is now: The Notables Issue.

There were moments, I'll confess, when I felt consigned to toss my hands in the air and yell, “Make up your minds!” But then I realized that we don't have to: citizens have culture, and should feel as free as we do to explore it to our hearts' content, change our minds, and enjoy our fleeting moments. Life's our party—we'll be dilettantes if we want to.

Governments shouldn't have that luxury.

A few weeks ago I sat with Irfan (the magazine's Publisher) and our mutual friend—the son of one of Pakistan's food ministers—and we debated while I drank. We lamented the ambiguity of Kashmir (where Irfan was born), that disputed region neither India nor Pakistan seems inclined to secede or secure and develop. We noted the same pattern in Chechnya—and so have taken it upon ourselves to explore both regions through first-hand accounts, beginning on the next page and again on page 82. We discussed Israel and the prenatal state called Palestine, which hungers for the Holy Grail of sovereignty though its independent infrastructure is meager and inept. And we inquired among ourselves whether the United States is at war in the world: sure seems like it, but we—like so many friends and families around the world—expected to see everyone home long ago.

Governments sink or sail with the ballast of their integrity and conviction. They should make up their minds. Their citizens, by stark contrast, deserve the freedom to be fickle, if only because variety makes for a more interesting read.

Admiringly yours,

Jonathon Scott Feit,
Editor-in-Chief
on behalf of Citizen Culture