Wow, even Maureen Dowd gets petty. Times reporters vie for most-emailed article status. (fourth item).

Having a hard time concentrating on your writing? Our sis GalleyCat finds a way for you to focus thanks to Po Bronson.

Daniel Walsh says that the unflattering comparisons between the late Hunter S. Thompson and the young writers today are unfair, because, if we know anything, if we're lame, it's the old people's fault, not ours. (Via Romenesko. "Leave the Young Whippersnappers Alone", fifth item.)

At least they're up front about it this time. The government wants to pay journalists to participate in a simulated terrorist-attack exercise. Nightmares included free.