Professional

I'm Known For...

Making magazines better than they were before I got there.

My Current Project

StoryRiver Media, Inc.

My Greatest Achievement

Not completely screwing up as father to Allison, Nick, Will and Lilly Gaines

My Biggest Regret

Not being better at the above.

I Truly Respect

Nelson Mandela

Moments I'd Like To Forget

I'd just as soon they stay forgotten.

How I Pay For This Wardrobe

What wardrobe?

Blocks I've Been Around

Writing. Publishing. Flying. Eighteenth-century history. Golf. Bach.

Things That Really Happened

Interviewed Nelson Mandela.

Where I'd Like To Be 10 Years From Now

Running a digital _______ [insert new word for "magazine"], but I hope it won't take ten years

Why True/Slant

It's a hopeful experiment and a good future to imagine for journalists and journalism.

My Other Website

www.jamesrgaines.com

Personal

What I'm Currently Addicted To...

Twitter. Less an addiction than a necessity.

This Is Annoying Me...

Digital Jacobins who think freedom means free.

This Is Making Me Worry...

Prevalence of denial and blindness among old colleagues in publishing.

This Is Bringing Me Joy...

Seeing my kids become wonderful adults. Working with amazingly talented and creative people not a lot older than my kids.

I'm Running From...

People who think the world is flat.

This Is Helping Me Create...

Seeing what is possible for story-telling now, the possibilities of publishing without the costs and other burdens of paper, ink and distribution.

This Is Making Me Think - Hard...

Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Lou Dobbs, Keith Olbermann and other prominent examples of divisive civic discourse. Got to keep reminding myself that it's nothing new, but it feels different

This Makes My Teeth Itch

See above.

Can't Do Without

Bach. Best possible antidote to all bad things.

Favorite Voices

At the moment, Sara Tavares

My Most Awkward Moment

As a young writer at Newsweek, I had just emerged from the men's room having failed to dry my hands completely. The men's room there was right next to the elevator bank. Donny Graham, who was standing with his mother, saw me come out and introduced us. We shook hands.

My Secret Ambition

Cocktail pianist.