What was your first job as a journalist?
As an economic researcher
Have you ever used a typewriter?
yes of course
How is social media changing news?
It's bringing in voices that were never heard before
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Salman Rushdie, Haruki Murakami, Paul Theroux, Shakespeare!
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To make sense of everyday events, big and small, and share them in a way people will read or listen, or feel
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
in person, or by phone
Who do you wish followed you?
Anybody who likes to absorb knowledge, who's curious about the world and people, who listens well, who is thoughtful, critical, yet tolerant
Why did you become a journalist?
Still wondering about that. But it was a calling
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Tell it like it is. Think about substance more than language. Be curious, be vivid, don't be afraid to ask "stupid" questions. Be honest
What's your favorite drink?
Scotch)
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The New Yorker, The Guardian, The Straits Times, The Lancet, Caravan, Naked Capitalism (Blog)
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That it's beyond the average reader's understanding
