When I first saw the above video four months ago, I thought it was hysterical (as most things about The Daily Show are), a witty commentary on the plight of what was once considered the gold standard in reporting.  Today I find it an affront to one of our nation’s—nay, our planet’s—most esteemed journalistic institutions, a misguided and mean-spirited jab that is neither amusing nor even remotely intelligent.

Why the sudden grind of gears?  Unabashed self-interest, of course, as the first volume of The Surrogates has been a New York Times best-seller for two weeks running.  Currently occupying the 6^th spot on the paperback graphic novel list, there’s no way to know how long it will hold ground before retreating to number 11.  (On any given week, how many writers are utterly convinced that their book fills that ignominious slot?)  No matter how fleeting, though, there’s no denying that for the rest of my days I will be “New York Times Best-selling Author Robert Venditti.”

The bell I hear ringing, the bell that will ring for eternity, is not the low toll that announces the passage of time, but the cheery, high-pitched ding! every time my rank on The List is put to promotional use.