Every anthology must have an editor who sifts through a lot of material to decide what should be included and what should not. While it's attractive to think of compiling one's own idiosyncratic anthology, I doubt that most people have the time or inclination to scour the blogosphere and other resources in search of those occasional jewels.

Possibly the new “editor” is the aggregator. But regardless of what you call the media gatekeeper, its function is essential even for those who may want to compile their own literary smörgsbord.

Every anthology must have an editor who sifts through a lot of material to decide what should be included and what should not. While it's attractive to think of compiling one's own idiosyncratic anthology, I doubt that most people have the time or inclination to scour the blogosphere and other resources in search of those occasional jewels.

Possibly the new “editor” is the aggregator. But regardless of what you call the media gatekeeper, its function is essential even for those who may want to compile their own literary smörgsbord.