“The case against thought leaders, The Ideas Industry shows, is damning. As Drezner notes, some of the marquee names in thought leadership are distinguished by their facile thinking and transparent servility to the wealthy. The biggest idea in Thomas Friedman’s best-known book, The World Is Flat, is, Drezner summarizes, that “to thrive in the global economy, one needs to be ‘special,’ a unique brand like Michael Jordan.” It is more of a marketing principle than a philosophical insight. But “businessmen adore Friedman’s writings on how technology and globalization transform the global economy,” Drezner explains, because his message reinforces their worldview.”

Interesting points here - can't really decide if this is an astute analysis or party a kind of jealousy ... or both ?

The Rise of the Thought Leader
https://newrepublic.com/article/143004/rise-thought-leader-how-superrich-funded-new-class-intellectual
via Instapaper