Instead of treating us to an analysis whose conclusion is foregone from the outset, Noah might have been wiser to expend his quota on a comparison of:

a) Roth's attitude toward Plimpton

b) Wolfe's attitude toward Theodore Bernstein in "You Can't Go Home Again".

Wolfe's depiction of Bernstein's daily morning routine (including his chauffered drive downtown) tells us much about the way in which a raw young NCarolina writer saw a cosmopolitan, polished, wealthy, and successful NY Jew, and vice-versa, much about how Roth sees Plimpton.

But to venture into this territory would take Noah too far afield from the landscape of commonplaces in which he feels most comfortable.

And hence, Slate readers are condemned again to wander in this landscape with him.

Geez - I had forgotten I'd posted this. Glad you enjoyed it - I think it's one of my better posts myself.

A little subtle, though, which is perhaps why yours is the only response it's gotten.

The Fray is now pretty much populated by cousins of the proverbial mule who had to be whacked over the head with a 2x4 just to get his attention.