This will be the worst column you will have ever read.

It will be full of appeals to authority, question-begging and blunt assertions. (Non sequitur!)

Think you can do better? Apply to Central Michigan Life.

I am looking for columnists to write weekly pieces for CM Life’s Voices page.

In particular, I am seeking individuals with expertise in politics, economics and technology. I want people who can write knowledgeably and accessibly about Obama’s cabinet, the financial crisis and net neutrality, among other pressing topics of the day.

If you feel you have something worthwhile to say, feel free to apply – even if you would like to write about something other than the three topics I mentioned. If you pitch an idea for a column and I like it, we’ll run it.

No prior experience is necessary. The only requirement is a firm grasp on the English language and logic.

Most important is what I am NOT looking for. I am not seeking an ideologue who’s capable of repeating – with dramatic flourish – some ‘hot-button’ catchphrase that stirs up people’s emotions but does absolutely nothing in terms of advancing discussion.

Columnists are required to have a well-reasoned position of their own. But they also are required to take seriously reasonable objections to their views. It’s remarkably easy to make a caricature of an opponent’s perspective (see: many commentators on cable news), but it requires skill, and some intellectual integrity, to debunk an objection in its strongest form. That is the skill I want to see.

Informed commentary has a valuable place in newspapers. A strong columnist can help readers make sense of current affairs. He or she can shed some insight on the latest development in a scandal, an investigation or a piece of legislation.

Ideally, I would like this Voices page to reflect a myriad of opinions from a slew of perspectives. I would like to have a rotation of 10 or so columnists, covering a broad range of issues, from religion to economics to politics.

And for that, I need writers. I need perspectives other than my own. By no means am I capable of thinking through every possible objection to every possible perspective. No one is.

If interested in applying, e-mail voices@cm-life.com. I would be happy to chat about the details of the position.

Oh, and yes, you do get paid.

voices@cm-life.com

E-mail the author: Brian McLean