Your piece illuminates the fragile architecture of authority—how cultural legitimacy is never simply inherited or distributed, but constructed, deconstructed, and reimagined over time. The decline of the critic-as-gatekeeper is not just a media shift; it’s a structural reshuffling of how we produce and receive value, especially in literature.
It is interesting to think about how much we're influenced by our environment, and I do think that attempting, as best you can, to cultivate that environment is worthwhile. But it will, in the end, be mostly accidental and out of your control. Thank you for the comment, Kim.
Yes, absolutely. I don't mind having an ever-growing, endless pile of books to read, with some waiting years before I get to them, because they seem to call out to me at the right time.
There was never a time when trust wasn't important, although I do think the value of trust is even higher today. I think without explicitly naming it as a desired trait—it is one that readers look for today. Thank you for the comment, Paul.
These are all good points. I especially like that you describe wanting reviewers who are 'useful', as that implies something different than agreement. Often the critics that I learn the most from are those who I disagree with but who have clear and reasoned perspectives. Thank you for the comment, John.
If you are referring to 'On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous', I have not read it, but thank you for mentioning it. Eloquent prose is a good recommendation for me.
Oh, damn, that last sentence. So true.
Thank you for the comment, Sherman.
Your piece illuminates the fragile architecture of authority—how cultural legitimacy is never simply inherited or distributed, but constructed, deconstructed, and reimagined over time. The decline of the critic-as-gatekeeper is not just a media shift; it’s a structural reshuffling of how we produce and receive value, especially in literature.
Thank you for the comment and for adding your thoughts.
As mentioned before, and I have to repeat it, your last sentence was perfect.
That last sentence is oh so choice, pith and power..
Thank you, Trilety.
So we should find our next book to read by osmosis?
It is interesting to think about how much we're influenced by our environment, and I do think that attempting, as best you can, to cultivate that environment is worthwhile. But it will, in the end, be mostly accidental and out of your control. Thank you for the comment, Kim.
I’ve found that to be very true. When you open your heart, the books you need to read show up out of the blue and knock your socks off.
Yes, absolutely. I don't mind having an ever-growing, endless pile of books to read, with some waiting years before I get to them, because they seem to call out to me at the right time.
So, it is the BOOKS that speak! That actually makes perfect sense to me.
Perhaps, if you are absorbing critical views from one whose opinions you trust.
There was never a time when trust wasn't important, although I do think the value of trust is even higher today. I think without explicitly naming it as a desired trait—it is one that readers look for today. Thank you for the comment, Paul.
These are all good points. I especially like that you describe wanting reviewers who are 'useful', as that implies something different than agreement. Often the critics that I learn the most from are those who I disagree with but who have clear and reasoned perspectives. Thank you for the comment, John.
If you are referring to 'On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous', I have not read it, but thank you for mentioning it. Eloquent prose is a good recommendation for me.