Zeitgeist Genius Tina Brown on Meghan Markle, Vanity Fair and Whether We Still Need Editors
Apr 18, 2025
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Tina Brown, the former editor of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, now authors the Substack 'Fresh Hell'. She dives into the evolution of magazine editing and critiques the current chaotic media culture. Brown expresses her opinions on the necessity of editors in today’s influencer-driven world. She shares thoughts on Meghan Markle’s public persona and the state of journalism, lamenting the decline of in-depth reporting. The conversation also explores how digital platforms like Substack are reshaping storytelling while addressing the challenges of modern media.
Tina Brown reflects on the shift from centralized editorial control to a fragmented media landscape dominated by individual voices and influencers.
Her transition to Substack showcases the empowerment of writers in controlling their content and audience interaction, emphasizing the value of personalization.
Brown critiques the contemporary media's struggle to sustain narrative depth amidst an overload of information, calling for a revival of quality storytelling.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Magazine Editing
The role of magazine editors has significantly transformed from the era of 'imperial editors' who dictated cultural narratives to a more fragmented landscape where individual voices have gained prominence. Tina Brown, a renowned editor at prestigious publications like The New Yorker and Vanity Fair, reflects on how the centralized power once held by editors has diminished, with writers now wielding more influence. This evolution suggests that magazines may not have the same cultural shaping capabilities as they did in the past, leading to questions about their relevance in the current media landscape. Brown notes that although she misses the days of directing a team and matching stories to writers, the modernization of media encourages a landscape where personal voices can thrive.
Tina Brown's Transition to Substack
Tina Brown’s shift to a Substack platform represents both a departure from traditional editorial roles and an embrace of a more individualized media landscape. While she acknowledges the luxury of her past positions, she finds empowerment in the freedom of controlling her content and audience engagement on Substack. The rise of personalization in media has rekindled a connection between writers and readers, allowing Brown to share her insights without the constraints of a large publication. This transition highlights the potential for quality content on newer platforms, reflecting both a nostalgic appreciation for traditional magazines and an excitement for the opportunities they now create.
The Art of Storytelling Today
Brown discusses the challenge of sustaining the same narrative impact in an age where stories are abundant yet fleeting. With an overload of information accessible online, she notes a loss of the ability to finely craft and present stories with the depth and excitement that characterized magazine journalism. This oversaturation leads to questions about how contemporary media can effectively capture and direct cultural conversations, now often overshadowed by quick snippets of information. The nostalgia for a time when editors could oversee the intricate storytelling process serves as a poignant backdrop to the current landscape, where individuals struggle to prioritize quality amidst the chaos.
The Challenges of Writing for Modern Audiences
Tina Brown expresses her concerns about the current media's inability to match the past's editorial rigor and storytelling depth, noting the impracticality of lengthy reporting processes in today's fast-paced world. The pressure to produce content rapidly, alongside an abundance of sensationalized information, complicates the art of journalism. She laments the missed opportunities for thorough reporting that can truly engage readers and foster deeper understanding, especially in an era dominated by quickly consumed content. Brown’s insights emphasize the importance of quality storytelling, even as the frameworks for its delivery evolve dramatically.
Exploring New Media Personalities
In discussing figures like Meghan Markle, Tina Brown observes the complexities of celebrity in contemporary media, where personal branding often overshadows substantive content. She critiques Markle's seemingly scattered career ventures, suggesting that a lack of focus may hinder her success despite her popularity. This insight into the dynamics of modern influencers reveals how the pressure to maintain a public persona can lead to missteps, further complicating their narratives. Brown's understanding of these characters intersects with her journalistic instincts, highlighting the need for discerning, thoughtful storytelling amid the noise of digital media.
Tina Brown has shaped the culture and captured the zeitgeist since she reinvented Vanity Fair and The New Yorker in the 1980s and 1990s. But now, she’s moved onto the digital media space with her Substack, Fresh Hell. This week, Ben and Max talk to the magazine icon about what she makes of the state of print media today, if we still need editors in a world filled with influencers, and what she thinks the future holds for her former employer, Condé Nast. They also talk about her gripes with our current “uncouth” culture, how we’ve all become “scavengers of info,” and the stories she would assign today if she could.
