NY Times Columnist Pamela Paul Knows What You’re Thinking
Nov 27, 2023
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Pamela Paul, NY Times columnist, discusses problematic opinions, book reviewing, publishing, feeling French, and more. They explore the importance of diverse voices in book reviews and the challenges of finding reliable thinkers. They also talk about living abroad, frustration with open-mindedness, and the value of reading opposing viewpoints. Additionally, they discuss the financial challenges of living in Manhattan, the future of publishing, and their writing processes.
The importance of addressing unsaid and unwritten topics to bridge the gap between public discourse and private conversations.
The need for open-mindedness and avoiding simplistic categorizations in representing diverse viewpoints.
Stepping away from echo chambers like Twitter and focusing on independent thought and personalized writing for a broader representation of readers' interests.
Deep dives
The Need for Honest Writing
The podcast episode discusses the speaker's realization of the disconnect between public discourse and private conversations. They express the importance of addressing the unsaid and unwritten topics that often get neglected. The speaker decides to become a columnist to fill this gap and provide a platform for such discussions.
Challenges in Representing Diverse Viewpoints
The podcast touches on the challenges of representing diverse viewpoints and the tendency to pigeonhole writers based on their identities. It highlights the need for open-mindedness and avoiding simplistic categorizations. The speaker emphasizes the importance of engaging with opposing points of view and how that strengthens one's own arguments.
The Influence of Social Media and Twitter
The podcast acknowledges the influence of social media, particularly Twitter, and how it can limit one's perspective. It discusses the danger of echo chambers, where people only engage with like-minded individuals. The speaker advocates for stepping away from Twitter to focus on independent thought and writing that reflects personal beliefs rather than seeking approval or validation.
The Changing Landscape of Publishing and Cultural Institutions
The podcast raises concerns about the homogeneity in publishing and cultural institutions. It comments on the composition of National Book Award finalists and winners, signaling a shift in the industry. The speaker calls for a broader representation of viewpoints and urges publishers to recognize the diversity of readers and cater to a wider range of interests.
The Importance of Storytelling in Fiction
Storytelling and complex characters are essential for successful fiction sales, as readers are more interested in engaging storylines than books with a mere political message. Books with strong storytelling and compelling characters are preferred by readers and tend to sell well, despite the media's and publishing industry's myopic focus on books that aim to drive social change through political messages. The success of TV shows like 'White Lotus' and authors like David Grann further reinforces the fact that people respond to original storytelling.
The Evolving Publishing Industry and the Challenges It Faces
The publishing industry is undergoing significant changes due to economic pressures and shifts in readers' tastes. While readers continue to enjoy a variety of genres, including crime novels and romances, the lack of attention given to certain genres like 'dad books' (historical biographies or fiction) has contributed to their declining popularity. The dominance of women in the industry, both in publishing and gatekeeping roles, has led to a focus on books that may pander to certain politically correct ideas, while overlooking other categories which may appeal to different readerships. Additionally, challenges in distribution and limited coverage from reviewers further complicate the landscape of publishing.
New York Times opinion columnist Pamela Paul joins The Unspeakable for a conversation about problematic opinions, obvious truths, the state of book reviewing, the problem with publishing, “feeling French” despite being an American, and much more.
Pamela Paul became an Opinion columnist for The New York Times in 2022. She was previously the editor of The New York Times Book Review for nine years, where she oversaw book coverage and hosted the Book Review podcast. She is the author of eight books, most recently, 100 Things We’ve Lost to the Internet.
