Compact Podcast Compact Conversations: Jacob Savage
Mar 26, 2025
Jacob Savage, a writer for Compact Magazine known for his provocative insights on literary culture, sits down with Geoff Shullenberger. They dive into why his article 'The Vanishing White Male Writer' sparked such widespread conversation, attributing it to a mix of honest data and readers' demand for diverse voices. Jacob also critiques contemporary authors for their risk-averse styles and discusses the cultural implications of works like 'American Fiction.' The duo further explores the impact of victimhood narratives and challenges to identitarian fiction.
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Why The Piece Went Viral
- Jacob Savage thinks the piece resonated because people want confirmation backed by data rather than mere vibes.
- He suggests statistical claims carry more persuasive power in cultural debates today.
Conversation That Sparked The Investigation
- Jacob Savage recounts a conversation with an editor friend that sparked the investigation into white male millennial novelists.
- That chat led him to research and be surprised by the near-absence of zeitgeisty white male millennial writers.
Honesty As A Criterion For Art
- Savage argues the issue isn't merely who gets published but that art should honestly reflect the world.
- He warns a culture that forecloses creative possibilities makes art worse for everyone.