This podcast covers the crisis in literary criticism, demands for a cosmopolitan turn in literary studies, the alleged golden age of popular criticism, and the role of para-academic publications like the Los Angeles Review of Books.
01:20:25
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Quick takeaways
The current labor realities are impacting the ecosystems that sustain the conversation and the ability to create time for critical engagement.
Paraacademic spaces like the Los Angeles Review of Books have contributed to a Golden Age of Popular Criticism, bridging the gap between academia and popular criticism.
Sustaining the conversation around literary criticism is crucial for democracy and the pursuit of knowledge, despite challenges in monetization and resources.
Deep dives
The Crisis of Literary Criticism and Labor Conditions
The conversation around the crisis in literary criticism is not limited to academia—it extends to various industries that are experiencing intensification of work and crumbling labor practices. The current labor realities are affecting the ecosystems that sustain the conversation and the ability to create time for critical engagement. However, the need to reassess and examine the conversation periodically is essential, especially in light of the changing labor conditions. The crisis stems from the lack of time and labor resources, which impacts the ability to sustain the conversation.
The Golden Age of Popular Criticism and Paraacademic Spaces
The rise of paraacademic spaces, such as the Los Angeles Review of Books, has had a significant impact on the state of literary criticism. These spaces straddle the line between reading for pleasure and reading for productivity. They provide a platform for critics to engage in high-quality, sophisticated, and ambitious work that bridges the gap between academia and popular criticism. The abundance and consistency of the work produced in these spaces have contributed to what has been called the Golden Age of Popular Criticism.
The Role of Literary Criticism in a Democracy
Literary criticism and the broader conversation surrounding literature have a vital role to play in a functioning democracy. It is essential for people to continue reading, thinking, and engaging with the news and research to foster a well-informed society. The value of the conversation lies in the care and passion brought by individuals, even in the face of challenges in monetization and resources. Sustaining the conversation is crucial for the health of democracy and the pursuit of knowledge.
Abundance of Criticism in the Digital Age
In the podcast episode, the discussion revolves around the proliferation of criticism and its accessibility in the digital age. While traditional forms of criticism have faced challenges, there has been an increase in para-academic publications, digital platforms, podcasts, and social media channels that have expanded the notion of what constitutes criticism. This abundance of criticism is seen as a golden age for readers, particularly non-specialist ones, who now have access to a wide range of sophisticated critical treatments across various media. The conversation also highlights the impact of precarity in the academic and publishing sectors, which has contributed to the growth of alternative voices and platforms.
The Changing Landscape of Criticism and Media
The episode explores the changing landscape of criticism and the need for adaptation in response to evolving media trends. The Los Angeles Review of Books (LARB) is cited as an example of a publication that transcends traditional print periodical formats and embraces multimedia approaches to criticism, including podcasts, video essays, and social media engagement. The LARB aims to keep the conversation alive by experimenting with different formats and expanding the definition of criticism. The discussion also touches upon the challenges of discoverability in the digital age and the importance of answering the question 'Why does this book matter?' to engage readers in critical essays.
The premiere of a new series, "Criticism LTD," on the contemporary state of criticism. This episode covers proclamations of crisis from legacy media earlier this year, demands for a cosmopolitan turn in literary studies (11:15), an alleged golden age of popular criticism (28:00), and the role of para-academic publications like the Los Angeles Review of Books (54:30).
Cast (in order of appearance): Matt Seybold, John Guillory, Ignacio M. Sanchez Prado, Justin Smith-Ruiu, Ryan Ruby, Michelle Chihara
For episode bibliography, please visit MarkTwainStudies.com/GoldenAge, or subscribe to our newsletter at TheAmericanVandal.SubStack.com, where you will also receive episode transcripts.
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