Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Rosie Whinray's avatar

I just read Wifedom by Anna Funder, critiquing George Orwell; it was pretty damning. Then I read the ripostes to her critique / defences of Orwell by Olivia Laing & Rebecca Solnit (who also wrote a book on Orwell)... It’s a cop-out to say 'people were of their times', but also, it's ridiculous to think people of the past should somehow align with the values of the present: how could they? (Also, it's a species of historical arrogance to assume our present values are the pinnacle of morality, never to change again.) I do think, though, that it's possible to tell if artists / writers of the past were basically decent, & if they weren't, I find it hard to keep loving them. Benjamin Zephaniah, though, I love... It's complicated, because as you say, humans are complicated

Expand full comment
Didironomy's avatar

the greatest part of your talent is your ability to arrive at nuance in subjects that are often dismissed for their difficulty. the way you take in reference and retain its nutritive value is inspiring. that inspiration speaks to the possibility of speaking on anything—if one is willing to sacrifice comfort or time in service of examination and the acceptance of hard truths, to arrive at a kind of equalizing enlightenment.

i once had a rousing conversation about how cultures would have to dispense with individuality to achieve a utopian vision, and how the reality of that is likely implausible. but the idea that nothing is inherently good or bad if you’re willing to reckon with its role in shaping everything around it—that feels deeply present in your writing.

maybe i’m off the mark, but you consistently give voice to positions within topics i’ve seen dismissed or avoided, either due to their polarizing nature or their traumatic weight. it’s truly fascinating, and your work is one of the only newsletters i genuinely look forward to because of it.

Expand full comment
3 more comments...

No posts