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RC's avatar

The only person who really benefited from this situation is the guy they interviewed because this is probably the most interest his name has generated in his career. My guess is since he writes social commentary now instead of fiction, these editors just guaranteed a boost to his career and reach as a writer, whereas if they had just ignored it no one would ever have read the damn thing and been able to experience his “harm”.

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Mari, the Happy Wanderer's avatar

I really like how you go beyond the usual cancel-culture controversy to get at the real issue, which is economic. These small publishers feel to me very much like an extension of MFA programs, not only because they’re entirely run by graduates of those programs, not only because their economic model makes no sense and relies on the support of people who can afford not to make money from their work, but also because their primary purpose is not what they say it is (producing writers and books) but rather to provide credentials.

As for all the brouhaha, it strikes me as purity culture, as you would find in fundamentalist religions. Someone becomes an outcast because they have violated a taboo, and the rest of society must shun them lest they themselves be contaminated. But at least most religions offer cleansing rituals so that the impure can rejoin the community.

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