Thank you for this, I found it really helpful. I don't like feeling that I'm being bullied into disliking something that has been an important part of my life. I am never not going to love Annie Hall!
A friend of mine raved about this book and you’ve now added to my need to read it. Thank you for an excellent newsletter. It really sounds like she’s approached the subject with the nuance it needs and deserves. I definitely feel this resistance to let go of favourite works from creators who now feel problematic to my principles. The honest reality is it’s often not an on/off switch decision. Here’s to more conversations in the grey areas.
Thanks Claire. I think Dederer is a great commentator on our current times, and her writing is always frank and honest. You can really feel that she wrangles with these issues. I agree that it is difficult to let go of works that we have found comfort or joy from in the past, just as it is difficult to reconcile the acts of people we once revered. Thank you for taking the time to comment - and I hope you enjoy the book! : )
This is a fascinating look at problematic art and cancel culture - and Harry Potter is certainly a current example. I think it’s often a case of separating the art from the artist, but it’s a complex issue, especially when it comes to people we once saw as role models such as Naomi Wolff or Betty Friedan. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic
It's definitely complex, and I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. I guess we all have to decide for ourselves what we feel comfortable with consuming. Thank you for your thoughtful comment : )
Agree with Claire, another book I need to check out.
It’s such a difficult question but agree that your final point about having the choice as the consumer/viewer/reader is perhaps most important. So much nuance, yes, and people are complex and difficult to truly understand (especially from afar).
It’s true I mentioned Bowie as inspiration this week. Lizzo (also mentioned) likewise hasn’t had smooth sailing recently in regards to her new underwear brand. I guess I hope that artists like us are fallible and then perhaps redeem themselves and are forgivable, but it depends on the issue and the consequence or their ensuing actions (especially toward any victims). Soooooo difficult. Thanks for a great read to continue to ponder.
Thanks for your thoughtful response, Kate! Yes, it's such a complex and thought-provoking mindfield, isn't it? I guess we often hold people to such high standards as well, and don't always see that they, like all of us, have flaws and make mistakes. As you say, some things are also more difficult to forgive, and it can also be difficult when we examine them through our current hyper-awareness.
Thanks for the link! I didn't know anything about this.
Thank you for this, I found it really helpful. I don't like feeling that I'm being bullied into disliking something that has been an important part of my life. I am never not going to love Annie Hall!
A friend of mine raved about this book and you’ve now added to my need to read it. Thank you for an excellent newsletter. It really sounds like she’s approached the subject with the nuance it needs and deserves. I definitely feel this resistance to let go of favourite works from creators who now feel problematic to my principles. The honest reality is it’s often not an on/off switch decision. Here’s to more conversations in the grey areas.
Thanks Claire. I think Dederer is a great commentator on our current times, and her writing is always frank and honest. You can really feel that she wrangles with these issues. I agree that it is difficult to let go of works that we have found comfort or joy from in the past, just as it is difficult to reconcile the acts of people we once revered. Thank you for taking the time to comment - and I hope you enjoy the book! : )
This is a fascinating look at problematic art and cancel culture - and Harry Potter is certainly a current example. I think it’s often a case of separating the art from the artist, but it’s a complex issue, especially when it comes to people we once saw as role models such as Naomi Wolff or Betty Friedan. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic
It's definitely complex, and I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. I guess we all have to decide for ourselves what we feel comfortable with consuming. Thank you for your thoughtful comment : )
Catching up on my reading and wanted to say I really enjoyed this one! I read Poser but haven't heard of the others. :)
Agree with Claire, another book I need to check out.
It’s such a difficult question but agree that your final point about having the choice as the consumer/viewer/reader is perhaps most important. So much nuance, yes, and people are complex and difficult to truly understand (especially from afar).
It’s true I mentioned Bowie as inspiration this week. Lizzo (also mentioned) likewise hasn’t had smooth sailing recently in regards to her new underwear brand. I guess I hope that artists like us are fallible and then perhaps redeem themselves and are forgivable, but it depends on the issue and the consequence or their ensuing actions (especially toward any victims). Soooooo difficult. Thanks for a great read to continue to ponder.
https://fashionista.com/2023/04/yitty-your-skin-collection-urbody-controversy-lizzo
Thanks for your thoughtful response, Kate! Yes, it's such a complex and thought-provoking mindfield, isn't it? I guess we often hold people to such high standards as well, and don't always see that they, like all of us, have flaws and make mistakes. As you say, some things are also more difficult to forgive, and it can also be difficult when we examine them through our current hyper-awareness.
Thanks for the link! I didn't know anything about this.