Not sure everyone understands the scale of what just happened.
NYT has been the leading journalistic voice for generations.
It came close to defining liberal opinion.
That massive power structure has in effect collapsed. nypost.com/2020/06/06/lef…
NYT has been the leading journalistic voice for generations.
It came close to defining liberal opinion.
That massive power structure has in effect collapsed. nypost.com/2020/06/06/lef…
A liberal opinions editor has tried for years to stave off the destruction of the NYT as a defining voice of liberalism and democracy—by holding the paper open to occasional conservative views.
Bennet understood that liberalism draws its power and legitimacy from its claim to be a fair arbiter or public discussion.
The paper was always liberal. But it claimed to be able to include disagreement in its tent.
The paper was always liberal. But it claimed to be able to include disagreement in its tent.
By forcing out its most prominent defender of old-school liberal dialogue, the NYT has admitted it can no longer hold the course.
It can’t be a liberal newspaper in the old sense anymore.
And if a power like the Times can’t hold the course, who can?
It can’t be a liberal newspaper in the old sense anymore.
And if a power like the Times can’t hold the course, who can?
Many people saw this coming. It’s been unfolding for years.
Few liberal outlets actually carry conservative opinion anymore. Most of their token NeverTrumpers are just mainstream liberals now.
Their role is to preserve the fiction of diversity.
Few liberal outlets actually carry conservative opinion anymore. Most of their token NeverTrumpers are just mainstream liberals now.
Their role is to preserve the fiction of diversity.
Why preserve the fiction of diversity?
Because many liberals still have an attachment—fast evaporating—to the idea that you get to truth through hearing different sides.
Because many liberals still have an attachment—fast evaporating—to the idea that you get to truth through hearing different sides.
But it is a fiction: Most liberal outlets don’t think there are two legitimate sides on almost any major issue any more.
And when you think there’s only one legitimate point of view on almost any issue, you in effect stop believing in liberalism—and start edging toward Marxism.
And when you think there’s only one legitimate point of view on almost any issue, you in effect stop believing in liberalism—and start edging toward Marxism.
The NYT will not survive this transition. It will still sell papers. But it’s position as a principal organ maintaining and defending liberal way of life in America is finished.
Although I was never a liberal, I grew up reading the Times every morning.
I knew it’s views weren’t my own on many things. But I did believe I could trust the paper to uphold serious open debate, which meant giving meaningful space and attention to conservative views.
I knew it’s views weren’t my own on many things. But I did believe I could trust the paper to uphold serious open debate, which meant giving meaningful space and attention to conservative views.
The old-school liberal New York Times is a paper we are sorely going to miss.
