conv.

All stories
CultureQuiet · 42h

Stephens: National Book Awards longlists show 'tedious political orthodoxy'

New York Times columnist Bret Stephens critiques the diversity focus of this year's National Book Awards selections.

newest coverage 1d agosummary written 22h ago5 pieces8 likes & upvotes MastodonNewswires

What to know

  • Bret Stephens published a critique of the National Book Awards longlists, characterizing them as reflecting ideological uniformity rather than literary excellence.
  • Social media responses framed Stephens' position as opposition to pluralism and diversity in literature.
  • The dispute centers on whether diversity initiatives in literary awards reflect merit-based selection or political orthodoxy.

The dispute Whether diversity initiatives in literary awards represent genuine merit-based selection or 'tedious political orthodoxy.' · positions read across 3 posts and comments

some voices

Book award longlists should prioritize literary merit over diversity considerations.

  • “The National Book Awards longlists are a study in tedious political orthodoxy.”

    Bret Stephens · New York Times ↗
some voices

Criticism of diversity in awards reflects a desire to exclude non-white voices from literary recognition.

  • “He hates pluralism, which by extension means he wants more white culture, whatever that is.”

    jeffjarvis@mastodon.social · Mastodon ↗

Bret StephensBret Stephens New York Times columnistJeff JarvisJeff Jarvis Social media commenter

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 4 pieces in one hour at Sep 22, 4 AM; 5 pieces over 47 hours (2 articles · 3 posts) Sep 22, 4 AM — 4 pieces · 2 articles · 2 posts — Mastodon 3, Newswires 1Sep 22, 5 AM — quietSep 22, 6 AM — quietSep 22, 7 AM — quietSep 22, 8 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Sep 22, 9 AM — quietSep 22, 10 AM — quietSep 22, 11 AM — quietSep 22, 12 PM — quietSep 22, 1 PM — quietSep 22, 2 PM — quietSep 22, 3 PM — quietSep 22, 4 PM — quietSep 22, 5 PM — quietSep 22, 6 PM — quietSep 22, 7 PM — quietSep 22, 8 PM — quietSep 22, 9 PM — quietSep 22, 10 PM — quietSep 22, 11 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 11 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 11 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 1 AM — quietToday, 2 AM — quiet 12
8 AM4 PMyesterday8 AM4 PMnow · 3:50 AM ET
  1. 2

    Mastodon user Jeff Jarvis attacks Stephens' position on pluralism

    On Mastodon, @jeffjarvis criticized Stephens for opposing pluralism, framing the column as advocacy for 'more white culture.'

    “He hates pluralism, which by extension means he wants more white culture, whatever that is.”
    — jeffjarvis@mastodon.social
    • jeffjarvis@mastodon.social

      Lord, Bedbug is insufferable, which is why the # BrokenTimes imposes him on its readers. He hates pluralism, which by extension means he wants more white culture, whatever that is. The Literary World’s D.E.I. Checklist https://www. nytimes.com/2026/09/22/opinion /national-book-awards-dei.html

      jeffjarvis@mastodon.socialMastodon1d ago1▲view on Mastodon ↗
  2. 1

    Stephens publishes critique of National Book Awards diversity focus

    Bret Stephens published an opinion column titled 'The National Book Awards Are No Longer National,' arguing that the longlists represent 'tedious political orthodoxy.'

    “The National Book Awards longlists are a study in tedious political orthodoxy.”
    — Bret Stephens
    1. 2 outlets Opinion | The National Book Awards Are No Longer National

      first by Mastodon, 1d ago · also NYT

      1 more headline

    • The Literary World’s D.E.I. Checklist https://www. nytimes.com/2026/09/22/opinion /national-book-awards-dei.html?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub Posted into Most Emailed @ most-emailed-newyorktimes

      newyorktimes@flipboard.comMastodon1d agoview on Mastodon ↗
    2 posts in this stretch →

What people are saying 0 voices from 0 sites · best of 3 · verbatim