White's really rips into Terry Gross in his essay, "The Middle Mind" (surely to be reprinted in his forthcoming book of the same name). It can be found online here: http://www.centerforbookculture.org/context/no9/white.html. He describes the "middle mind" as the midpoint between the radical right and intellectual/academic left in the culture wars, but minus the political and intellectual engagement. White sees Gross' "Fresh Air" as the perfect embodiment of the "middle mind" -- the interviews with writers (apparently the show makes no distinction between serious authors and tv writers) and artists never get into serious discussions of the artworks. "It's like Dr. Laura for people with bachelor degrees. Car Talk has more intellectual content." Funny article, but leaves a bitter aftertaste.
From: Herb Levy <herb@eskimo.com> To: zorn-list@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re:summer reading list Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2003 08:21:14 -0500
"Ben Axelrad" <soulfrieda@hotmail.com> wrote:
Curtis White "Requiem". Quite enjoyable, despite the pretentious description on the back. Fragmented stories about famous composers, an English prof surfing the net for porn, a "prophet" inteviewing murderers and madmen, bestiality, but the most exploitative parts are the potshots at NPR and Terry Gross.
Ben, could you please write more about what he's up to re: NPR & Terri Gross?
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