The job of the critic, as it might have been conceived in the 1950's or 1960's, was some kind of role of moral arbiter for people, not a huge number of people, but people who were, you know, fairly educated, well-placed people.
Louis MenandCognitive science is a rapidly developing area, so it could be that there are some surprises around the corner. That does seem to be kind of where the trend line is leading.
Louis MenandOne of the good things about the profession of being a professor, is that you also have time to do what interests you and what you care about or what you're good at.
Louis MenandIt's very hard to know who your readers are, but that's who I'm... if I have somebody in my head, that's probably who it is.
Louis MenandThe time between Bachelor's degree and a PhD, the median time is over 11 years. So then you're still only on a tenure ladder, you're not tenured. So it generally takes 6 to 8 years after that to get tenure. So that's a very long period of what's essentially apprenticeship, of insecurity.
Louis Menand