I was on television a couple of years ago and the reporter…
“I was on television a couple of years ago and the reporter asked me, "How does it feel being on mainstream media? It's not often poets get on mainstream media." I said, "Well I think you're the dominant media, the dominant culture, but you're not the mainstream media. The mainstream media is still the high culture of intellectuals: writers, readers, editors, librarians, professors, artists, art critics, poets, novelists, and people who think. They are the mainstream culture, even though you may be the dominant culture."”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He distinguishes dominant culture from true mainstream culture, which he sees as the intellectual elite engaged in high art.
In simple terms: Intellectuals are the real mainstream culture.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the difference between popular and intellectual spheres.
Themes
culture
media
elitism
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
social
When to use this quote
- Teaching literature
- media criticism
- public speaking
Key Concepts
High culture
dominant narratives
Questions to Reflect On
- How can intellectual culture become more inclusive?
- What role should mainstream media play in promoting high art?
A Different Perspective
The so may be inaccessible to broader audiences.