Critics at Large | The New Yorker
Episode: Help, I Need a Critic!
Release Date: October 24, 2024

Introduction: Launching "I Need a Critic" (00:06 – 03:49)

In this special episode of Critics at Large, hosted by Vincent Cunningham, Naomi Frye, and Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker introduces a new interactive segment titled "I Need a Critic". This segment serves as an advice hotline where listeners can submit their cultural conundrums, and the trio offers thoughtful, analytical responses.

Vincent Cunningham humorously sets the tone:

"I'm so glad to be back for..." (00:32)

Naomi Frye elaborates on the segment's inception, highlighting the overabundance of advice in today's digital landscape:

"These days, we've reached peak advice. It's everywhere." (01:16)

Alex Schwartz concurs, noting the ubiquity of unsolicited advice across various platforms:

"Everyone's an expert. Instagram, absolutely." (01:41)

The hosts express their excitement and slight nervousness about stepping into the role of cultural advisors, setting the stage for engaging listener interactions.

The Saturation of Advice in Modern Media (01:16 – 03:49)

The conversation pivots to the proliferation of advice in contemporary media. The hosts discuss how platforms like Instagram and TikTok have democratized advice-giving, often leading to micro-advice snippets that can both comfort and overwhelm users.

Vincent shares his personal experience as a new parent inundated with parenting tips on social media:

"It's like all of my algorithm now in a way that I find disconcerting, sometimes helpful, but sometimes anxiety-inducing." (01:47)

Alex adds a critical perspective on the commercialization of advice:

"If you write help in the comments, you will get your very own pamphlet emailed to you that hopefully will get you hooked on some other kind of paying product." (02:40)

Naomi Frye emphasizes the pervasiveness of advice and introduces the episode's interactive element:

"We're going to talk about the state of advice and we're gonna pull up our own sleeves, join the fray, and hear from all of you." (02:40)

This segment sets up the episode’s core focus: navigating the overwhelming landscape of modern advice through thoughtful, curated responses.

Listener Call 1: Gerald’s Struggle with Disturbing Literature (04:07 – 11:00)

Gerald from Glasgow, Texas, shares his unsettling experience after reading The Witch Elm by Tana French. He expresses a reluctance to continue reading due to the disturbing revelations about human nature presented in the book.

"I kind of got this really bad feeling... I just don't want to read anymore." (05:23)

Alex connects Gerald's feelings to Tana French’s exploration of human complexity and suggests revisiting comforting literature:

"Mine is also Jane Austen... symmetry, order, hope, and comedy." (09:21)

Naomi recommends starting with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to regain a sense of wholesomeness and human connection:

"Maybe read Pride and Prejudice, go right to P and P." (09:38)

Vincent adds the suggestion of epistolary novels, emphasizing the warmth found in letter-writing:

"Reading letters because of the way that we put ourselves forward to other people." (10:21)

Gerald appreciates the advice, expressing enthusiasm for the recommendations:

"That's right. And I do think Jane Austen is a great one... Don't tell my mom." (09:23)

The hosts successfully guide Gerald towards literary avenues that can help him reconnect with positive aspects of human nature, providing a balanced approach to dealing with unsettling content.

Listener Call 2: Adam’s Quest for Healthy Relationship Media (11:00 – 27:05)

Adam from Los Angeles, Louisiana, seeks recommendations for films and novels that depict healthy relationships, as his therapist has advised him to explore such narratives after being accustomed to stories of toxic relationships.

"I like films and novels with toxic relationships... are there even good films or good novels that depict healthy relationships?" (11:39)

Alex suggests two contemporary books that balance realistic relationships with emotional depth:

1. "The Anthropologists" by Aisha Gul Savage:
   "It's really about how you make a life together with someone else... the relationship is really loving." (13:23)

2. "Small Rain" by Garth Greenwell:
   "It's about a long-term stable relationship... wrestling with what it means to change his ways." (14:15)

Vincent recommends Jay McInerney’s Brightness Falls Trilogy, which explores the nuances of a couple building a life together amidst personal flaws:

"Russell and Karine Calloway... trying to make it in the big city." (15:52)

Naomi adds Richard Linklater's Before Trilogy (Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight) as an exemplary portrayal of evolving relationships through genuine conversation:

"It's about a life. It's not perfect, but it's functioning... based on conversation." (17:08)

Adam is excited by the thoughtful recommendations, indicating a strong anticipation to explore these titles:

"I'm gonna read that next. I'm so excited." (15:30)

The hosts collectively provide diverse and nuanced recommendations, emphasizing literature and film that showcase realistic and evolving relationships, aligning with Adam's therapeutic goals.

Listener Call 3: Sophie’s Experience with Motherhood and Art (27:05 – 45:45)

Sophie from New Orleans, Louisiana, reaches out with her pregnancy experience and the associated anxiety about motherhood, particularly as an artist seeking positive representations that celebrate the magic of motherhood rather than focusing solely on its challenges.

"I'm ready to start thinking about what happens when this little human arrives... I just want to read something that says, it's gonna be beautiful and it's gonna be worth it." (21:07)

Naomi empathizes, highlighting her own experience as a mother:

"I would say that 24 is very young, and you have plenty of time still to become independent." (22:27)

Vincent humorously references Shakespeare’s Hamlet to illustrate the internal conflict of moving towards independence:

"To move out or not to move out. That is the question." (24:38)

Alex offers personal recommendations aimed at providing Sophie with uplifting and reassuring narratives:

1. "Little Labors" by Rifka Galtchin:
   "It's a very short series of observational vignettes about having a young baby... it's very funny, it's wry, it's tender." (43:51)

2. "Matrescence" by Lucy Jones:
   Explores the transformative journey of becoming a mother.

3. "Mother Artist" by Katherine Ricketts:
   Focuses on balancing artistry with motherhood.

4. "Acts of Creation" by Hedi Judah:
   Addresses the intersection of creativity and parenting.

Alex also shares an anecdote about outsourcing advice to a writer friend, illustrating the communal and supportive nature of advice-giving:

"I outsourced it. Oh. So this is why I feel prepared for this question." (43:23)

Sophie is thrilled by the recommendations and the personal touch the hosts bring to their advice:

"Absolutely. Yeah. Let us know how you're doing." (26:54)

In a heartwarming twist, Sophie reveals she is in labor, and the hosts celebrate the birth of her son, Lorenzo, further embodying the supportive and empathetic spirit of the segment.

Reflections on Advice Giving Today (27:16 – 55:00)

As the hosts continue, they delve into a broader discussion on the current landscape of advice and the complexities involved in being public advice givers.

Vincent reflects on the historical context of advice columns, mentioning Martin Luther King Jr.’s role as an advisor:

"What we don't have today is for better and for worse, really any kind of overarching, normative ethics." (48:30)

Alex contrasts different styles of advice columns, highlighting the compassionate approach of Heather Havrilevsky at The Cut versus more judgmental tones:

"Dear sugar from the rumpus... a shot of whiskey." (32:27)

Naomi and Alex discuss the plurality of ethical perspectives in modern society, attributing the overwhelming amount of available advice to the diverse ways of living:

"Each of us is sort of alien to the terms of the other... creates this big sort of 3D map of how to live together." (49:22)

Alex emphasizes the importance of personal connection in advice-giving, suggesting that effective advice should balance practicality with empathy:

"The best kind of advice givers give is a sense of personal connection. They are trusted friends, advisors, and realists." (50:42)

Vincent adds that good advice is often about navigating the existing societal structures rather than advocating for systemic change:

"How do I live in the world as it exists?... It is something very human about that." (54:34)

Naomi concludes this segment by underscoring the human aspect of advice, acknowledging the infinite possibilities and complexities within cultural advice-giving:

"Culture is the realm of infinite possibility... it involves social constraints, politics, bias." (54:11)

Conclusion: Final Thoughts and Credits (55:00 – End)

The episode wraps up with the hosts reflecting on their experience as new advice givers, acknowledging the challenges and rewards of navigating the saturated advice landscape.

Naomi summarizes the episode’s insights:

"We are just muddling through, doing what we can, making space for ourselves at the margins." (55:00)

Vincent, Naomi, and Alex express gratitude to their listeners and encourage ongoing participation in the "I Need a Critic" segment, inviting more cultural questions via email.

The episode concludes with a brief mention of upcoming projects and credits, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind the podcast’s production.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Vincent Cunningham:
  "I'm so glad to be back for..." (00:32)
  "Good luck. Moving man." (10:26)

• Naomi Frye:
  "These days, we've reached peak advice. It's everywhere." (01:16)
  "Maybe start with Jane Austen. Maybe read like Pride and Prejudice." (09:38)

• Alex Schwartz:
  "It's not easy work." (47:24)
  "Look, it's no secret that writers, filmmakers, art makers... are drawn to the chaotic." (12:44)

Key Takeaways

• "I Need a Critic" serves as a meaningful platform for addressing listener concerns through a cultural lens, fostering a sense of community and shared experience.

• Navigating Advice Overload: The hosts acknowledge the challenges of modern advice saturation and strive to provide thoughtful, personalized recommendations that offer solace and direction.

• Empathy and Practicality: Effective advice-giving requires a balance of empathy and practical guidance, ensuring that recommendations are both comforting and actionable.

• Cultural Reflection: The episode underscores the role of cultural narratives in shaping personal growth and societal understanding, highlighting the importance of meaningful representation in media.

Final Notes

For those interested in further exploring these discussions or seeking personalized cultural advice, Critics at Large invites listeners to participate in the ongoing "I Need a Critic" project by reaching out via email at critics@thenewyorker.com.

This summary captures the essence of the episode "Help, I Need a Critic!" from Critics at Large | The New Yorker, highlighting key discussions, recommendations, and the insightful interplay between the hosts and their listeners.