The debate over the loss of arts criticism in newspapers nationwide has led to a heated debate between critics Glenn Kenny and Michael Atkinson over Atkinson’s comments in this Brooklyn Rail article. (Links for both come via The House Next Door.) Kenny weighs in on his blog Some Came Running with some harsh words regarding Atkinson’s argument that full-time arts criticism isn’t, well, actually full-time at all.
(For the record, I’m with Kenny on this.)
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Same issue, slightly different facet: over at The Atlantic, Matthew Yglesias argues that consolidation of critical positions within newspaper chains is “a way to cut costs without compromising quality”. This does not go over well with many of his readers (except those who find themselves unable to get past his reference to You Don’t Mess With the Zohan), who head into the comments section with some vitriol or, in other cases, post links to his piece within the larger context of expressing their disapproval with his opinion.
(For the record, I also find myself asking the same questions as this guy.)