Matthew Cheney of The Mumpsimus admires Jonathan Lethem‘s work, but laments the fact that the MacArthur Awards generally go to authors who have already enjoyed considerable success. One of the three criteria for the award, Cheney notes, is that “fellowships must be able to relieve constraints that prevent the recipients from freely working on their most innovative projects, to do what might not be done otherwise.” Cheney argues wisely that the Jonathan Lethems of the world, at this point in their careers, are already free of those constraints, and boldly asks what might happen if the financially secure recipients “put some of their award money together in a foundation of their own, and gave The MacArthur Geniuses’ Genius Award to people they thought were both deserving of the recognition, and in need of the money?”
Michelle: Did you see last year’s interesting article (I believe, in Chicago Business) that suggested that most of the winners had produced most of their best work BEFORE they won their genius grants? Can’t find a link online, but you may want to check it out next time you’re at a LEXIS terminal.
Didn’t see it. Interesting. I’ll try to find it.