Gail Collins and Bret Stephens: A Farewell Exchange

Gail Collins and Bret Stephens: The Conversation That Changed the New York Times’ Opinion Pages

For eight years, the weekly dialogue between liberal columnist Gail Collins and conservative columnist Bret Stephens has been a staple of The New York Times’ Opinion pages. The Conversation, as it came to be known, has been a crucial part of the agenda-setting and thought world of the Opinion section. However, after a successful run, The Conversation has come to an end. In a recent interview with Aaron Retica, an editor at large in the Opinion section of The New York Times, Collins and Stephens reflected on their years of civil conversations and discussed how they managed to keep the dialogue going.

According to Retica, The Conversation was a weekly dialogue between two columnists who, despite their political differences, liked each other and were prepared to sit down at a metaphorical table. Collins explained that one of them would begin with a general topic and they would email each other. “It’s a really fun way to have the kind of conversations that I think people miss having these days,” she said. Stephens added that The Conversation was a chance for them to shoot the breeze for the better part of an hour. “We’re just bringing it to a close now because we have books to write,” he said.

The Conversation was not just a popular feature in The New York Times; it also sparked a lot of interest among readers. Stephens recalled a story where a stranger approached him on a street corner in L.A. and said, “Gail Collins is my favorite columnist!” Collins laughed and said that people in her neighborhood on the Upper West Side of Manhattan would often stop her and ask about Stephens. “They really love feeling like they’re talking to him,” she said.

The Conversation covered a wide range of topics, including the transformation of the Republican Party. Stephens noted that the party was no longer the one he was an enthusiast of, and that it had changed significantly over the years. “I think of the Republican Party as Upsidedownistan,” he said. Collins added that social media had contributed to the degradation of public discourse. “It’s not easy, and we won’t know in a way, because more media stuff will happen all the time and things will change,” she said.

The Conversation also sparked a lot of questions from readers, who wanted to know how Collins and Stephens managed to have a proper discussion with someone from a different political perspective. Collins said that she started from a point of trying to take whatever was going on and talk to people about it in a way that was amusing and funny. Stephens added that the key was not to go into a conversation with the idea of winning. “It’s not a competition,” he said. “It’s an effort to learn how the other side thinks.”

Collins and Stephens also discussed the importance of humor in difficult conversations. Collins said that humor could make conversations more attractive and interesting. Stephens added that humor was a universal solvent and that it eased conversations, especially when they came to tense moments. “Lord knows we live in an age where my view hasn’t carried the day, but I ultimately don’t think that nastiness is a winning political strategy,” he said.

The Conversation may be coming to an end, but its legacy lives on. Collins and Stephens have shown that it’s possible to have civil conversations with someone from a different political perspective. As The New York Times Opinion section continues to evolve, it’s clear that The Conversation has left a lasting impact. “This has been so much fun,” Collins said. “Thank you.” Stephens added, “What a joy this has been.”

The New York Times’ commitment to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor is evident in the hundreds of responses they received from readers. The Conversation may be over, but its impact will be felt for a long time. As the newspaper continues to navigate the complexities of modern discourse, it’s clear that The Conversation has set a high standard for civil and engaging discussion.

In their final conversation, Collins and Stephens reflected on the role of humor in politics and its ability to bring people together. They cited examples of politicians who used humor effectively, such as Ronald Reagan and Winston Churchill. “Humor wins over not only your friends, but wins over people on the other side,” Stephens said.

Their conversation also touched on the challenges of informing a world that doesn’t want to be informed. Collins noted that it’s essential to make information more accessible and friendly. “If you can feel like you’re having fun, I think that the fact that we have fun when we argue with one another is a really big, big important part of whatever we do,” she said.

As The Conversation comes to a close, Collins and Stephens expressed their gratitude to readers and the team that made it possible. “This is Aaron’s work,” Collins said, referring to Retica. Stephens added, “None of this would’ve been possible without a brilliant editor — Aaron Retica, bringing it together.”

The Conversation may be over, but its legacy will continue to inspire and educate readers. As The New York Times continues to publish diverse perspectives and opinions, it’s clear that The Conversation has set a high standard for civil and engaging discussion.



Source link