T
he massive and spectacular departure of authors from the [French publishing house] Grasset, in the wake of changes at Hachette Livre and the growing influence of the Bolloré group over the media, is not simply just another episode in the publishing world; it exposes a longstanding blindness. Many of those who now criticize the group's ideological direction either helped or tolerated its gradual takeover of their "house."
As if, under the guise of a supposed specificity of the arts and culture, professional life could be reduced to personal relationships of friendship, loyalty and allegiance; as if being protected oneself were enough to ensure collective freedom. This illusion is not only fragile but also toxic – and it goes far beyond the case of Grasset. Too many intellectuals have believed – and still believe – that they are safe because they were tied to prominent figures or to institutions thought capable of shielding them under any circumstance. The constant reference to [publisher] Olivier Nora is such a symptom – as though the presence of a respected publisher could guarantee the future. Not only is such protection inherently fragile, but it is also a denial of reality. The authors at Grasset have now been confronted with that reality.
