The critical task is necessarily comparative, and younger people do not truly know what is new.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Criticism relies on comparison, but younger people lack the historical context to truly recognize what is actually new.
- In plain terms
- Youth cannot distinguish what is new because they lack the experience to compare it to the past.
- What can you take from it?
- Experience is necessary to recognize true novelty.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does experience shape our view of novelty?
- Can youth recognize innovation without history?
Another view
Young people often spot innovations older critics miss due to fresh eyes.
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