from Walter Benjamin, "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction"

[lotesse]

For centuries a small number of writers were confronted by many thousands of readers. This changed toward the end of the last century. With the increasing extension of the press, which kept placing new political, religious, scientific, professional, and local organs before the readers, an increasing number of readers became writers – at first, occasional ones. It began with the daily press opening to its readers space for “letters to the editor.” And today there is hardly a gainfully employed European who could not, in principle, find an opportunity to publish somewhere or other comments on his work, grievances, documentary reports, or that sort of thing. Thus, the distinction between author and public is about to lose its basic character. The difference becomes merely functional; it may vary from case to case. At any moment the reader is ready to turn into a writer. As expert, which he had to become willy-nilly in an extremely specialized work process, even if only in some minor respect, the reader gains access to authorship. In the Soviet Union work itself is given a voice. To present it verbally is part of a man’s ability to perform the work. Literary license is now founded on polytechnic rather than specialized training and thus becomes common property.

Comments

[esteven]

This changed toward the end of the last century.
Really only at the end of the 20th century? The Naval Chronicles had the "Letters to the Editor" section way back in 1799. :D (First published edition of NC)

Any which way though, it is unbelievable what has happened in the past two hundred years. What a lot has changed!

[lotesse]

This is what I heart about intellectual discussion - things are always older than someone says they are! I rely on my 18th Centuryist bff to keep me honest.

[esteven]

*g*
They may be worded more politely, but delight in drawing the attention of the editor to little known facts that should not have been left out. Just like today. ;D