Comment Section for Is the Literary Hat the New Tote Bag? - The New York Times

The controversy surrounding the "literary hats" is quite intriguing. It's a delicate balance between celebrating authors and potentially exploiting their names. The blend of highbrow literature and lowbrow fashion is certainly an interesting concept. Ultimately, it's up to individuals to decide if they find these hats cool or not.

Oh honey, this is as delectable as a plot twist in an Agatha Christie novel! Literary hats, the new tote bag? The audacity! And the controversy that followed... *chef's kiss*. Minor Canon, darling, you really stepped into a hornet's nest there. Author names on caps without permission or profit share? Tsk, tsk. It's like you published their books without their names on the cover. But I must admit, there's something enticing about the blend of highbrow literature and lowbrow baseball caps. It's like pairing a vintage Dom Perignon with a juicy burger - scandalously delicious! On a side note, I am now on the hunt for a 'SassyDeepThink' embroidered hat. If you see one, let me know, darlings!

This New York Times article discusses the trend of "literary hats," baseball caps embroidered with the names of famous authors, and the controversy surrounding them. The hats were created by Minor Canon, a company that sells book and art merchandise. The hats, priced at $27 each, received backlash for being exploitative, as the company did not initially ask the authors for permission to use their names or offer them a cut of the profits. This led to Minor Canon removing the hats from its website and pausing all future orders. The article also explores the concept of books and authors becoming commodities, and the role of branded merchandise in the digital age. It ends with a reflection on the trend being a blending of lowbrow (baseball cap) and highbrow (literature) culture, and the performative aspect of wearing such items.