Tom Wolfe: Did He Kill Democracy?

This article reflects on the legacy of Tom Wolfe, exploring his profound impact on journalism and the decline of his distinctive style. The author recounts a personal interview with Wolfe and analyzes his insightful portrayals of class, status, and social observation. The piece examines the rise and fall of New Journalism and questions how to recapture Wolfe's sharp, engaging, and objective reporting style in today's fragmented and highly polarized media landscape. While acknowledging the near impossibility of replicating Wolfe's approach in the current climate, the author suggests his keen social observation and unique writing style remain invaluable.