Meaning: The quote by Chuck Klosterman, a well-known critic and author, encapsulates his approach to conducting interviews. Klosterman is known for his insightful and often provocative interviews with musicians, authors, and other cultural figures. In this quote, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining a certain level of adversarial stance during interviews, not in a confrontational way, but in the pursuit of revealing new and untold information.

Klosterman's perspective on interviews can be seen as a departure from the more traditional approach, which often seeks to portray the subject in a positive or flattering light. Instead, he advocates for a more critical and probing style of interviewing, challenging the interviewee to offer insights that may not have been previously explored in other media.

The idea of approaching interviews in an adversarial manner aligns with Klosterman's overall approach to cultural criticism. He is known for his willingness to delve into controversial and thought-provoking topics, often challenging conventional wisdom and popular opinions. By adopting an adversarial stance in his interviews, Klosterman seeks to push the boundaries of conventional discourse and uncover new perspectives and information.

In practical terms, Klosterman's approach to interviews suggests that the interviewer should not shy away from asking tough or uncomfortable questions. Rather than simply rehashing well-known facts or allowing the interviewee to control the narrative, the adversarial approach encourages the interviewer to push for deeper insights and revelations. This can lead to more engaging and substantive interviews that offer audiences a deeper understanding of the interviewee and their work.

At the same time, it's important to note that Klosterman's emphasis on adversarial interviews does not imply a license to attack or belittle the interviewee. Instead, it reflects a commitment to rigorous inquiry and a determination to uncover new and valuable information. The adversarial stance is not about creating conflict for its own sake, but rather about challenging both the interviewer and the interviewee to engage in a more meaningful and substantive dialogue.

Klosterman's approach to interviews has garnered both praise and criticism. Some appreciate his willingness to ask tough questions and challenge conventional narratives, while others argue that his approach can be overly confrontational and combative. Regardless of where one stands on this debate, it's clear that Klosterman's approach has made a significant impact on the field of cultural criticism and journalism.

In conclusion, Chuck Klosterman's quote about the adversarial nature of interviews reflects his commitment to pushing the boundaries of conventional discourse and uncovering new and valuable information. By advocating for a more critical and probing style of interviewing, Klosterman challenges both interviewers and interviewees to engage in deeper and more meaningful dialogues. Whether one agrees with his approach or not, it cannot be denied that Klosterman's perspective has contributed to a richer and more substantive landscape of cultural criticism and journalism.