Sciences Humaines and Philosophy Magazine Launch 'MàJ' Book

Sciences Humaines Editions and Philosophie magazine have jointly launched a new book series titled 'MàJ'. The collection aims to tackle misunderstandings that create friction between generations, covering topics from cultural practices and digital habits to political engagement, work, and personal choices.

Editors Julie Davidoux and Agathe Guillot are commissioning short, documented, and personal texts from young authors. The first book, Je suis de la génération terrible. Les mangas, et si on en parlait by Gatsu Sensei, is set for release on October 16.

The Genesis of a 'Mise à Jour'

The idea for 'MàJ' emerged from a discussion about the Seuil publishing house's collection 'Expliqué à mes petits-enfants' ('Explained to My Grandchildren'). Editor Julie Davidoux explained they wondered what the counterpart to that series would look like. Instead of asking older generations to impart knowledge to the young, 'MàJ' starts from the practices and questions of new generations to open a dialogue with their elders.

The series focuses on what 'creates friction between generations' without seeking to pit them against each other. 'We wanted to open a dialogue and not throw a punch. The collection is not militant but engaged,' Davidoux clarified. The name MàJ, for 'Mise à Jour' ('Update'), reflects this desire to update perceptions. It aims to give older people keys to understanding contemporary world transformations and give young people tools to explain it to their elders.

A First Book on Manga Culture

The inaugural volume, Je suis de la génération terrible. Les mangas, et si on en parlait by Gatsu Sensei, leads the series. The author, a philosophy teacher and manga mediator, explores his personal relationship with the culture, the place it has held in his life, and more broadly, the role it plays in shaping a generation's imagination.

For the editors, manga is a revealing first entry point into generational tensions. Long considered a subculture, it continues to cause misunderstandings even as its place in cultural practices keeps growing. 'There was talk of removing manga from the pass culture a [French cultural pass for youth], even though today, manga represents a large part of teenagers' reading,' stated Julie Davidoux. Gatsu Sensei questions the representations surrounding manga and the reasons this cultural practice can still spark debate, particularly in schools or the political sphere.

Forthcoming Titles and Editorial Approach

Upcoming titles will extend this approach to varied themes. Simon Brunfaut will examine intergenerational issues in Ce boomer que je ne veux pas devenir ('That Boomer I Don't Want to Become'), while Adèle Cailleteau will dedicate a book to influencers titled Enjoy Phoenix est mon amie ('Enjoy Phoenix is My Friend'). Other subjects, around digital practices, political engagement, work, and intimate choices, are slated to join the collection.

Each book must start from a topic likely to cause misunderstandings and from a personality capable of embodying it. 'We are looking for authors who bring subjects,' explained the editor. The personal narrative is meant to make these questions concrete and offer a starting point for discussion.

Short, Affordable Books Designed for Sharing

The 'MàJ' series bets on a deliberately short format. The books will be a maximum of 100 pages, in a very small format, priced below that of a standard paperback-under 10 euros. This choice responds to a desire to make the texts accessible and to experiment with new editorial forms.

'It's a toolbox that provides keys,' summarized Julie Davidoux. The collection targets a broad readership: older generations wanting to understand their children's or grandchildren's practices, young readers themselves, teachers, and social sector actors. A key goal is to help people find the words to approach certain subjects and discuss them with those around them.

The editors want books that can be read quickly and, most importantly, shared. 'The idea is to have a book in your pocket, accessible, inexpensive, that you can pull out on the Christmas dinner table to open a discussion,' they explained.

For Sciences Humaines Editions and Philosophie magazine, MàJ constitutes an experiment within a nonfiction editorial line focused on societal questions and the diffusion of ideas. As reading habits evolve and the number of readers declines, the publishing house is considering 'strategies that encourage reading' without renouncing editorial rigor. Three to four titles per year are planned.