"Babel and the Hugos: A Closer Look"
The 2023 Hugo Awards have sparked controversy with the disqualification of potential nominees, including R.F. Kuang's novel Babel, leading to speculation of state censorship, particularly from China. Suggestions for potential remedies include extending eligibility for affected works and nominees, proposing disqualification transparency, and considering the impact of state censorship on future Worldcon site selections. The situation has raised concerns about freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights in relation to Worldcon locations, prompting a call for more clarity and potential rule changes in the future.