It was most unexpected, but most welcome. I’ve been nominated by Prospect magazine as one of “25 thinkers for a world on the brink”. “Kenan Malik… earns a spot on this year’s list because of his refreshing approach to culture war issues”, Prospect writes. “Where many writers fall into knee-jerk tribalism on modern questions of identity – or are afraid to engage with them at all – Malik marshals reason and nuance to make an argument that will challenge both sides of the culture war divide.” It concludes: “Not all readers will agree [with Malik]. But that is the point: Malik is someone worth disagreeing with.”

My thanks to Prospect, it’s an honour to be on this list alongside the likes of Sam Altman, Geoffrey Hinton, Samuel Moyn, Amia Srinivasan, Quinn Slobodian, Anil Seth and Stefanie Stantcheva (as well, as some more questionable names – but that’s the point of a list such as this: it’s something to disagree with as well as one to nod along in approval).

And you also get to vote for the person you think is most deserving of the accolade. So do vote!