While I walked through the neighborhood this morning, I listened to The Ezra Klein Show podcast with Margaret Atwood. LINK
Much of the conversation was interesting, as they talked about her visits to East Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Poland while germinating “The Handmaiden” in the 80’s. They talked about Utopia versus Dystopia and why there is much writing about the latter and very little about the former–something I have heard Neal Stephenson mention as well. Atwood said that she teaches a workshop about how to write a Utopian story. Ezra Klein mentioned a book by Becky Chambers that fit the bill. The book is called “A Psalm for the Wild-Built – A Monk and Robot Book”. At home I looked up the book and borrowed it from the library. A monk, a robot, wilderness… it’s gotta be good, right?! :-)
yes- Have to let us know what you think about the book.
a far cry from what i am reading – humanitarian MD witnessing war, genocide, dealing with ngo’s , governments . Just reading the book – feel shell shocked ! …this deeply tangled mess. But there are some golden stories too – huge courage by parents and some extraordinary words of wisdom from the dying, powerless.
utopia – may be a fantasy.
Artists especially musicians have the influence, reach, power and magic to make a real difference.
may already listen to sam –
has some interesting podcast. like his thinking.
https://www.samharris.org/