George Mombiot, when talking about hope, says that we should begin by preaching to the choir. So, when we feel disenfranchised or disempowered by large corporations and lobby groups and deaf bureaucracy, we should just tell our friends and family, our social media contacts, etc. because this builds grass root momentum and movements grow from the bottom up.
The story of the books and the trees brought me to tears. I hope the trees are still there too, I hope Norway is still there, I hope the books are still there and I hope we still know how to read. 😢😢😢
It's amazing and deeply eerie, how Margaret Atwood's book, Handmaid's Tale, transpired in reality, in America (Roe Vs Wade. Open Society Smashed By It's Enemies)
What a courageous and talented woman Margaret Atwood is. She shines her light brightly and is a beacon of hope for what we all strive for; equality, empathy, compassion and sustainability. Values that are inherent in us all but are sometimes overshadowed by a minority of broken insecure people (mainly men) who sadly shout louder in a desperate need to feel valued. Keep shining your light Margaret. 🙏
Margaret Atwood writes speculative fiction, a genre that I love very much. I’ve been a student of spec-fic since ~ 1982, when I found a novella called “The Big Front Yard” by Clifford D. Simak. It was love at first read. Since then I’ve immersed myself in the short fiction of spec-fic’s Golden Age, roughly 1930ish to 1970ish, with outliers. And my life has never been the same. There are so many “A-ha!” moments, so many great questions, so many ideas that expand the reader’s mind and make them think.
I may hate the word “Hope”, it’s just useless in every way, except as a lie, like a temporary ceasefire. “It’s just what we do” is my train of thought, because when we “hope” we become listless, we need to move, to make that happen. What’s the matter with saying “because it needs to be done, and I’m the one to do it”? Takes out all the excuses to shrug it off. Of course some things are out of our sphere, and for them I say, send your love, lots of love, and often.
Jack London wrote 'The Iron Heel' that with 'We' part inspired '1984'. After 'The Iron Heel' they withdrew all his books from the public libraries. Jack wrote 'The Purple Plague' on a plague sweeping humanity away apart from very few survivors. The tale is told by an old-old man living among those survivors who've descended into savagery. A terrific long short story I recommend. Jack also wrote 'The People of the Abyss' that inspired 'Down and out in Paris and London.' "The People of the Abyss' is the better book. "The Iron Heel' no. Great flaws. But in a few aspects such as on the Union reactions et al it is better than '1984.' Jack also tried to institute green plants and a green way of growing on his ranch. I do not know any Purple Cloud. Are you confusing that with the excellent 'The Purple Plague' or was that a Hoyle story? I am also convinced Jack's short story 'The Mexican' inspired 'Rocky.' Jack was fascinated by boxing and sparred with the greatest fighters of his period including the great black boxer. See his 'The Road' for travels through the underside of the US of his time. Enlightening and frightening. The character London in Steinbck's 'In Dubious Battle' is a testimonial to Jack. Jack wrote many great short stories. A great humanist also a racist coming out of his racism in his final years. A great shame he did not live to be old but he was just burning himself up so fast.
“Collective fiction” could also apply to religion. OK, who else, on hearing Margaret’s phrase, “collective fiction” to describe money immediately also thought of religion? And then the next thought on is, well, aren’t these historically the two most socially useful inventions? And haven’t they now both become the most destructive inventions both socially and environmentally?
If you put a cat in a hat and put it on your head it may cure your headache but I'm pretty sure you would need a lot of stitches. I'd love to see it though.. I love a good laugh!
Lovely interview with a wise, funny and clever writer.
Just wonderful!!!
George Mombiot, when talking about hope, says that we should begin by preaching to the choir. So, when we feel disenfranchised or disempowered by large corporations and lobby groups and deaf bureaucracy, we should just tell our friends and family, our social media contacts, etc. because this builds grass root momentum and movements grow from the bottom up.
The story of the books and the trees brought me to tears. I hope the trees are still there too, I hope Norway is still there, I hope the books are still there and I hope we still know how to read. 😢😢😢
This amazing woman is so perfectly atuned to reality it’s mesmerizing to watch her speak. Her work and her mind are irreplaceable.
It's amazing and deeply eerie, how Margaret Atwood's book, Handmaid's Tale, transpired in reality, in America (Roe Vs Wade. Open Society Smashed By It's Enemies)
What a courageous and talented woman Margaret Atwood is. She shines her light brightly and is a beacon of hope for what we all strive for; equality, empathy, compassion and sustainability.
Values that are inherent in us all but are sometimes overshadowed by a minority of broken insecure people (mainly men) who sadly shout louder in a desperate need to feel valued.
Keep shining your light Margaret. 🙏
so brilliant!!
Brilliant far-seeing woman by seeing now and knowing literature and history. I belong to 7 environmental groups and Amnesty.
brilliant 💌💌💌
Margaret Atwood writes speculative fiction, a genre that I love very much. I’ve been a student of spec-fic since ~ 1982, when I found a novella called “The Big Front Yard” by Clifford D. Simak. It was love at first read. Since then I’ve immersed myself in the short fiction of spec-fic’s Golden Age, roughly 1930ish to 1970ish, with outliers. And my life has never been the same. There are so many “A-ha!” moments, so many great questions, so many ideas that expand the reader’s mind and make them think.
29:43 definition of speculative fiction, this woman is brilliant
What a beautiful and erudite lady. I love her reticence for being a role model
She is just brilliant. I could listen to her talk for hours.
She is “LITERALLY” haha My Rockstar!
Love MA. She looks just like my Grandma!
I may hate the word “Hope”, it’s just useless in every way, except as a lie, like a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s just what we do” is my train of thought, because when we “hope” we become listless, we need to move, to make that happen.
What’s the matter with saying “because it needs to be done, and I’m the one to do it”?
Takes out all the excuses to shrug it off. Of course some things are out of our sphere, and for them I say, send your love, lots of love, and often.
Jack London wrote 'The Iron Heel' that with 'We' part inspired '1984'. After 'The Iron Heel' they withdrew all his books from the public libraries. Jack wrote 'The Purple Plague' on a plague sweeping humanity away apart from very few survivors. The tale is told by an old-old man living among those survivors who've descended into savagery. A terrific long short story I recommend. Jack also wrote 'The People of the Abyss' that inspired 'Down and out in Paris and London.' "The People of the Abyss' is the better book. "The Iron Heel' no. Great flaws. But in a few aspects such as on the Union reactions et al it is better than '1984.' Jack also tried to institute green plants and a green way of growing on his ranch. I do not know any Purple Cloud. Are you confusing that with the excellent 'The Purple Plague' or was that a Hoyle story? I am also convinced Jack's short story 'The Mexican' inspired 'Rocky.' Jack was fascinated by boxing and sparred with the greatest fighters of his period including the great black boxer. See his 'The Road' for travels through the underside of the US of his time. Enlightening and frightening. The character London in Steinbck's 'In Dubious Battle' is a testimonial to Jack. Jack wrote many great short stories. A great humanist also a racist coming out of his racism in his final years. A great shame he did not live to be old but he was just burning himself up so fast.
Nice post, informative 👍 thank you!
Tibetan throat singing is healing as well.
Actually I'm a new reader of hers.
She thinks on a higher plane than most.
The content is great, but the audio is insufferable.
“Collective fiction” could also apply to religion.
OK, who else, on hearing Margaret’s phrase, “collective fiction” to describe money immediately also thought of religion?
And then the next thought on is, well, aren’t these historically the two most socially useful inventions? And haven’t they now both become the most destructive inventions both socially and environmentally?
If you put a cat in a hat and put it on your head it may cure your headache but I'm pretty sure you would need a lot of stitches. I'd love to see it though.. I love a good laugh!
9:04 Weigh Bull?...Webull (investing). Interesting.
She is not correct about the origin of ER.
Thunberg is separate.
Lack of algae and use of cellphones while driving.