In the first episode of a new podcast, Hamish McKenzie talks to George Saunders about harnessing ambition, avoiding social media, and the value of literature
I haven’t listened to the podcast yet, but these highlights were exactly what I needed. Such humility and wisdom and honesty. Also, thanks for the reminder to be on social media less.
I am concerned about the future of literature and the value placed on the novel in our “twittered” society. I have read with our screen addictions we are losing the ability to read complicated works and understand them.
I too am fascinated by my relationship between me and my brain.
One step into a bookstore and see all the new books published each month and week should ease your mind. There’s not enough time in our lives to read everything already and more is continuously in production. Keep reading.
Loved this interview, and as a Story Club member, it was great to hear George describe the community of readers he's collected there so generously. Couldn't recommend his newsletter highly enough.
Thank you so much Hamish and George for this insightful conversation! I was so happy when George spoke about how we create the world with our own minds, how we have choice in the way we frame or reframe things, and how we are most powerful when we are our best selves. It was really beautiful the way you both related these ideas to writing. My own writing life has been transformed by Substack and for this my heartfelt thanks.
I'm listening now and this is an AMAZING format. The content is EXACTLY what I had a taste for, and this is like a comforting stew by the fire. Like my mom's cooking. Encouraging, educational, and just so warm. Thank you for sharing, I'll look forward to more and finally spending more time listening to Story Club. This is a light on the path forward that I've been looking for. Thank you.
Wonderful interview, thanks Hamish! I could listen to George all day. I resonated with many things, especially the insights relating to social media. My happiness quotient improved when I stepped away from Facebook. Both of you, keep up the good work.
This conversation was so life and goodness affirming to me - thanks Hamish and George for beams of wisdom in what can feel like a never ending battle to fend off the encroaching sludge of modern life. Being part of the Story Club community is such a gift. 🙏
This contained everything I needed to hear right now and with the perfect sprinklings of humor mixed in. Totally genuine as well as enlightening, thank you Hamish and George!
This is very valuable to me today! Thanks for sitting down and getting meticulous. I am tempted towards writing a whole essay on why this is so important in the comments but I will try and avoid that.
In the 'On the value of literature' section, I had to go back and read several times because it, to me, sums up what the larger issues we are culturally facing today are. Writing and reading, and you can substitute certain other activities in their place, are therapeutic. The creation and consumption force us to reflect on ourselves and put ourselves in other people's shoes, and that is so key to staying grounded and just generally being a kindness guy. But tv is easier and more addictive, so thats the primary thing most people spend time with, and it shows through shorter attention spans and the demanding of fast answers. I love the way this section laid it all out.
I also appreciate how honest he is with students about if your ambition as a writer is to be known and successful, lean into it and use it. If I'm honest, that is one of the motivating factors for me, but I always feel the need to repress that. Hearing that that isn't an evil thing but instead can help me if channeled is refreshing.
I'll stop there for today, but thank you for this piece, it is what I needed this morning :)
Regarding ambition, I was just having a similar discussion about why the idea of the "starving artist" as noble persists in the comments of an article I wrote about cartoonist Bill Watterson’s refusal to license "Calvin and Hobbes":
Are You “Socially Mad” Or “Capably Glad”?
The Tragedy Of "Dear Mr. Watterson" (2013), And Your Mindset
I haven’t listened to the podcast yet, but these highlights were exactly what I needed. Such humility and wisdom and honesty. Also, thanks for the reminder to be on social media less.
A writer who doesn’t watch their own mind is like a philosopher who refuses to think, a musician who refuses to dream, an artist who refuses to see.
I am concerned about the future of literature and the value placed on the novel in our “twittered” society. I have read with our screen addictions we are losing the ability to read complicated works and understand them.
I too am fascinated by my relationship between me and my brain.
One step into a bookstore and see all the new books published each month and week should ease your mind. There’s not enough time in our lives to read everything already and more is continuously in production. Keep reading.
Yep. Most young people no longer read books, and to the extent they do it’s usually short, ideological stuff.
Yes, they just play games, bro!
Loved this interview, and as a Story Club member, it was great to hear George describe the community of readers he's collected there so generously. Couldn't recommend his newsletter highly enough.
Thank you so much Hamish and George for this insightful conversation! I was so happy when George spoke about how we create the world with our own minds, how we have choice in the way we frame or reframe things, and how we are most powerful when we are our best selves. It was really beautiful the way you both related these ideas to writing. My own writing life has been transformed by Substack and for this my heartfelt thanks.
I'm listening now and this is an AMAZING format. The content is EXACTLY what I had a taste for, and this is like a comforting stew by the fire. Like my mom's cooking. Encouraging, educational, and just so warm. Thank you for sharing, I'll look forward to more and finally spending more time listening to Story Club. This is a light on the path forward that I've been looking for. Thank you.
Jessie H., Illinois
THRILLING!!!
Loved it! What a beautiful and inspiring conversation...thank you!
Absolutely loved this convo with George, thanks Hamish!
Wonderful interview, thanks Hamish! I could listen to George all day. I resonated with many things, especially the insights relating to social media. My happiness quotient improved when I stepped away from Facebook. Both of you, keep up the good work.
This conversation was so life and goodness affirming to me - thanks Hamish and George for beams of wisdom in what can feel like a never ending battle to fend off the encroaching sludge of modern life. Being part of the Story Club community is such a gift. 🙏
This contained everything I needed to hear right now and with the perfect sprinklings of humor mixed in. Totally genuine as well as enlightening, thank you Hamish and George!
Such a great podcast. One of those conversations where you keep skipping back to let stuff sink in. Thanks for sharing.
Pure class. No pu...ok, pun intended.
Fabulous. I am 80 years old. This helped me figure out my monkey brain. Love it
This is very valuable to me today! Thanks for sitting down and getting meticulous. I am tempted towards writing a whole essay on why this is so important in the comments but I will try and avoid that.
In the 'On the value of literature' section, I had to go back and read several times because it, to me, sums up what the larger issues we are culturally facing today are. Writing and reading, and you can substitute certain other activities in their place, are therapeutic. The creation and consumption force us to reflect on ourselves and put ourselves in other people's shoes, and that is so key to staying grounded and just generally being a kindness guy. But tv is easier and more addictive, so thats the primary thing most people spend time with, and it shows through shorter attention spans and the demanding of fast answers. I love the way this section laid it all out.
I also appreciate how honest he is with students about if your ambition as a writer is to be known and successful, lean into it and use it. If I'm honest, that is one of the motivating factors for me, but I always feel the need to repress that. Hearing that that isn't an evil thing but instead can help me if channeled is refreshing.
I'll stop there for today, but thank you for this piece, it is what I needed this morning :)
Regarding ambition, I was just having a similar discussion about why the idea of the "starving artist" as noble persists in the comments of an article I wrote about cartoonist Bill Watterson’s refusal to license "Calvin and Hobbes":
Are You “Socially Mad” Or “Capably Glad”?
The Tragedy Of "Dear Mr. Watterson" (2013), And Your Mindset
https://moviewise.substack.com/p/are-you-socially-mad-or-capably-glad