I've thought of Mania and shuddered, violently, several times lately watching the idea of experience and expertise be mocked and seeing the opinions of people be elevated for no reason other than their lack of experience and expertise -- demonstrable knowledge is now suspect. How did you know? And what comes next, O Prophet?
'We Need Talk About Kevin' was a very disturbing read. Do you think the nuclear family is the healthiest form of social unit, or is the extended family unit that you find in many places around the world a better environment for children to grow up in?
Sometimes the best thing to say on a debate is nothing but to listen. How can we bring some silence back into debate or even just the phrase "I don't know"?
I'm a big fan of Ms Shriver's work and, observing the goings-on in the White House, recently reread The Mandibles where she employs economic theory and dark humour to critique fiscal irresponsibility, government overreach, and American exceptionalism. Was it a work of fiction or prophesy?
On Islam in the West: The late great Christopher Hitchens' words are often repeated by Douglas Murray and one such mantra is that Muslims and their mullers, Imams and Ayatollahs constantly tell "us", that "they", moderates et al, shall install the Sharia the moment their masses overcome their host nations by 'coercion' or sheer numbers, as mandated by the Koran and using democracy to boot! Will we ever start to listen to them?
Lionel, I've lived in Spain 24yrs and if asked why I answer, for the love of the culture, people, their history and weather. Weather notwithstanding, I never hear the 'like sentiments' from Muslims in Britain, only the the well worn vague concepts spouted of fair play, rule of law and social welfares. Given we are told "by them" Britain is so intolerably racist, unfair, Islamophobic and unwelcoming to them, I can not imagine continuing living here in Spain feeling so hated, feared and despised...How do you feel about "your" adopted home?
Do you share my sense that anti trump liberals are in denial that their political, cultural and social behavior set the table for this populist backlash? Why cant they talk about this important point??
BIG FAN of Lionel Shriver....she's the Tom Wolfe of our era....knows how to send up / size up the woke progressive mentality -- noone does it better in fiction.
Lionel, you are my favorite writer. Your fadcinating books stay with me. Especially The mandibles right now...not an easy read! Where, in that story, are WE right now?
I am reading Atlas Shrugged right now. What are your feelings on this powerful novel by Ayn Rand which seems to mirror the destruction of civilization we are enduring in the world today?
Hi Lionel, you've written and spoken often about life's absurdities and tragedies, which you appear to untangle and rationalise without reference to anything beyond human invention. Do you truly believe that resilience and courage are enough or is there, deep down, a hunger for something more transcendent that rationalism alone can't satisfy? Maybe the reason we ache for meaning — and hunger for love that costs everything — is because we were made for something beyond the absurd?
Maybe this question is a bit cheeky, but I'll ask it anyway: Lionel is a successful author, but why does she believe she's qualified to appear in the media, such as The Spectator's youtube channel, and analyze politics, economics and a host of other issues? Or to put it another way, if Lionel is qualified to appear on international media platforms to comment on these issues, why aren't the rest of us given that opportunity?
Have you watched Adolescence? If yes, what did you think of it? If no, can you still consider yourself an informed individual with opinions worth sharing, bigot?
Trump might try to "de-woke" the federal institutions. It will take a generation!
The woke-brigade will fight back, most probably through the state governments. Which state governments are most susceptible to going more "woke"?
I've thought of Mania and shuddered, violently, several times lately watching the idea of experience and expertise be mocked and seeing the opinions of people be elevated for no reason other than their lack of experience and expertise -- demonstrable knowledge is now suspect. How did you know? And what comes next, O Prophet?
Will America regret voting Donald Trump back into office, and, if so, why?
Can the Democrats find an electable candidate before the next election?
'We Need Talk About Kevin' was a very disturbing read. Do you think the nuclear family is the healthiest form of social unit, or is the extended family unit that you find in many places around the world a better environment for children to grow up in?
Sometimes the best thing to say on a debate is nothing but to listen. How can we bring some silence back into debate or even just the phrase "I don't know"?
I'm a big fan of Ms Shriver's work and, observing the goings-on in the White House, recently reread The Mandibles where she employs economic theory and dark humour to critique fiscal irresponsibility, government overreach, and American exceptionalism. Was it a work of fiction or prophesy?
On Islam in the West: The late great Christopher Hitchens' words are often repeated by Douglas Murray and one such mantra is that Muslims and their mullers, Imams and Ayatollahs constantly tell "us", that "they", moderates et al, shall install the Sharia the moment their masses overcome their host nations by 'coercion' or sheer numbers, as mandated by the Koran and using democracy to boot! Will we ever start to listen to them?
Lionel, I've lived in Spain 24yrs and if asked why I answer, for the love of the culture, people, their history and weather. Weather notwithstanding, I never hear the 'like sentiments' from Muslims in Britain, only the the well worn vague concepts spouted of fair play, rule of law and social welfares. Given we are told "by them" Britain is so intolerably racist, unfair, Islamophobic and unwelcoming to them, I can not imagine continuing living here in Spain feeling so hated, feared and despised...How do you feel about "your" adopted home?
Do you share my sense that anti trump liberals are in denial that their political, cultural and social behavior set the table for this populist backlash? Why cant they talk about this important point??
What advice would you give to less established authors who refuse to follow the diktat to 'stay in their lane'?
BIG FAN of Lionel Shriver....she's the Tom Wolfe of our era....knows how to send up / size up the woke progressive mentality -- noone does it better in fiction.
Lionel, you are my favorite writer. Your fadcinating books stay with me. Especially The mandibles right now...not an easy read! Where, in that story, are WE right now?
I am reading Atlas Shrugged right now. What are your feelings on this powerful novel by Ayn Rand which seems to mirror the destruction of civilization we are enduring in the world today?
Hi Lionel, you've written and spoken often about life's absurdities and tragedies, which you appear to untangle and rationalise without reference to anything beyond human invention. Do you truly believe that resilience and courage are enough or is there, deep down, a hunger for something more transcendent that rationalism alone can't satisfy? Maybe the reason we ache for meaning — and hunger for love that costs everything — is because we were made for something beyond the absurd?
Maybe this question is a bit cheeky, but I'll ask it anyway: Lionel is a successful author, but why does she believe she's qualified to appear in the media, such as The Spectator's youtube channel, and analyze politics, economics and a host of other issues? Or to put it another way, if Lionel is qualified to appear on international media platforms to comment on these issues, why aren't the rest of us given that opportunity?
cheeky indeed! She's a master of depth. I'd be interested to hear any views she had on any subject. I shall have to check out The Spectator online!
Have you watched Adolescence? If yes, what did you think of it? If no, can you still consider yourself an informed individual with opinions worth sharing, bigot?
Oh shit! I haven't watched Adolescence. I guess I'm not a well informed dividual and my opinion is bogited. Just the way I like it🤪👌