

Are Americans Addicted to Conflict?
Oct 8, 2025
Lionel Shriver, acclaimed novelist known for works like We Need to Talk About Kevin, discusses how society interprets tragedies, particularly in light of recent events. She critiques the notion of assigning meaning to violence while reflecting on the dangers of political polarization and the rise of 'political religion.' Shriver shares her views on immigration, expressing concerns about cultural assimilation, and hints at themes from her upcoming novel, A Better Life, which tackles the complexities of the migrant crisis.
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Recovery From Debilitating Illness
- Lionel Shriver described recovering from major back surgery that triggered Guillain-Barré syndrome and left her physically incapacitated.
- She rebuilt muscularly from near infancy and now can stand and exercise again.
Don't Inflate Tragedies' Meaning
- Shriver warns against overinterpreting tragic events and giving perpetrators outsized historical significance.
- She argues sometimes tragedies simply don't mean anything and we should refuse to accord them excessive importance.
Conflict Becomes Cultural Glue
- Living in Northern Ireland taught Shriver that societies can become dependent on conflict for identity and meaning.
- That dependency makes ending violence harder because people rely on polarization to define themselves.