Practice 'holy befuddlement' to navigate relationships effectively by embracing uncertainty and non-attachment to fixed beliefs.
Utilize multiple viewpoints in narratives to induce empathy and challenge fixed perspectives, fostering a nuanced understanding of differing experiences.
Maintain a healthy relationship with oneself by balancing self-identity with detachment, recognizing the impermanent nature of the self.
Deep dives
Holy Buffolement and Non-Attachment to Views
The antidote to entrenched views and cognitive empathy issues is holy buffolement according to George Saunders. This concept involves not clinging to views and remaining open to uncertainty. By practicing 'holy buffolement,' individuals can navigate arguments and personal relationships more effectively by embracing non-attachment to fixed beliefs.
Empathy through Fictional Perspectives
Shifting perspectives in stories not only adds depth but also induces empathy in readers. George Saunders utilizes multiple viewpoints within a narrative to break from limiting narrative control, allowing readers to empathize with varied characters and challenging fixed viewpoints. This technique fosters a nuanced understanding of differing experiences.
Balancing Self-Appreciation and Non-Attachment
Saunders discusses the balance between valuing the self and avoiding excessive attachment to it. While acknowledging the importance of self-identity and appreciation, he emphasizes the need to avoid rigid identification with the self. By recognizing the impermanent nature of the self and practicing detachment, individuals can cultivate a healthier relationship with themselves and their external experiences.
Incorporating Ideas into Writing
The speaker emphasizes the importance of treating ideas as temporary gifts that may need to be adjusted or removed from one's writing. By viewing these ideas as transient and subject to change, one can maintain a detached and adaptive approach to writing, allowing for seamless integration and potential removal if needed.
Creativity and Dream Inspiration
The podcast delves into the significance of creativity and ideation inspired by dreams. The guest shares a personal experience where a story idea came to him in a dream, leading to a burst of creativity and immediate writing clarity. This unique occurrence highlighted the mysterious and awe-inspiring nature of creativity and the brain's capacity to unlock new realms of storytelling potential.
One of the great perils and problems of our age is that we sometimes become too entrenched in our views and attached to being right.
According to guest George Saunders, the antidote is something he calls “holy befuddlement.”
George Saunders is the author of eleven books, including Lincoln in the Bardo, which won the 2017 Man Booker Prize for best work of fiction in English. His most recent book, Liberation Day, is a collection of short stories that explore the ideas of power, ethics, and justice, cutting to the heart of what it means to live in community with our fellow humans.
In this episode we talk about:
How George Saunders creates “holy befuddlement” in himself and in his readers
How shaving down dogmatism can help us be, in his words, less of a “turd”
How to deal with heightened expectations we might have of ourselves
Healthy ways to enjoy praise
What it looks like to cultivate a relationship with our self, to the extent that the self exists
The importance of moral ambiguity in his work
The impact of meditating – or not meditating – on our creative work