David Bezmozgis joins Deborah Treisman to discuss 'Likes' by Sarah Shun-lien Bynum, exploring themes of parenthood, digital culture, and generational perspectives on technology. The podcast delves into a father's reflections on his daughter's Instagram use amidst the 2016 election context, highlighting the challenges and nuances of contemporary parenting roles.
Parenting in the digital age poses challenges of understanding and connection with adolescents.
Navigating physical health issues and emotional struggles reveals complexities of parental relationships.
Interpreting online personas and symbolic gestures can lead to heartfelt moments of understanding and unity.
Deep dives
Father's Confusion and Concern
The father feels out of touch with his daughter as he scrolls through her Instagram, observing her posts and interactions. He picks her up from physical therapy, feeling responsible for her joint problems. Their communication struggles are evident, with the daughter sometimes feeling misunderstood, leading to moments of tension and misinterpretation.
Contemporary Parenting Challenges
The story delves into the challenges of parenting a tween amid the backdrop of technological advancements and the 2016 election. The father navigates his daughter's online presence, physical health issues, and emotional struggles, highlighting the complexities faced by parents trying to connect with their children in a rapidly changing world.
Themes of Adolescence and Connection
Through the daughter's actions and the father's observations, themes of adolescence and familial connection emerge. The narrative captures the daughter's search for identity, the father's attempts to understand her, and their shared moments of vulnerability and attempts at communication amidst the complexities of modern-day parenting.
The Father's Concern for His Daughter's Behavior
The podcast episode delves into the father's inner turmoil as he grapples with his daughter's changing behavior, questioning whether it is a typical phase of adolescence or something more serious. He struggles to understand the shift in their relationship, particularly her sudden withdrawal from communication. Using clues from her Instagram feed, he attempts to decipher her true feelings and thoughts, highlighting the challenges of parenting in the modern age where online personas may not reflect reality.
The Ending's Symbolism and Connection Between Father and Daughter
The podcast explores the poignant ending of the story, where the daughter's actions via Instagram photos create a profound impact on the father. Through a symbolic image resembling a car crash aftermath, she communicates her emotions in a unique way that resonates with him. This moment of connection, facilitated by a simple gesture on social media, signifies a deeper understanding and bond between them, ultimately leading to a rare moment of unity and reassurance amidst the father's worries and uncertainties.
David Bezmozgis joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “Likes,” by Sarah Shun-lien Bynum, which was published in The New Yorker in 2017. Bezmozgis is a filmmaker and writer. He has published two story collections and two novels, “The Free World,” which was a finalist for the Governor General's Award and the Giller Prize, and “The Betrayers,” which won the National Jewish Book Award. He was also chosen as one of The New Yorker's 20 Under 40 in 2010.
