Michael Lewis, an acclaimed journalist and author of bestsellers like "Moneyball" and "The Big Short", dives into his latest book about Sam Bankman-Fried and the enigmatic world of cryptocurrency. He shares insights on transitioning from Wall Street to writing and the emotional intricacies of modern journalism. The discussion also touches on the challenges of portraying real-life figures and navigating fame after literary success, alongside reflections on his creative journey and the importance of originality in storytelling.
Michael Lewis discusses his transition from finance to writing, emphasizing the role of serendipity in discovering compelling narratives.
In 'Going Infinite', he reflects on the challenge of depicting Sam Bankman-Fried's emotional landscape to convey a relatable story.
Lewis reveals his innovative profit-sharing model with publishers, demonstrating the importance of aligning financial incentives with creative integrity.
Deep dives
New Offer for Supporters
A major overhaul of the crowdfunding initiative on Patreon is announced, focusing on providing supporters of the show with a comprehensive collection of successful journalistic pitches. This expanded package, exceeding 100 pages, features pitches that have proven to be effective in getting articles commissioned by prestigious outlets such as The New York Times and The Guardian. Monthly contributors will receive access to this unique resource, allowing aspiring writers to learn from battle-tested examples. The initiative also encourages contributions from listeners with successful pitches, ensuring the collection remains dynamic and valuable.
Insight into Michael Lewis
The podcast features an engaging discussion with journalist Michael Lewis, who delves into his career journey from finance to writing. He reflects on the serendipitous moment when he met Sam Bankman-Fried, which sparked his interest in writing about the cryptocurrency world, specifically through the lens of his book 'Going Infinite'. Lewis describes capturing Bankman-Fried's peculiar character and motivation, revealing the complexity of his subject while highlighting the broader implications of financial trust and ethics in modern society. The conversation illustrates how Lewis navigated the challenging process of transforming his initial curiosity into a compelling narrative.
Challenges of Writing about Emotion
Michael Lewis discusses the difficulties he encountered while trying to portray Sam Bankman-Fried's emotional landscape in 'Going Infinite'. He notes that Bankman-Fried's inability to express emotions or connect with others posed a challenge for Lewis in crafting a relatable and engaging narrative. Despite these obstacles, he found that not developing a personal relationship did not hinder his ability to extract valuable insights about Bankman-Fried’s life and decisions. The discussion emphasizes how understanding a subject's emotional complexity is crucial for effective storytelling, especially when emotions are not openly displayed.
Strategic Exclusions in Writing
The decision to forgo elaborate explanations of cryptocurrency and related concepts in 'Going Infinite' is explored. Lewis asserts that such explanations would detract from the real focus of his book, which is about Sam Bankman-Fried and his journey rather than a comprehensive guide to crypto. By prioritizing the narrative over technical details, Lewis engages readers without overwhelming them with jargon, simplifying their experience while heightening their understanding of the story at hand. He conveys that successful storytelling often involves discerning what details enhance the narrative and what can be omitted without loss.
Commercial Success and Incentives
In reflecting on his evolved publishing model, Michael Lewis highlights the shift from traditional advances to a profit-sharing approach with his publisher. This restructuring emerged from his desire to align financial incentives and cultivate a collaborative relationship that fosters better decision-making regarding marketing and promotion. By sharing profits rather than simply earning a fixed advance, Lewis feels empowered to maintain a creative honesty that prioritizes reader engagement and quality over mere sales figures. This innovative method of partnership demonstrates the importance of aligning interests in the literary world to enhance both creativity and fiscal success.
Simon and Rachel speak with journalist and author Michael Lewis. Michael grew up in New Orleans and in the 1980s he worked on Wall Street. His first book "Liar's Poker" (1989) relates his experience at the investment bank Salomon Brothers. His subsequent books include "Moneyball" (2003), ostensibly about baseball but also about the way markets value people, "The Blind Side" (2006) about a black teenager taken in by a white evangelical family who becomes an American football player, and "Flash Boys" (2014) about the legal - but questionable - practice of high-frequency trading. Michael's writing has also appeared in Vanity Fair, the New Republic, and Bloomberg. We spoke to Michael about moving from finance to writing, his subsequent books, and his most recent project, "Going Infinite", on the rise and fall of crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried.
A new edition of “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World’s Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is available now. The updated version now includes insights from over 100 past guests on the podcast, with new contributions from Harlan Coben, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, Megan Nolan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Philippa Gregory, Jo Nesbø, Paul Theroux, Hisham Matar and Bettany Hughes. You can order it via Amazon or Waterstones.
You can find us online at alwaystakenotes.com, on Twitter @takenotesalways and on Instagram @alwaystakenotes. Our crowdfunding page is patreon.com/alwaystakenotes. Always Take Notes is presented by Simon Akam and Rachel Lloyd, and produced by Artemis Irvine. Our music is by Jessica Dannheisser and our logo was designed by James Edgar.
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