fiction/non/fiction S8 Ep. 26: Alex Higley on True Failure and Shark Tank
Mar 27, 2025
In this engaging conversation, novelist Alex Higley, author of True Failure, delves into the absurdities of modern capitalism through the lens of his protagonist's misguided ambition to impress on a Shark Tank-style show. He explores the emotional refuge of lying, especially in today's political climate, while critiquing the myth of individual success. Higley’s insights on authenticity in reality TV reflect larger societal issues, making this a thought-provoking discussion on truth, deception, and the pressures of visibility.
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Compartmentalization As Everyday Lying
- Alex Higley argues that compartmentalization often functions as everyday lying to manage different social roles.
- He presents these small deceptions as a practical emotional strategy people use to keep going.
Reality TV Tidyfies Capitalism
- Alex Higley criticizes Shark Tank–style shows for presenting entrepreneurship as tidy and narratable.
- He warns that TV frames success as a simple lottery, masking complex economic realities.
The Novel Began In 2015–2016
- Alex Higley began writing True Failure around 2015–2016, before the show's present political moment.
- He recalls that starting point as a different, almost nostalgic, period compared to today.
