Seema Goswami, a journalist, editor, columnist, and novelist, joins Amit Varma to discuss various topics including societal expectations on appearance, the objectification of women, desires and societal pressures, the decline of journalism, perceptions of time and aging, and the challenges of writing fiction. They also touch on dating in the modern world and share book and film recommendations.
The speaker had a diverse reading habit from a young age, enjoying authors like Enid Blyton, George Bernard Shaw, and James Hadley Chase.
The speaker reflects on their parents' relationship and how their upbringing influenced their own childhood experiences.
Writing on a computer has become easier for the speaker over the years, allowing thoughts to flow more easily than writing by hand.
The media landscape has shifted with digital platforms, allowing for more diverse voices to emerge and challenging traditional media.
Journalism has transformed with the rise of digital media, emphasizing narrative battles and audience engagement, while legacy media struggles to adapt.
Deep dives
Childhood in Calcutta
Growing up in Calcutta, the speaker had an idyllic childhood with minimal supervision and the freedom to explore. They spent their time reading books from lending libraries and developed an eclectic reading habit. They enjoyed Enid Blyton's books and authors like George Bernard Shaw and James Hadley Chase. The speaker also reflects on the privilege of being uninhibited and unsupervised at home.
Understanding Parents
The speaker reflects on their parents' relationship, recognizing that as a child, they only saw their parents as parents and never thought about their relationship with each other. They speculate on the impact of their parents' own upbringings on their parenting style and how it influenced their own childhood experiences. The speaker wonders about their own relationship with their parents and how it changed as they grew older.
Love for Literature
The speaker had a profound love for literature from a young age. They read a wide range of books, including history, plays by George Bernard Shaw, Nancy Drew books, and thrillers by authors like James Hadley Chase. Their love for reading continued to shape their reading habits throughout their life.
Adapting to changing technology and writing habits
When I started writing, I would write everything longhand and then type it on a typewriter. But over the years, I have found it easier to write on a laptop. Writing on a computer helps my thoughts flow more easily, and I have transitioned away from writing by hand. I also find reading news stories on my phone more convenient than reading printed newspapers.
Evolution of Media Landscape and Democratization of Voices
The media landscape has evolved significantly, with digital platforms allowing more people to enter the space and share their voices. This democratization of voices has widened the range of viewpoints and perspectives available to consumers. While legacy media still holds influence, newer voices are emerging and challenging the traditional media establishment. The shift from traditional to digital media has its advantages, including a greater diversity of voices, but also comes with challenges. It is important for journalists to stay agile and adaptable in this changing landscape, finding new ways to reach and engage audiences. Additionally, the rise of social media and online platforms has transformed how news and information are consumed, making it crucial for journalists to adapt and connect with their audiences through these channels.
The Transformation and Challenges of Modern Journalism
Journalism has undergone a significant transformation due to the rise of digital media and shifting consumer preferences. The traditional notion of journalistic truth and integrity has been challenged, and there is now a greater emphasis on narrative battles and capturing attention rather than pursuing truth. Legacy media outlets have struggled to adapt to these changes and maintain their relevance. At the same time, new voices are emerging in the digital space, offering fresh perspectives and opportunities for independent journalism. However, this fragmentation of media also brings challenges, such as the spread of misinformation and the need for readers to navigate through various sources to access reliable information. In this changing landscape, journalists must find ways to maintain journalistic values, build trust, and engage with audiences effectively.
The Impact of Social Media and New Platforms on Media Consumption
The rise of social media and digital platforms has fundamentally altered how people consume news and information. Legacy media outlets have seen declining readership as younger generations turn to social media and online sources for news. The ability to choose specific sources and personalize content has led to a fragmentation of media consumption. However, this freedom of choice also raises concerns about filter bubbles and echo chambers, limiting exposure to diverse viewpoints. Additionally, the prevalence of algorithm-driven recommendations and the spread of misinformation pose challenges for media consumers. It is important for individuals to be discerning and critical in their media consumption, seeking reliable sources and engaging with a variety of viewpoints to ensure a well-rounded understanding of important issues.
Engaging with the Political Space
The podcast episode explores the author's experience of retreating from the political space due to its depressing nature and the feeling of helplessness. While the author has been an engaged citizen through her journalism, she admits to feeling that her views and opinions no longer matter in the current political climate. However, certain issues like the money power controversy still anger her and draw her back into the political space, even if she doesn't want to be there. The author expresses her sense of disappointment that people who share her views seem to have become marginalized and neglected in the country.
Intimate and Meaningful Friendships
The podcast delves into the importance of friendships in the author's life. She values her deep and intimate friendships with women, considering herself to be a 'girl's girl.' While she has friends from different phases and aspects of her life, she cherishes those friendships that have endured over time. The author makes it a point to regularly meet up with her friends for lunch or coffee, and the friendships are maintained through WhatsApp. She acknowledges that friendships have shaped her more than her fiction writing, and she relishes the joy of sharing meals and conversations with her friends.
