Conversations with Tyler

Cynthia L. Haven on René Girard, Czeslaw Milosz, and Joseph Brodsky

Aug 24, 2022

Cynthia Haven, a Stanford visiting scholar and biographer of literary giants like René Girard, Czeslaw Milosz, and Joseph Brodsky, shares profound insights from her mentors. She discusses the significance of exile in shaping their works and the complexities of their identities. The conversation dives into Girard’s theories on mimesis, the relevance of Milosz in today's academic landscape, and Brodsky's views on cultural identity. Cynthia also reflects on her transition from reporting to philosophy, offering personal anecdotes amid critiques of social media and conformity.

44:58

Creator website

Episode guests

Cynthia L. Haven

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Girard's Talent as a Thinker

00:29

How Did Milose's Theory of Intellectuals Explain American Intellectuals?

01:03

What's the account of Craving the Bad?

01:39

Intro

2min

Exile, Identity, and Mimesis

10min

Mentorship and the Complexity of Influence

10min

Nature, Identity, and Translation

3min

From Reporting to Philosophy

3min

Reflections on Theatre, Fashion, and Travel

2min

Exploring Travel and Intellectual Discourse

15min

As a little girl, Cynthia Haven loved reading classic works of literature. At sixteen, she began her career as a reporter. And years later, those two interests converged as they led her to interview and write books about three writers and thinkers whom she also came to call mentors: René Girard, Czeslaw Milosz, and Joseph Brodsky.

Cynthia joined Tyler to discuss what she’s gleaned from each of the three, including what traits they have in common, why her biography of Girard had to come from outside academia, Milosz’s reaction to the Berkley Free Speech Movement, Girard’s greatest talent—and flaw—as a thinker, whether Brodsky will fall down the memory hole, why he was so terrible on Ukraine, why Cynthia’s early career was much like The Devil Wears Prada, the failings of Twitter, and more.

Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links.

Recorded May 18th, 2022 Other ways to connect

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