Decoder with Nilay Patel Recode Decode: Jon Mooallem
May 29, 2020
Jon Mooallem, a writer-at-large for the New York Times Magazine and author of 'This Is Chance!', delves into the 1964 Alaska earthquake and the vital role of radio journalist Genie Chance in uniting the community. He discusses the significance of resilience during crises and draws parallels between Anchorage's recovery and today's responses to COVID-19. The conversation also explores the evolution of storytelling and the challenges of communicating during emergencies in a digital age, emphasizing the power of trusted voices in times of chaos.
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A Forgotten Quake
- Jon Mooallem, despite being well-read, had never heard of the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake.
- This sparked his interest in how stories survive and get told throughout history.
Earthquake Devastation
- The 9.2 magnitude earthquake hit Anchorage, Alaska on Good Friday 1964, lasting 4.5 minutes.
- The quake caused both severe destruction, like a neighborhood sliding off a cliff, and odd damage, like a main street dropping 12 feet.
The Tapes
- Mooallem's interest in Genie Chance stemmed from learning about her continuous 59-hour radio broadcast after the quake.
- Her family's recordings of the broadcast intrigued him, prompting his journalistic pursuit.
