George Saunders, professional author, shares advice on creating work that sticks and receiving feedback. He discusses his winding path to success and the importance of iterating and rewriting. The podcast also explores embracing uncertainty in writing, advocacy for inclusion, the worst piece of writing advice, and the potential dangers of AI in creative arts.
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Quick takeaways
George Saunders emphasizes the value of kindness, its connection to empathy, and how small acts of kindness can make a significant impact.
Saunders argues against banning books and encourages the development of robust reading habits to counteract fear and promote intellectual growth.
Deep dives
George Saunders' Journey to Becoming a Writer
George Saunders, an acclaimed writer known for his short stories and novels, reflects on his early career path, which included working various odd jobs before committing to writing. He shares his experience of stumbling into writing, seeking the accoutrements of a writing life, and finally realizing his passion for storytelling. Saunders discusses the importance of patience, persistence, and honing one's writing skills over time.
George Saunders' Speech on Regrets and Kindness
Saunders delves into the origin of his famous graduation speech about regrets and kindness. He explains how he initially wrote the speech for his daughter's graduation, from a sincere place, reflecting on a personal regret from his youth. Later, when he gave the speech at a university ceremony, it unexpectedly went viral. Saunders emphasizes the value of kindness, its connection to empathy, and how small acts of kindness can make a significant impact.
The Notion of Belonging and Inclusion in the Workplace
Brian Reeves, an advocate for belonging in the workplace, emphasizes the importance of creating a culture of belonging in order to foster inclusivity. He highlights the idea that belonging is a foundation for inclusion and advocates for expanding empathy and concern for others. Reeves aims to shift awareness into advocacy and eventually create a more equitable society where everyone has equal opportunities.
Challenging Book Bans and Embracing Uncomfortable Ideas
The conversation touches on the topic of book bans and the importance of embracing and engaging with uncomfortable ideas. Saunders makes the case for open-mindedness and critical thinking, highlighting the role of literature in expanding perspectives and honing analytical skills. He argues against banning books and encourages the development of robust reading habits to counteract fear and promote intellectual growth.
Before his stories regularly appeared in The New Yorker, before the MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellowships, and before being named one of the world’s most influential people by TIME, George Saunders was a roofer. And a doorman. And a technical writer. In this episode, George sits down with Adam and shares what he’s learned from his winding path towards becoming a professional author, the secrets of creating work that sticks, and how to receive feedback and elevate our rough drafts.
Available transcripts for WorkLife can be found at go.ted.com/WLtranscripts
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