Last week I heard an interview with David Byrne by Terry Gross on Fresh Air and he mentioned his own suspicions about being on the spectrum, something he has considered ever since a friend suggested it to him. It manifested itself as intense focus on creative endeavors often at the expense of personal relationships with others. He didn't feel the need to get a formal diagnosis, because he felt basically content with his life. I think he used the word "happy."
When Eva says: “There was something very wrong with Susan,” could it have been a form of autism?
I am not a psychologist, but one thing that always struck me is how many people tried to figure her out. Her behavior haunted people. She was constantly saying and doing things that normal people just don’t say and do. She hurt lots of people, and Eva was one of those people.”
I felt as if I were an unseen presence there. Really marvelous interview. Certainly didn't make me a Sontag fan. Brilliance can go to hell when a sadist dispenses it. Then again nothing better than a brilliant villain. I loved that Clarisse was such a loved person. Her trauma/agony was released in words. It's funny how nasty people with happy childhoods can be🕶. I loved your work on Lispector. It was like having a tour guide through her difficult work(The Chicken and the Egg, which is one of my favorite stories because of the explosion near the end. I read it aloud to this tiresome writer who nearly lost her mind through the first 2/3ds of the egg biz.)
Nov 19, 2023·edited Nov 19, 2023Liked by Benjamin Moser
So very, very interesting (and fun). I love that it's not, as far as I can tell, cleaned up - all the false starts, incomplete sentences, ongoing chain of "no's," etc. left "intact." Such a vivid conversation! Thank you!
I love reading this, first thing out of bed this morning. So important to remember we can all hold many complex truths at once. Ambivalence is an interesting jumping off point for deep contemplation.
"It took away some of the joy to be with someone if they’re always thinking of their epitaph", arrasou
Last week I heard an interview with David Byrne by Terry Gross on Fresh Air and he mentioned his own suspicions about being on the spectrum, something he has considered ever since a friend suggested it to him. It manifested itself as intense focus on creative endeavors often at the expense of personal relationships with others. He didn't feel the need to get a formal diagnosis, because he felt basically content with his life. I think he used the word "happy."
“The word is: “spectrum.”
When Eva says: “There was something very wrong with Susan,” could it have been a form of autism?
I am not a psychologist, but one thing that always struck me is how many people tried to figure her out. Her behavior haunted people. She was constantly saying and doing things that normal people just don’t say and do. She hurt lots of people, and Eva was one of those people.”
Important reflection-- thank you.
I felt as if I were an unseen presence there. Really marvelous interview. Certainly didn't make me a Sontag fan. Brilliance can go to hell when a sadist dispenses it. Then again nothing better than a brilliant villain. I loved that Clarisse was such a loved person. Her trauma/agony was released in words. It's funny how nasty people with happy childhoods can be🕶. I loved your work on Lispector. It was like having a tour guide through her difficult work(The Chicken and the Egg, which is one of my favorite stories because of the explosion near the end. I read it aloud to this tiresome writer who nearly lost her mind through the first 2/3ds of the egg biz.)
So very, very interesting (and fun). I love that it's not, as far as I can tell, cleaned up - all the false starts, incomplete sentences, ongoing chain of "no's," etc. left "intact." Such a vivid conversation! Thank you!
I love reading this, first thing out of bed this morning. So important to remember we can all hold many complex truths at once. Ambivalence is an interesting jumping off point for deep contemplation.
This is great, thank you Benjamin!