Margaret has the most beautiful dry intelligent sense of humour, very Canadian. Thanks Jon for this thoughtful interview.
@JohnTLyon
Жыл бұрын
Ms. Atwood is a prime example of what the objective, analytical mind can achieve. I have admired her for years both as a writer and a critical thinker. This is one of Jon's best interviews and shows why Pod Save America is at the top of the heap in podcasts!👌✌👍
@AlerieHightower
Жыл бұрын
If I am a fraction of this sharp, this incisive, this witty and this insightful at 83, I will count myself lucky, indeed. What a fantastic interview. You could tell there was a mutual rapport there, so well done, Favs!
@David-ng7cr
Жыл бұрын
@Daniel E. Sorry that you are not capable of deep thinking.
@kathleenlandolt5936
Жыл бұрын
@Daniel E. You seem to have an unfavorable opinion of Ms. Atwood. Can you expand on that beyond the eye-rolling emogi?
@kacodemonio
Жыл бұрын
@@kathleenlandolt5936 Don't bother, Gilead cultists have lost the capacity of verbal communication.
@kathleenlandolt5936
Жыл бұрын
@@kacodemonio 😄 You're apparently right! It's been two months since I asked that question, and there's still no response.
@opheliajadefeldt9123
Жыл бұрын
What a wonderful lady, why is not the world full of women like her.
@progressivedragon6664
Жыл бұрын
Omg she has been my favorite author for 35 years!!! Oryx and crake has been my all-time favorite book since it was published
@Mellyouttaphase
Жыл бұрын
Scrolling through the comments to find someone else that mentioned the Maddaddam series. Why does nobody talk about it? At first glance it’s so whacked out and then it seeps in and creeps up on you. Utterly brilliant!
@cynthiawarner9468
Жыл бұрын
Such a great interview, very witty and smart and funny. Ms. Atwood is amazing. She doesn't seem O.L.D. she"s just delightful.
@terireed3740
Жыл бұрын
This was extremely enjoyable. Ms. Atwood you are far from the word not to be spoken. Keep young, keep ageing ( for the alternative really is grim), and please keep imparting your knowledge..at least when solicited.
@dianewhalen9721
Жыл бұрын
Great Conversation.I love the way Margaret Atwood thinks .She is not .”OLD” in her thinking.
@elizabethannegrey6285
Жыл бұрын
Absolutely brilliant! (and I almost fancy the dog food).
@liamshaughnessy6246
Жыл бұрын
I love all of the Grimm Fairy Tales lol ❤😂😅😮😢!
@changurr2705
Жыл бұрын
Dear Ms. Atwood -yer da bomb:) I love your noveld. I read robbe bride in a boat in the midde of the atlantic. such an awesome tale ! Hand maids tale will assure your place with Orwell as a great dystopian writer telling us to look. kisses/bisous. please live long and write. your are a blessing .
@kimbradshaw1480
Жыл бұрын
OMG this woman is an international treasure. Pure distilled wisdom, leavened with humour. We need to clone her!
@pl414
Жыл бұрын
Well, she certainlyis a Canadian national treasure.
@judithrochon7837
Жыл бұрын
@@pl414ditto, she is ours.
@davidsprouse151
Жыл бұрын
@@judithrochon7837 Let's clone her!
@afreezaphorogiancossack2194
11 ай бұрын
She really is. Such a lovely, genuine woman.
@DerekKerton
10 ай бұрын
Maybe we could force her to reproduce. Sounds dystopian, I know, but the idea just came to me.
@no1ofimport271
Жыл бұрын
"There is not just good and evil. There is good, evil, and stupidity." So simple yet eye opening. Thank you, Ms. Atwood.
@sarahsnowe
Жыл бұрын
Yes. The Republicans in the U.S. and the militant right-wingers in other countries would be nowhere without a flock of ignoramuses and dimwits bleating their support.
@markvasiloff2217
Жыл бұрын
Today’s Democrat Party: George Orwell’s 1984 "Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture repainted, every statue, street and building renamed, every date altered and the process continues day by day...nothing exists except an endless present in which the party is always right." Ronald Reagan (1975): ‘If Fascism Ever Comes to America, It Will Come in the Name of Liberalism’.
@thespainshow
Жыл бұрын
Do you think we are too far gone with so much dumbing down of the worlds population over the past few generations?
@Slythe01
Жыл бұрын
The vast majority of "evil" that we get in the world is the result of stupidity.
@OreadNYC
Жыл бұрын
Exactly. There is an old rule called Hanlon's Razor which states that it's a mistake to attribute something to malice (meaning the kind of deliberate malevolent action which most people would label as evil) when it can be explained equally well by ignorance and stupidity. However, I think there ought to be a fourth element in the equation which I would label as selfishness. Where Hanlon's Razor falls down is that it doesn't acknowledge there's actually a lot of room between intentional cruelty -- or evil, if you will -- and ignorance or stupidity which might not have had any hateful intent (or at least not consciously). As another old proverb states, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Selfishness is not an inherently bad thing because all of us need a certain amount of it in order to be healthy, but it can easily become a bad thing in excessive amounts. However, an excessive amount of selfishness is not necessarily malicious and it's also not necessarily stupid although it frequently is careless and short-sighted.
@1renegadegeek
Жыл бұрын
She's so much more than an author. She has watched the world churn for decades and she is so skilled at pointing out the most important patterns. Brilliant.
@leroysimon5692
Жыл бұрын
👍🏾
@dalelerette206
Жыл бұрын
Nietzschean struggle to power seems to have infected all lines of philosophy leaving a latent 'victim mentality' Nietzsche loved Dostoevsky so there may be hope yet. Nietzsche’s unbelief may have contributed to his nervous breakdown. And his lack of faith may have resulted in no support when he brilliantly pulled away the illusions of all philosophy. Unlike Nietzsche, I would be led by the Spirit to say it is time to, “Let our souls magnify the Lord” -- and realize there are no borders, especially when we blow into the sails of another's boat. Plato regarded democracy as little more than mob rule by another name-perhaps without the violence, at least at first. The distributism model of G.K. Chesterton that awakens reciprocal financial benefits along ALL PEOPLE is the only authentic Democracy of the Holy Spirit: African, American Indian, Asian, Australian, European, Indian, Melanesian, Micronesian & Polynesian. Unlike socialism, which advocates state ownership of property and the means of production, distributism seeks to devolve or widely distribute that control to individuals (FAMILIES) within society, rejecting what it saw as the twin evils of plutocracy and bureaucracy. Capitalism advocates 'corporate ownership' of property and the means of production - destroys families. Socialism advocates 'state ownership' of property and the means of production - destroys families. Distributism advocates 'family ownership' of property and the means of production - UNITES FAMILIES
@benfordcameron7619
Жыл бұрын
Some of us knew exactly why she wrote a "Handmaid's Tale" Some of us see the rising power of the religious right in American politics as the inspiration for said novel! The military complex has been programming veterans via right wing media, the very worst of it, on military base PA systems! This persuasion enforces the desire to support the military industrial complex. We now know Ike was right, the murder of two Kennedy's and the assassination of RFK jr's life is an extension of this long, expansion of war mongering and world domination! This is the result of "manifest destiny" the insane claim to everything, because we are American! IN this regard we are more like the Russians.
@nicolasdelaforge7420
4 ай бұрын
Margaret said that, one thing at the heart of the dystopian society is "you no longer have someone to trust in" and it becomes "eerily quiet"... between us... and who is this? Dylan's "Things have changed" also finds us in that reality, where we are today in the US. It can happen here; it already happens here and there, in right wing enclaves: Grass Valley, Clallam County, Provo, and many other places: it's happening: surveillance, monitoring, tracking and terrorizing. Gilead is here.
@MamaDoctorJones
Жыл бұрын
Margaret Atwood is now my favorite person on earth.
@shadebug
Жыл бұрын
How has this been here a day and nobody’s gushing about how one of their favourite KZitemrs is up here in the comments? I apologise on behalf of the community, we have failed you
@TexanWineAunt
Жыл бұрын
I am usually bored shitless by interviews on KZitem. Hell, Atwood is as entertaining as Bertrand Russell!
@stregalilith
Жыл бұрын
And Mama Doctor Jones is one of mine!
@shieh.4743
Жыл бұрын
❤❤❤ Aw. Mama Jones. Thank you for the work you do also.
@johnantal2014
Жыл бұрын
Did you know that the United States is Funding actual Ukrainian Nazis that are killing the ethnic Russians that live in Eastern Ukraine.
@ashliesatwick5977
Жыл бұрын
Very enlightening video, There’s this woman I got in touch with during the 2020 lockdown which cost me my job. Ms. Norman Davis helped me manage my assets by introducing my to the best trading platform and strategies, I earned a lot of $$$ working with Norman at the comfort of my home. I still keep in touch with the amazing lady
@waynestackheim600
Жыл бұрын
I have a master in mathematical finance, so it wasn’t so easy to get me convinced to begin an investment without me carrying out proper research on her. I had her broker ID checked and she’s fully verified! So I began with a few bucks, only to get huge returns in a month. I reinvested and now I get long term monthly returns… So glad I don’t rely on pay checks anymore.
@nathaliecamp2630
Жыл бұрын
Not a lot of people are aware of this new market, only a handful know how it works, I was fortunate to reach out to Ms. Davis the beginning of last year, she put me through the basics as a mentor would do, I learnt and earned massively from trading at the comfort of my home.
@lucyweilbel6681
Жыл бұрын
I’m trying to create long term wealth to set towards property one day . How can i reach out to her? she could be of great help
@ashliesatwick5977
Жыл бұрын
< normandavis
@vnnyCao
Жыл бұрын
,,Norman gave me a wide option investing strategies, she introduced me to USD margin lending in which I was able to earn interest with no anticipated downside risk. She made my February a remarkable month! Some people truly are God sent
@lilred00051
Жыл бұрын
I work at a restaurant frequented by Doug Mastriano, the former Republican candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania. He is a religious fundamentalist, Qanon supporter, election denier, and all-around Trump supporter. He's had his election rallies and announcement parties at my restaurant where Don Junior, and thus the Secret Service, were present. The one aspect of this that has hit me hardest during my direct dealings with this man and his wife is just how ordinary he is. It's the old "banality of evil" at its finest. He is kind and respectful and his wife is lovely. Yet, the policies this man would have engendered(including a full-no exceptions ban on abortion) would have destroyed real lives in Pennsylvania. We MUST remain vigilant. As long as one group is being marginalized and attacked, we are ALL under attack.
@O1OO1O1
Жыл бұрын
Well that's the problem isn't it? We've come to accept such low standards for humanity. You call that man ordinary. He doesn't sound to ordinary to me. He sounds pathological. Until we start making the distinction between people who are sane we will continue to allow people who have a distorted view of reality making decisions about how large amounts of people should live
@dianajilwah279
Жыл бұрын
Authoritarians are always charming...but they are devious in their minds ..always there to take advantage of people who have been taught to have good thoughts and empathy for their fellow humans
@donnahersey9813
Жыл бұрын
@CCRider Well that’s a truly horrible piece of news to start my day. It’s a deadly game of Whack-a Mole isn’t it.
@kathydb613
Жыл бұрын
What restaurant? I'm live near Gettysburg.
@IMSiegfried
Жыл бұрын
Just an FYI: I helped get out the vote for Fetterman because I knew how important that race was even though I don't live in the state of PA anymore. There's another race that is just as important if not more so in WI in 3 weeks!!! It could very easily be the Supreme Court of WI that decides who wins the 2024 election! It will also determine whether there will be a law that bans abortion, no exceptions. Currently they are outspending Dems 2 to 1. Dan Kelly, a former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, faces Democratic-backed Janet Protasiewicz, a Milwaukee County judge, on April 4. The winner will determine majority control of the court, with the fate of abortion access, legislative redistricting, voting rights, rules for elections and other major issues at stake. The winner will also be in place heading into the 2024 presidential election in battleground Wisconsin. The court, currently controlled 4-3 by conservatives, came within one vote of overturning President Joe Biden’s narrow win in 2020. Please go to Mobilize Me to find out about volunteering opportunities to help Democrats win. Thank you!
@incognito3620
Жыл бұрын
Ms. Atwood is saying ‘ Evil never sleeps’ when things get bad, evil shows its malice. When things are good, evil diminishes and crawls back into a hole. Ms. Atwood is right on the money.
@suzibarlow3611
Жыл бұрын
Bet this interview took you by surprise, John. Yup, she's smart. Yup, she's accomplished. Yup she is older than you and shows it in words of wisdom. Great interview. One of your very best. A treasure. Thank you to both of you. You lifted me up.
@bonniemiller4041
Жыл бұрын
This interview is pure gold.
@kathleenlandolt5936
Жыл бұрын
@Daniel E. Why do you think that?
@lillia5333
Жыл бұрын
@daniele.3361your ignorance shows
@karenspindor2484
Жыл бұрын
Yup!❤ she sure is a wise woman and everything everyone is saying😊
@nanwuamitofo
Жыл бұрын
Double spaces are for ancient typewriters. Look it up. Nowadays it's one space.
@dbbrown1949
Жыл бұрын
What a brilliant women,and when will they finally give her her Nobel!?!?
@nakfoor1846
Жыл бұрын
Handmaid's Tale is one of my favorite books. Atwood is so gentle and subtle in her scathing dissection of the hypocrisy of Christian Fascists. Pro-life yet brutal executions, forced monogamy for the women but the men go to brothels, entitled access to women's reproduction but also a weird perverse aversion and ignorance to women's anatomy. And so much more.
@pendorran
Жыл бұрын
Literally all of that, as she's said herself, is directly lifted from real history. The specific details of the Ceremony are almost the only exception. The truth behind the fiction is what's really scary.
@nakfoor1846
Жыл бұрын
@@pendorran Yes true, I specifically referred to Christians but its the same with any theocracy.
@judiudahl
Жыл бұрын
😊😊😊😅😅
@Kwk16534
Жыл бұрын
Sounds like you're talkin about the us right now totally agree
@ghill88
Жыл бұрын
nakfloor1816 • Your post is A+, please accept a virtual hug, for putting my thoughts into such articulate words.
@88Ariadne88
Жыл бұрын
I started reading "The Handmaid's Tale" late one evening in the 80's, and I didn't stop till sunrise and the end of the book. It was scary, and the further I read, the farther I moved away in the bed from my sleeping husband. I was never so scared for my future.
@TheDivayenta
Жыл бұрын
The Handmaid’s Tale was a pretty close depiction of women in slavery here. The raping to breed fresh labor. The dehumanization.
@sandratownsend9711
Жыл бұрын
How sad that you felt compelled to move away from your husband just because of a book. I am so glad I never gave 'The Handmaid's Tale' any time of my day.
@bernadettesandoval3990
Жыл бұрын
@@sandratownsend9711Same here. Was never impressed with her since "Surfacing". Utter trash.
@annabell3385
Жыл бұрын
The girl in the book was happy with her family. They stole her husband and child. It wasn't the husband that betrayed her.
@88Ariadne88
Жыл бұрын
@@sandratownsend9711 I wasn't scared because of my husband; I was scared because I remembered how badly some men have treated women. You don't need The Handmaids Tale to know that--any honest history book will tell you the same.
@DawnaJD
Жыл бұрын
If I could host a dinner party with great wine, moody atmosphere, and the worlds most interesting people, Margaret Atwood would definitely be there.
@jo-p5
Жыл бұрын
It’s so heartening that older women are finally becoming visible. The experience and wisdom they can bring to today’s world is invaluable. Learning about women who’ve made important discoveries and others whose achievements were claimed by men or simply quietly hidden has been enlightening. Women still have a long way to go toward equality but I am grateful that women of all ages are becoming more prevalent in all arenas.
@lydiabell6218
6 күн бұрын
LOVE your first sentence. I am one of those older women living in a small community among people that have never been out of their surroundings, whereas my life (as an average, ordinary person) was filled with unbelievably diverse life experiences, including crossing the Atlantic on one of the last passenger boats (as opposed to modern cruise ships) because back than it was cheaper than flying. And yes, women in general, once their bloom of youth begins to fade, are indeed becoming very, very invisible, even to men who are 20 or more years older than they are, especially single women.
@jo-p5
5 күн бұрын
@@lydiabell6218 discovering that many younger men are far more likely to listen to equally to women. And once they understand women’s lived experiences they notice the discrimination in their everyday lives.
@Pjs1882
Жыл бұрын
A magnificent woman, her words are clear and true. She describes chaos with a calm and strong voice. If only the idiots leading the world would listen. But no, they ban books instead.
@rhondah1587
Жыл бұрын
She is an excellent example of one who is quite elderly but very wise. A reason no one should be considered incompetent just because of old age. 😊
@texasred2702
Жыл бұрын
Wow, we're so grateful.
@minoozolala
Жыл бұрын
83 is hardly “very” elderly.
@robertbobsky8509
Жыл бұрын
Hello @@minoozolala. I believe that it all depends on rhondah1587's age. I'm 85 and I don't think Margaret Atwood is very elderly. My 14-year-old granddaughter does not think so either. She thinks Ms. Atwood and I are incomprehensibly ancient. So, in the end, everyone is right. And I for one like it that way.
@minoozolala
Жыл бұрын
@@robertbobsky8509 You make a good point.
@robertbobsky8509
Жыл бұрын
@@minoozolala Thank you for your kind comment. And now a bit off-topic, but I'm sure you get it. Last evening we had a family dinner, and my granddaughter proved it again. Everything teens say seems a bit over the top. They are surely the most wonderful creatures on earth.
@JanetLClark
Жыл бұрын
I had a boyfriend when I was in 2nd year law who spoke in tongues and his sister interpreted it. I don't think they were religious so much as they loved attention. The brother abnegated responsibility because he said he didn't know what he was saying (nobody did) and the sister was motivated by power, because who could gainsay her interpretation? This was in Canada in 1987 in a baptist church. As a young law student, I was just amazed and felt at the time that it was very important to witness it. For some reason, the two of them stopped going to that church and the boyfriend moved to another fundamentalist church. In that church, there was a lot of pressure to couple up and baby up between the parishioners. There was much talk about "sheep stealing". There was a huge focus on donations. The youth pastor actually apologized to me because I was forced to get a career rather than to stay home and reproduce. He couldn't fathom why I would stray from what amounted to God's work. I had a lot of conversations with the pastor, who was the only one who was prepared to have an intelligent discussion with me, particularly given my course of education (philosophy and law). I had doubts about his bona fides because I thought he was too smart not to know exactly what he was doing with those people. In the end, the leadership of the church came to me and told me I had to leave my boyfriend, because... he was "demon-possessed". They were entirely sincere and now they were meddling in my entirely personal life, which was where I decided to get off that bus. I accepted their offer to hide in the house of a family in the congregation for a couple of weeks so this guy couldn't find me. It put the exclamation mark at the end of the sentence. What a ride! Every closed system creates its own rules and therefore its own reality, is supported by the ignorant and directed by the cynical. We all need to be aware that these "innocent" groups exist not just around us, but among us.
@viekent
Жыл бұрын
I would think that the types of experiences that you describe here would turn more people away from superstitious thinking and cult-like behavior but it seems as though we are seeing a resurgence in these groups. It is certainly more difficult to see the absurdity when you are a part of it. And like Margaret said, people lean on superstition during times of unrest
@matthewjohns1758
Жыл бұрын
I agree. With the Mega Churches abounding throughout my Country and their misogynistic, homophobic, racist and bigoted so called Pastors help to indoctrinate the lost people in our Country and turn them into one evil mass of my Countrymen who themselves are misogynistic, homophobic, racist and bigoted. Not only do they want to rule out non-conformists from being allowed to have a presence in our society they also want to take away our Voting Block. They have taken the Christian religion and say only they are true Christians; although they act in a way that Christ would never act; and have turned Christianity into an horrible name. A lot of regular Christians are getting angry about the Mega Churches declaring that ones not in their Church aren’t REAL Christians. It’s probably the best thing to happen for the Democratic Party coming up on the 2024 elections.
@O1OO1O1
Жыл бұрын
@@viekent your comment assumes that people can see this absurdity. A lot of people are as stupid as a block of wood and a simply incapable of high level thinking and analysis and don't particularly care about what is true and what isn't
@O1OO1O1
Жыл бұрын
That's a good TV series called Psycho-Pass that explores the idea of the role. Innocent civilians play in a society. It fits in very well with Margaret's work. It's a little gruesome, but it is a good series. In particular, this theme is addressed in season 2. There's also a very good movie
@helpanimals-
Жыл бұрын
there's no such things as speaking in tongues. It's mental illness or they're bullshitting you
@craiggardener8268
Жыл бұрын
Thank you both for this thoughtful conversation. I recognize Margaret Atwood as an author but sadly never read any of her books. Tomorrow is my 70th Birthday and I'm changing that....I'm reading THE HANDMAID'S TALE!
@luigig6256
Жыл бұрын
@@jennifermarlow. one of my favourites too. If you haven’t read Maddadam series, you’ll probably like it. Atwood is writing royalty
@shirleycrane9013
Жыл бұрын
Read this last year at 69.
@janiceholden9199
Жыл бұрын
Never too late to grow intellectually.
@Andy1805-y8w
Жыл бұрын
Why read 'The Handmaid's Tale' when you can move to Florida and live it?
@shirleycrane9013
Жыл бұрын
@@Andy1805-y8w lived in two states that have theocracy, no thank you!
@pondeck
Жыл бұрын
Thank you! Best episode ever. Margaret Atwood's creative and intellectual genius forever proves her to be not "O.L.D." (lol) but timeless and ever-relevant. Jon, I've been subbed for years and have always admired your work, online and offline, but I want to thank you also for this episode (which deserves to 'go viral'). Your questions and responses were thoughtful, the conversation a delight, insightful, and fun, but most of all, thank you for being so respectful and (a still rare in media, sadly) example of how to not interrupt or talk over someone, even during pregnant pauses. Oh, and please have more Canadians on more often! xo 🇨🇦
@patpowers9210
Жыл бұрын
As a writer, I'm in awe of her skill in prose writing. I thought "The Handmaid's Tale" was going to be a dull polemic, just the usual thoughtless trashing on the patriarchy, but I wanted to borrow elements of Gilead for one of my stories. I was so wrong! Her prose just flows across the page, her scenes are powerful and striking. And I am so glad I was so wrong.
@benfordcameron7619
Жыл бұрын
I only like to write, I have read your post, if you write everything like you just did, I will not seek your work.
@patpowers9210
Жыл бұрын
@@benfordcameron7619 Well there's all sorts of good reasons for not wanting to read my stories. What about my post warned you about it?
@Musamecanica
Жыл бұрын
I always get a kick out of her interviews. She is so sharp and witty!
@IMSiegfried
Жыл бұрын
Please don't call DeSantis "kooky" because it normalizes his behavior (even if it was meant as a joke). He's not strange or eccentric, he is an authoritarian through and through. That''s not being "kooky" that's a wanna be dictator.
@foadnwol6684
Жыл бұрын
please detail his authoritarianism. As far as I can see he's not forcing things ON ppl, rather he's saying ppl can't be forced...they can choose to wear a mask, for ex, rather than being forced. Not a big fan of his, but I see way worse elsewhere.
@gillps5130
Жыл бұрын
De Santis is brilliant.
@mdizzylizzy2u
Жыл бұрын
“Good, Evil, & Stupid. Don’t forget stupidity”. Best line EVER! 😇👿🤪
@3souris
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for reminding me of that bon mots. She drops so many of them, it's hard to remember.
@fredriksundberg4624
Жыл бұрын
Stupid people are in fact dangerous especially when they're in the Dunning-Kreuger section of stupidity mixed with power and money.
@jillfryer6699
Жыл бұрын
I rather Greed, Anger and Stupidity. Good and evil are matters of opinion and taste, but everybody recognises Greed and Anger in any language. Ignorance is a bit harder.
@lah6739
Жыл бұрын
I've been reading Margaret Atwood for over 40 years. She is one of my favourite Canadians🍁🦫and one of my favourite authors; she is a master with the written word. Her Oryx and Crake Trilogy is a masterpiece.
@susanhall4222
Жыл бұрын
Jon, thank you for this interview. She was an absolute delight.
@robertcasey7312
Жыл бұрын
I couldn’t agree more. She’s a remarkable author.
@RendaJane
Жыл бұрын
It’s wonderful to sorta meet her like this. I love it!
@catherinemcbroom5892
Жыл бұрын
@@robertcasey7312A must share interview!
@AlvaSudden
Жыл бұрын
It's not hard to defeat them right now. 1) Hammer them for trying to cut Social Security. 2) Hammer them for taking away womens' reproductive rights. 3) Hammer them for pushing cheap easy guns on America. Tell them they hate America, because they do.
That was absolutely wonderful. We got wisdom, history ( lived & learned), and humor. She is such a treasure!
@karenspindor2484
Жыл бұрын
I So agree I felt the same way listening to her
@suziemacdonald7220
Жыл бұрын
As a Canadian, I have always loved and admired Margaret Atwood. I had read Handmaid's Tale when I was pregnant for my daughter over 35 years ago. Wow! Had I of known then how her story would almost come to fruition today, I would never have believed it! She's definitely a national treasure and has the wit, intelligence, and a funny woman all wrapped up in a nice package! Proud to be Canadian!
@ruthhunt7754
Жыл бұрын
Put, p
@annmarieknapp2480
Жыл бұрын
Margaret Atwood is a visionary and brilliant. I really hoped so much of her stories wouldn't fit our country changing into a scary authoritarian state. I live in FL and yes, I am stunned the government wants bloggers to register with them for approval. That is terrifying and yet, people have nerve to tell me how free Florida is. Is it? Because I thought freedom of speech is the hallmark of a free society.
@RendaJane
Жыл бұрын
@@annmarieknapp2480 She has certainly opened up awareness of the direction the GQP is taking us. Unfortunately, most of the MAGATS don’t read books.
@anabaird3835
Жыл бұрын
SUZIE: I would say the same thing if I was Canadian! Canada has blessed the world with SO much PHENOMENAL talent, kindness & greatness...& I would consider Margaret Atwood Canada's biggest brag yet! 💚💙💜 from Washington (STATE, not DC). PS: YRS ago I lived in Phoenix, Az & worked for an extended stay Hotel that mostly accomodates snowbirds from all around the globe. Id get SO EXCITED for fall when my regulars would return for the colder months🥰ESPECIALLY CANADIANS! 🥰They are surely the most kind, gracious, well-mannered individuals God ever dropped on the plant! (Middle-State Americans & Aussies are very close "seconds") .
@RendaJane
Жыл бұрын
@@anabaird3835 I’m grateful that my youngest daughter and her husband live in Washington too. I hope they can escape before she is forced to breed. That’s already too close to iQ45’s call for a “baby boom” and medical care being denied to women across the country.
@GergelyGyurics
Жыл бұрын
Imagine chilling out at the grocery store, talking to your mate about the busted dishwasher and suddenly, out of nowhere, Margaret Atwood tells you there's a filter in the thing you need to change.
@serephita
Жыл бұрын
I remember reading The Handmaid's Tale when I was 12 or so, and the impact it had on me even then (I am going to be 37 later this year). The fact that in the last 25 or so years, I've seen the US and other countries spiral down this dark hole towards the reality in the book has been terrifying. Great interview, Jon.
@TheEmbrio
Жыл бұрын
Exact same !
@scorpio85
Жыл бұрын
America is certainly going down towards total totalitarianism. DJT is certainly determined to be big brother and rule as a dictator. He has these illusions of grandeur . God help America.
@julieknights1238
Жыл бұрын
I watched the first series, but can't bring myself to watch the second, it's too scary for these days.
@gaylehudson7267
Жыл бұрын
You do mean the reality of people choosing to castrate themselves, ushering in the population collapse of the next 20 years. Right?
@wattlebough
Жыл бұрын
Just curious, I don’t see anything resembling young women being forced in to breeding slavery. The exact opposite. Am I completely blind to something y’all are seeing that I’m not?
@jainc.kurany9553
Жыл бұрын
It is great to have Margaret Atwood talk about her experiences in the Soviet Union. I had very similar experiences when I went there in the mid-seventies. I was not an author; I had only the opportunity to listen. It is a relief to know that Atwood's perceptions are spot on. Thank you so much.
@serpentines6356
Жыл бұрын
Interestingly, I hear the same concerns from conservatives about the radical left in the U.S. It would be an interesting experiment to ask people who have escaped from places like the USSR, Cuba, Venezuela, N. Korea, China, etc., whether they are more concerned about the "political left", or "political right" in the U.S.
@bernadettesandoval3990
Жыл бұрын
@@serpentines6356 I think we know the answer! Ms. Arwood stuck in her past.
@beryllium1932
Жыл бұрын
@@serpentines6356Or places like Pinochet's Chile, Franco's Spain, Iran under either the Shah or post-revolution. Pre-1945 Japan, Germany, Italy. Manchukuo.
@frederiquecouture3924
Жыл бұрын
Ahahahaha!
@frederiquecouture3924
Жыл бұрын
Bravo 👏
@flybymight
Жыл бұрын
Long time Margaret Atwood fan typing from Toronto. Just when I think your Offline podcast can't get better you do this. Thank you Jon Favreau for continued excellent podcasting. I long for a Crooked Media equivalent in Canada. Long may you pod.
@3souris
Жыл бұрын
Well, there's the good ol' CBC. Marge's been on loads of times.
@annmarieknapp2480
Жыл бұрын
Can we come North to escape the insanity? Sounds so much better than what is happening here.
@AVspectre
Жыл бұрын
We have CBC, and we have Canadaland, but not an entertaining and activating political media centre. I love listening to the political takes accompanied with humour and occasionally insider perspectives (at least on how things work as a process). I’ve loved the optimism and activation of the audience to make meaningful political change. If anyone knows of a Canadian comparative, I’m all ears! 😊I’d love it!
@flybymight
Жыл бұрын
@@AVspectre This is exactly what I meant!
@flybymight
Жыл бұрын
@@3souris Yes, but I mean the whole Crooked Media thing- there is not enough of an equivalent here.
@SteamBunneh
Жыл бұрын
I could listen to her talk forever.. shes brilliant
@Wendy2448
Жыл бұрын
What an interesting, intelligent, charismatic woman. Loved her stories
@salliebenton2345
Жыл бұрын
i’m❤
@salliebenton2345
Жыл бұрын
❤❤
@markvasiloff2217
Жыл бұрын
Today’s Democrat Party: George Orwell’s 1984 "Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture repainted, every statue, street and building renamed, every date altered and the process continues day by day...nothing exists except an endless present in which the party is always right." Ronald Reagan (1975): ‘If Fascism Ever Comes to America, It Will Come in the Name of Liberalism’.
@lottielane2486
Жыл бұрын
Jeeze. It's a long time since I've listened to such an intelligent, insightful, sassy woman. Amazing stuff. Thanks, Margaret.
@kathleenlandolt5936
Жыл бұрын
@Daniel E. Again with the eye-roll... ?
@lobotomyboy666
Жыл бұрын
I just stumbled across Ms. Atwood's novel "Lady Oracle," and I loved it! It's hilarious, completely different than any other book from Ms. Atwood that I've ever read.
@victoriapearce6145
Жыл бұрын
I had the good fortune of visiting Margaret at University of Toronto when she was in residence. She had a strong presence then and I've enjoyed reading her books and poetry and now am happy to hear her wisdom
@elizabethmayers3729
Жыл бұрын
I read this book in a high school AP English class at a catholic school. "The Handmaids tale" was the first book I had ever read that I didnt want to put down and was actually interesting to read! It truly changed my life, helping me realize I was not crazy to see this stuff happening at many times throughout the last 30 years.
@benfordcameron7619
Жыл бұрын
The Tao Te Ching changed my life in 7th grade!
@shirleenrodriguez3355
Жыл бұрын
This was an amazing interview.
@sheilalauderdale8131
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much often, you say. It seems to reflect today's way. I see it really coming out in the government, especially the Republican new found ways to control their people! I love the way you are on the reflection through history and the country that seems to be a way to get Republicans to insert people with extreme Evangelion! They get what seems to be unaware of this and not intelligent enough to recognize the other tactics. They constantly repeat over and over the same words, as well the cult- like actions! They always use the " slippery slope," which always is what can happen unless you pick Donald Trump for the running! He also uses it to happen to me, and they will do it to you The latest is being the protector and savior. He lies so much, and I guess people are desperate for the attention and lacking fulfillment. Thank you for your input, and I loved the movie! I watched it all at one time!
@ssc4153
Жыл бұрын
Thank you Ms.Atwood for your wisdom. I finally got around to watching the TV series. Needless to say I quickly became horrified. Not only for what was happening in each of the scenes, but also the realization that I see this happening now in our country. Insidiously, slowly, quietly, but I have this uncanny suspicion that your story for us is about to begin. With Roe V Wade being passed onto the states and then watching these states pass detrimental laws that women will have to follow. The banning of books because it goes against their moral conviction, or the fact that the true history must not be taught to our children. To criminalizing the LGBTQ Community, and next they will pass laws that will make all those gay marriages null and void. I see the dystopian world you wrote about in "A Handmaid's Tale", I see it happening now. I pray the younger generation wakes up from their stupor before it's too late.....Thank you again Ms. Atwood. It was a pleasure listening to you talk with Jon, and look forward to others to come!
@foadnwol6684
Жыл бұрын
The Supreme Court did the right thing, in kicking the decision of abortion back to the 50 states...it's where it should've been from the beginning, according to the Constitution. The books that are being banned, that go against people's "moral outrage", are straight up porn - books that explicitly detail, in words and illustrations, how boys can give each other bj's, etc. Can you honestly say that those types of books should be in school libraries? What "true history" are our kids not being taught? You mean that we are a racist nation? Because that is absolutely not true. Slavery/racism did not originate, nor were they exclusive to, the U.S. We've gone from MLK, Jr's dream of his kids not being judged on the color of their skin, rather on the content of their character...to the left now wanting to segregate and hating on whites, claiming whites are all racists, which is just as nuts as when some ppl felt blacks were inferior and wanted to segregate them from whites. And it's not only hating on whites. All the hate and vitriol aimed at straight ppl, biological women - btw, the so-called criminalizing of lgbtq is also nonsense...biological men claiming they're women and invading and taking over the spaces of bio women is the real threat there. The dystopian world is happening, but not how you see it...quite the opposite.
@MsMcKat-ub4sm
Жыл бұрын
Best interview ever Jon. Margaret Atwood's ability to synthesize human behavior and speak to our existential dilemmas is awe-inspiring. I could have listened for hours to her stories.
@EH23831
Жыл бұрын
If only a fraction of our politicians were as wise as she… we would live in a different world
@johnkelly7757
Жыл бұрын
Her book is as effective now as when I first read it in the
@johnkelly7757
Жыл бұрын
In the Reagan 80's.
@lanafateeva6059
Жыл бұрын
Dear Ms. Atwood, you are young forever! Thank you for this interview.
@claudiachance7036
Жыл бұрын
It's a sad thing to realize that we would rather disagree to point of wishing each other dead. Instead of sitting down together and finding a solution and not wait for chaos to erupt. Where are the adults in the room? A child could figure this out. Mrs Atwood is a breath of fresh air. Her awareness is legendary. Thank you.
@hartkopz86
Жыл бұрын
You can’t negotiate with Christian Fascists. They think they’re on a mission from god to subjugate the world and anyone in their way is satanic. This is coming from my family that essentially runs the Christian Coalition for America, a massive right wing Christian political org.
@O1OO1O1
Жыл бұрын
Pod save America have an interview with Anand Giridharadas about exactly that. It's worth watching. He usually writes about capitalism and to address your point, One of the reasons why we are at each other's throats is because we have been set upon each other by the capitalist oligarchs of our society who benefit greatly from orchestrating and the engineering and environment where we focus on each other rather than them and what they do. Because if we did have time and energy to focus on what they do, we might just come for them and rip them from their high places. Whether that be economically or structurally or politically
@emem2863
Жыл бұрын
When it comes to American politics, you're probably right. However, I think the issue is that you don't have two sides that both believe in reality or who can be objective. Most of the time, it's the political right that is delusional. However, the left acts like the right when it comes to particular topics. The left also shuts down nuance or an actual discussion. Anyone who doesn't agree is usually labeled a bigot and canceled, even when their stance is neither, just uncomfortable. As an actual liberal who is politically independent but usually votes Democrat, I feel lost in this current social and political landscape. I now know how the Republicans who believe in democracy felt when Maga and Qanon took over their party.
@aprilk141
Жыл бұрын
It's not about two sides disagreeing with each other when we're talking about basic human rights of LGBTQ and people of color. There are people holding sick ideologies that just want entire categories of people to die. Coming together requires that not one who holds those ideas have a seat at the table.
@degatos5
Жыл бұрын
@@O1OO1O1I totally agree!
@jaelo2314
Жыл бұрын
I had the pleasure of training many new employees in several types of businesses. My best advice to every person was "Don't guess. Ask. You don't yet know what you don't know." It's hard to "untrain" a bad procedure.
@sogghartha
Жыл бұрын
"Geesh, why do you always have to be so difficult? who knows better here, you or me? for once just do what you're told!" if you ask, you're labeled a difficult person, someone who doesn't accept instructions from higher up, a trouble maker, anti-authoritarian.. so.. your mileage may vary with that advice
@ninemoonplanet
Жыл бұрын
Margaret Atwood has always managed to impress me every interview she does. Her breadth of knowledge, insight into human behaviour, her ability to use everyday expressions is amazing. Now I will find that Utopia resource to find out so much more. Thank you. 🇨🇦💪
@robin31165
Жыл бұрын
Margaret’s reference to pick up Stix really makes me feel old, but it is a good example of how one move can change SO many things! She’s brilliant!
@joannebattersby8365
Жыл бұрын
Hi there, fellow Canuck.
@lorrainedaliessio3998
Жыл бұрын
Excellent interview
@audreymuzingo933
Жыл бұрын
Those qualities are what make her the Mark Twain of our time, in my opinion. The thing that makes me seethe with envy of people like them is that last thing you mentioned, the economy of words. I know that I am knowledgeable and insightful, but any time I try to express it I wind up writing a frikkin essay, full of ten-dollar vocabulary words that many readers might not know. But people like Twain and Atwood (also Angelou, come to think of it), they can stitch a few pedestrian words together and say things so powerful it just about knocks me out. My favorite of Atwood's is "If you tell people there's nothing they can do, they will do worse than nothing." Good lord, how often do we see how true that is?
@robin31165
Жыл бұрын
@@audreymuzingo933 this is one of the most insightful comments I’ve ever seen on KZitem. You summed up Margaret Atwood perfectly. Not to mention, you use the word ‘envy’ correctly - no one uses the word correctly & it happens to be one of my pet peeves. 🤷🏻♀️
@DimaRakesah
Жыл бұрын
I used to work at a highschool and the wisdom of "don't give advice unless they ask" is so true. Young people, to some extent, have to learn things on their own. They need to make mistakes. Our job is just to try to mitigate them making mistakes that will ruin lives, and help them recover from the mistakes they do make. Everyone has to fall off a bike a few times before they can ride. That's life, and that's ok :) If you're not constantly telling them what to do, but a gentle supportive presence, they are more likely to ask your for advice than if you're nagging all the time. As adults we understand things that they haven't yet learned, so to us it seems like a "well duh" but kids haven't learned that lesson yet. Just nagging them all the time won't make the lesson sink in. Let 'em fall off their skateboard, or spill their food, or whatever. That's how they learn to be more careful.
@colettehart7967
Жыл бұрын
Margaret is an international treasure. Thanks for the interview.
@TheSanityMachine33
Жыл бұрын
Legendary Feminist creature.....
@reggied1250
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for correcting an earlier misplaced patriotic comment😊
@gregm55mullen62
Жыл бұрын
Yes.. her and Margaret Sanger.. the darlings of Planned Parenthood.. the human waste disposal industry.
@SuzLa1
Жыл бұрын
I think feminism means something different in the USA, than Canada, Europe, Australia etc, as in Europe it only means fighting abuse and subjugation of women. Such as women didn't have as many rights and were less represented in their own country. It wasn't until recently women had the right to not be raped by her husband. In USA it seems to be an insult by men who hate women, who spend their time searching out examples of idiots who talk nonsense to say all women who fight against abuse are like that. Funny how they spend too much time online whinging against women, filling comment sections no matter what the subject as an excuse to whine on against feminists and saying what women should want, but no woman finds an abusive misogynist who feels threatened by women who have rights against them to be a turn on. I also think men and women dislike each other more in the USA than Europe, as USA women tell men they're disgusting if not cir'cised and some men who had that done develop issues, such as less sensitivity, which they spend a lot of time online trying to take out on women. Like the USA man who was banned from entering Europe for making web pages promoting men rpe and abuse women when travelling. Although I also acknowledge men from many places who have had injunctions taken out on them by women offline, then use the internet to carry on being abusive.
@annjuurinen6553
Жыл бұрын
Such a brilliant woman. Lovely to listen to her. New ideas spill out of her. So hopeful. A blessing to the rest of us.
@pakde8002
Жыл бұрын
Where most sane people see The Handmaid's Tale as a warning there are others who see it as a how to manual. The combination of the sudden rise of the charismatic evangelical church and a fascist political movement in America is scary af. When I was younger I always imagined the Nazis were a smallish group of thugs who managed to rule by fear but looking back at old footage of Nazi Germany it's now clear that those people at the mass rallies or lining the streets weren't afraid or coerced to clap and cheer but were ecstatically and gleefully present for it with all their heart and soul. This is where I think Ms Atwood got it wrong a little when saying the reason Putin and others like him are able to establish a totalitarian regime. Yes fear is there for the small group who might oppose him but by and large the average Russian is on board through a mixture of feelings of national pride and paranoia. Putin like Hitler has mastered the art of demagoguery. Despite being a mighty nation the average Russian believes the rest of the world is out to destroy their nation and culture just as did the average German. The West didn't have enough imagination to understand that the humiliation of the Russian people with the collapse of the USSR would create the same conditions that caused the rise of fascism in Germany.
@matthewjohns1758
Жыл бұрын
I’m not sure it’s a lack of imagination as much as an incredible amount of hope. With Gorbachev and his followers, America thought Russia was really beginning to align itself with most of the rest of the world. It’s only been since Putin that Russia has again isolated itself. We weren’t ready for what Putin did but we knew that this population could easily slip back into totalitarianist thinking. The old Soviet Union isn’t that far gone from their lives. Most Russians grew up under the Soviet regime and feel comfortable with it. This was well understood but America could do very little about it without starting a war.
@rjridge6791
Жыл бұрын
She addresses this. The most vociferous in opposition are beaten killed jailed. Seeing that, the rest fall in line. Or escape. Viola. Everyone wants to needs to get something 'out of it' just to survive and care for their families. The masses won't sit and starve in opposition - they - and you if you had to - will fall in line.
@Samantha-lg1bw
Жыл бұрын
That's because there was something in it for them, or at least they were convinced of it. Until they weren't, and it was too late.
@mffmoniz2948
Жыл бұрын
Don't forget a simple reason that is happening right now in America and that is an old method that still works: information. How much do people know? To what kind of information do they have access? Do they think the "others" are wrong or are the enemy? I spoke with this intelligent well educated chinese woman that was offended someone refered to Tibet as a country on itself. For her it's simply a part of China. That's what she learned at school and on the tv since always. I tried my best diplomacy and explained that for her it was normal to think of Tibet as part of China, but for us we always heard the story a different way... Folks in Germany just elected some guys that seemed to have some interesting ideas. They didn't vote gor war and concentration camps. The same way most people that vote Republican don't actually want to lose the right to abortion and affordable health care. The same way some people may support Putin, many fear him and tons dream of when he'll go away. But it's hard to mobilize opposition. And when you try, the forces in power fight back with brutality. The Handmade Tale is a reminder that we are never too far away from disaster. Iran right now is hell for women and not so many decades ago they had a lot more freedom. Some women may have thought it was a good change, some may still agree with it according to their "info", but ALL of them live with the consequences of a couple dudes decisions.
@catStone92
Жыл бұрын
this is an insane take. Putin is bad but comparing him to Hitler is actually insane. Putin is bad in the same way that Bush was bad.
@graemewatling9719
Жыл бұрын
This is a perfect example of an older person who has a sharp mind and a lifetime of experience a combination that is hard to beat and an asset that has a lot to offer humanity and a stark comparison to the many empty vessels that fill the space particularly in the political sphere especially on the right side of the spectrum
@BigNightLikeDog
Жыл бұрын
This was an excellent interview with a great writer and intellectual - thank you, Jon.
@kathleenlandolt5936
Жыл бұрын
@Daniel E. Why?
@kathleenlandolt5936
Жыл бұрын
@@billy-bg9rx Why? What is it about her writing you find fault with?
@marciamartins1992
Жыл бұрын
@daniele.3361I didn't like the Handmaid's Tale when I first read it, but then when I realized it's implications, I gained immense respect for her. It's a cautionary tale. It points out the frog in politics, things get incrementally hotter and hotter before you know it you're boiled. Never once did I think Trump would be president.
@lillia5333
Жыл бұрын
@daniele.3361you need some education. You can't recognize intellect when it's right in front of you. I pity you.
@lindaluckett7790
Жыл бұрын
I’m 64 and loved sitting at my grandmas knees listening to her wisdom. This Lady 🌹reminds me so very much of those days. Thank you is not enough 🙏
@JerkDebust-i6b
Жыл бұрын
i relate to this, i worshipped my grandmother.
@DrEsky914
Жыл бұрын
As the mother of a son now turning 30, give your children space to make mistakes, don't fix everything for them. Answer their questions when they ask! Teach them music and read to them every night no matter what. There, lots of advice!!
@JustMe-vk4fn
Жыл бұрын
Mom always advised me to remember that I was "raising adults", not raising children. :) It made me do what you describe above. Smart women make a difference in the world. :)
@DrEsky914
Жыл бұрын
@@JustMe-vk4fn Yes, my mantra (having been raised by a single mom who got her PhD in genetics when I was 5) was "I am raising a feminist son". I never forgot that and he makes me a proud mom every single day!
@triarb5790
Жыл бұрын
To which I add: Your job as a parent is to make yourself superfluous. In order to do that your offspring need lots of time without you where they can make mistakes, fail, take risks, explore without your guidance and challenge everything you say.
@JerkDebust-i6b
Жыл бұрын
@@JustMe-vk4fn There are so few smart women anymore, every woman under 30 went to a marxist puppy mill for an education.
@annepascoe3029
Жыл бұрын
I remember reading her book handmaid's tale in the 80s loved it ,and I recall her saying she drew some what on the revolution in Iran and what happened to the woman there
@charlotted9870
Жыл бұрын
Wonderful conversation. I wanted this interview to go on and on. My question for Ms. Atwood is , "Why are the people with the least knowledge the ones with the most advice?" I'd love to hear her advice on many topics and I wish she'd taught me history. Thank you for a wonderful podcast.
@O1OO1O1
Жыл бұрын
There's actually some research about that. Basically, people who are incompetent and unintelligent are quite often unaware of it. So they greatly overestimate their intelligence and think they have things worth saying
@giannaleng1897
Жыл бұрын
@@O1OO1O1 It’s the Dunning-Kruger effect.
@TheEmbrio
Жыл бұрын
Yup and knowleadgeable people are prudent, know there are nuances, and so won’t spurt out ’advice’ cookie-cutter style
@fredriksundberg4624
Жыл бұрын
@@O1OO1O1 Dunning-Kreuger.
@piggy310
Жыл бұрын
@@O1OO1O1 "think they have things worth saying".... What a compassionate thing to say.
@anthonydavid5121
Жыл бұрын
I was once scared of the insane right. Then, I was scared of the insane left. I now fear them both.
@janiceholden9199
Жыл бұрын
It's a sign of sanity to fear insanity....
@dreamarcher4018
Жыл бұрын
You've got that right! Centrists are the only people with common sense.
@fentin480
Жыл бұрын
Gotta love Margaret Atwood. "Think about it. Are you thinking about it? Do you have the answer?" Thanks for reminding us that 'think about it' doesn't have to be an insult, it can be valid, an instruction from someone interested in the conclusion an askee will make. I love your reaction to MA, Jon, you look in parts introspective, like a little kid learning at grandma's knee.
@barbarahecht4617
Жыл бұрын
Like your comment, but a better word than 'askee' might be interrogator, which is really just meaning someone who asks questions.
@transformativemedicine7217
Жыл бұрын
She's one of my heroes. Thank goodness for Margaret Atwood and her insightful novels. Decent people are fighting back against the rise of religious fascism in the U.S., and around the world. We've beat them before, we'll beat them again.
@Homunculas
Жыл бұрын
"wokeness" is the new fascist religion.
@paulkenny105
Жыл бұрын
Wow what a great interview. Thank you for letting the brilliant ms Atwood speak at length she had so many great things to express
@wr3599
9 күн бұрын
Jon-Thank you for not being one of those hosts who are constantly interrupting your guests with inane comments, talking over the guest, asking questions that don’t matter and, worst of all, pushing their own opinions, especially when they disagree with the guest. A host who actually listens is a rare thing. I am in search of more of your podcasts.
@lorihayes1419
Жыл бұрын
This was such a great interview. Thanks Jon! Margaret is an extraordinary woman. She has obviously been inquisitive her entire life and unlike many, she was proactive in seeking answers to the many curiosities she still seems to find interesting. I love her! ❤ The next time people shoot an ageists remark please remind them about Margaret Atwood. I knew a woman like her. We called her aunt Caroline even though we weren’t blood related. She was just a dear friend to my mom and our neighbor when I was growing up. She lived well into her 90’s. Her body gave out eventually but her mind remained razor sharp until the day she died. I’d like to think Margaret would be the same. She reminds me of my aunt Caroline. 🥰
@joyharmon1110
Жыл бұрын
I loved the part about beans up the nose. Whenever asked, " What's the stupidest thing you have ever done?" It's always the time I put a rubber band up my nose. My mother was frantically trying to get it out with tweezers and about to give up and take me to a doctor. My dad comes home and says, "Blow your nose!" It came right out. Cancel Comment no1ofimport no1ofimport 5 days ago
@jonmeyer7402
Жыл бұрын
I've never read handmaids tale but Atwoods book " The Blind Assassin" is a phenomenal read such a good writer
@Mellyouttaphase
Жыл бұрын
This was my Margaret Atwood gateway drug!
@mslindadoll
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for this gem of an interview!
@mitziewheeler8517
Жыл бұрын
I love her and the wisdom she has that is not even spoken yet I'm sure is as amazing as what she has spoken. I guess I'm a bit of a odd ball but I have always loved history. My grandma is the one that pretty much raised me. She came to live with my husband and I back in 2015 at the age of 95 she died here at home in 2021 at the age of 101. All my life I would ask her questions about the things she had gone through during her life. I also used to spend a lot of time with my great great aunt who died in 1987 at the age of 87. She was born in 1900, grandma in 1920 both women lived through some amazing and hard times. Just by asking them about the things they went through, the things they saw I actually learned a lot. Except for these two women I was mostly on my own since I was 9 or 10 and especially after I turned 13. There are things people go through in life that can make them grow up to fast like me, there are things people go through that make them grow up to slow, both things happen. But learning the truth of things, learning the truth of the past first hand from those that lived it is a wonderful teacher in itself. Even if not asking direct questions about something, even though the times were very different for them then for me at say age 16 or what ever age. There is still wisdom to be gained even if we don't realize we are gaining it at the time. I think that is something we should all remember, even when we are young and dumb and think we know it all. I'm 57 now and realize I know less and admit this, then I thought I knew at 16. Yes there are some legit things that I don't know if I will ever fully understand just because of how much has changed in such a short time, and other things I am learning or remembering I was taught or shown when I was young and didn't grasp it truly until now. We all need to search out the wisdom of those older then us even if times have seemed to have changed by a great deal, because basic wisdom, especially that of the soul is still invaluable and ever lasting. There are things from the past that even now can help us, even if for nothing else but give us strength. The strength those 2 wonderful women gave me through their knowledge is the greatest gift I have ever received. So don't avoid those older in your family unless they are d--k heads who we all have in our families, but seek them out and learn at least the history from someone who lived it first hand and you may also find they have many questions for you to help them learn about now and how to cope with the now. Above all keep politics out of it as much as possible unless they ask you to help them understand the truth that is going on now. You can learn much from each other in very respectful ways.
@pamspencer5733
Жыл бұрын
I miss my grandparents & parents so much! My dad passed at 90 last year, my mother died when I was 11, so I had to grow up too fast, as you said! It saved me from idealism & hubris!
@loujones5388
Жыл бұрын
What a refreshing interview. Oh, I can’t wait to read her memoir. Love her wise words.
@din6675
Жыл бұрын
Fascinating lady. She's spent many years thinking about everything.
@benbutler9282
Жыл бұрын
many years writing (which distills and coalesces thoughts)
@benbutler9282
Жыл бұрын
this is not to suggest you are wrong
@sheiladurrant5962
Жыл бұрын
And reading everything. I think I read two of Richardson's novels, one assigned, the second to see if they were really that bad. I can't imagine choosing to read the third, though I understand why she did it. Think about all the reading she has done to develop that level of knowledge.
@sarahsnowe
Жыл бұрын
As good old Tom Robbins put it many years ago, "We all have the same enemy. The enemy is the tyranny of the dull mind"--in other words, simplistic solutions to complex problems. Seductive but deadly. Every ideology, political or religious (though those have a huge overlap on the Venn diagram) is inimical to critical thinking. Once you've signed on to some pre-fab doctrine, you've stopped thinking for yourself and you've signed yourself over to those who don't have your best interests in mind. ““If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State" (Joseph Goebbels). "You tell them anything, they believe it." "I love the poorly educated" (Donald J. Trump).
@foadnwol6684
Жыл бұрын
yes, this is exactly what the current regime is doing - with the full cooperation of the bought-off media. The gas lighting is breathtaking.
@saverdemocracy8793
Жыл бұрын
Atwood is woman’s wizard. I always feel the 60’s & the assassinations. “Regimes will kill you …” that is how I have always felt politically is fearful & guilty. Thank you so much, I have watched Handmaid’s Tale with my grand-daughter. Bless you for everything. It is such a joy to be able to tell you thanks from the bottom of my heart. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@TheSanityMachine33
Жыл бұрын
Legendary Feminist creature.....
@gzucc
Жыл бұрын
What an amazingly curious and inherently critical person. Margaret Atwood's perspective is a rare gift to the societies that currently occupy this planet.
@Tao_Tology
Жыл бұрын
Fun fact: Margaret Atwood recently had an 'un-burnable' version made of A Handmaid's Tale and even filmed herself firing at it with a flamethrower. (It was unharmed) For anyone with some spare $ it's being auctioned off for charity in.....May? #BadassAuthor ❤
@sharibigay4712
Жыл бұрын
This lady is a treasure to listen to, learn from. She doesn't just talk at you, she makes you think about what she's sharing.
@pamspencer5733
Жыл бұрын
Conversationalist, do you mean?
@annmarieknapp2480
Жыл бұрын
She's just one if those folks that sees things so clearly and is so far ahead of our time. Mad respect for this visionary and most beloved genuis. Thank God for Margaret Atwood. Her fiction is our reality. Terrifying. But, she did say there is room for hope.
@TheSanityMachine33
Жыл бұрын
Legendary Feminist creature.....
@lah6739
Жыл бұрын
Margaret isn't ahead of our times, she is in our time - fully.
@fredriksundberg4624
Жыл бұрын
@@lah6739 Yes, sadly she's exactly spot on. I sincerely just wish that they're just talking about a fictional book but sadly it's a dystopian future we seem to be headed towards.
@triarb5790
Жыл бұрын
She is exceedingly well researched on historical examples of the rise of totalitarianism. She observed the shift towards the far right and the march towards authoritarianism that has been occurring in the US Republican party for decades, beginning with Reagan, together with the rise of the Evangelical extremist. Her genius is her observation skills and ability to meld them with real examples of horrific treatment of humans particularly women, written into a fictionalised world.
@gremlin5622
Жыл бұрын
She said "read history" to learn more about times today. That takes time, effort, research and mindful consideration. She also experienced cultures different from her own. I've noticed online many people have angry opinions but little to no knowledge of the topic they're ranting about. That's "Stupidity" or Intellectually Laziness. Margaret Atwood is the opposite of intellectually lazy.
@JeffRebornNow
Жыл бұрын
Jon, I have a question for you: Have you ever read Reich's "The Mass Psychology of Fascism," or Fromm's "Escape From Freedom"? If you want to understand the rise of authoritarianism, you had best read at least one of these books.
@janeayre96
Жыл бұрын
She loves the same SK book as I do! On writing is a wonderful book.
@scienceexplains302
Жыл бұрын
Tarot cards and other such nonsense don’t tend to result in “This gives me the right to take away your rights and commit genocide,” as traditional religion and nationalism has.
@mattjames7272
Жыл бұрын
Great conversation. Thank you Margaret and Jon
@joycemansfield1108
Жыл бұрын
Im a female hairdresser who's 59 and I read the handmaid tale at 25 it was scary to me then.
@jrann2667
Жыл бұрын
Thank you. Enjoy listening to a woman who is succinct, erudite, and interesting.
@bassofone1
Жыл бұрын
Great interview. Regarding privacy, I think it's much more complex than she says. There are cameras everywhere, and drones. It's unavoidable in many places, sadly.
@hoytbangs9425
Жыл бұрын
Jon and crew help save America with fantastic pods
@O1OO1O1
Жыл бұрын
Not really though. They're supporters of the Democrats. Until people stop supporting the one party system and addressing the real issues, nothing will change
@negy2570
Жыл бұрын
This lady is a treasure and a gift for this world 🤩
@lolab.268
Жыл бұрын
I was in university when Handmaid's Tale was first published. I stole time from my studies to devour it, much to the detriment of my mark in History. I thought at the time, 'Thank goodness this will never actually happen'.
@jacquelineleitch7050
Жыл бұрын
It depressed me horribly because like Margaret I saw it everywhere and especially at the universities. I am still traumatized by the antifeminist backlash era and we are serif. The fruition of its politics.
@moonmissy
Жыл бұрын
It’s happening, here in Canada law forbidding normal citizens to say certain words and forced to say certain words is happening. You can fired as a professor even if you’re teaching anti-racism, if you say N-word, Several people have. No matter in what context it is used. Next would be banning ideas, opposition thoughts etc..
@beefeekeefee
Жыл бұрын
Gotta love the tongue in cheek humor as Margaret suggests that Republicans "should read a bit of history."
@patriciamillin1977
Жыл бұрын
Margaret Atwood is a very smart woman, and this interview was spot on. I live in Germany, so I’m well aware of all the spying that was done here with the Gestapo during the war as well as the spying in East Germany by the so-called “Stasi” (Staatssicherheitsdienst = state security service), which is literally the same thing as the Gestapo. I recently had a German friend of my mother tell me how she and her family were questioned and spied on for years just because her older brother had escaped to the West just before the wall was built. I’m also very aware of the dangers of fascist autocracy, which is why I closely observe what is happening in the States right now. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but you are definitely heading in that direction if Republicans get their way and if Trump is re-elected.
@primatecarer3707
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for saying this out loud. We need more people from other countries to say these things. I always ask any of my foreign relatives/friends on what their opinion is of him/us to see if I’ve become too blinded by my hatred of the man and his followers. Their opinions are always similar to those you stated. I have hope that the young people coming up now can get us out of this mess. At least I pray they do. Thank you for your opinion. 😊
@patriciamillin1977
Жыл бұрын
@@primatecarer3707 Believe me, a lot of people over here hate him, too. I’ve spoken to elderly people who were still kids when Hitler came to power and are still alive. They all say they see similarities and it scares them. Look also at what happened when Trump visited London, the masses of protesters that absolutely despise him. He was taken a different route so that he didn’t see the protesters and only got to see the few who were out there to support him, but knowing Trump, you can bet he watched the news. He lied to his supporters when he told them they loved him. You can cross the borders here in Europe and always find people in other countries who despise him, so no, you’re not blinden by your hatred, we see through him, too.
@patriciamillin1977
Жыл бұрын
@IntelligentLife Thanks, I’ll see if I can find it somewhere here.
@ivandafoe5451
Жыл бұрын
I have never understood the reasoning behind post WWII East Germans being harassed, stopped and even murdered for leaving the country. What did the government think they were accomplishing with such a policy, that basically turned the country into a prison camp? They gained nothing useful doing this by literally admitting that their country wasn't worth living in.
@williammkydde
Жыл бұрын
But now all that is over, and nobody supervises the population in germany anymore. Happy times.
@radiokarla
Жыл бұрын
Margaret Atwood is a hero of mine. This was the best interview that I have seen with her in a long time! Thank you 🙏 😊
@stephaniesass5173
Жыл бұрын
I enjoyed this interview so much. It had me lol numerous times. I was pleased to find out the Ms Atwood was also a fan of Grimm’s Fairy Tales as a young girl and my mother loved finding me the most beautifully illustrated books with those stories. Your convo made me appreciate her more. Thank you Jon. 👍🏽
@QueenYak
Жыл бұрын
Love her! So well spoken...Not ONCE does she interject the nonsense phrase "sort of" in the middle of her sentences. Refreshing.
@rjridge6791
Жыл бұрын
Margaret was guest a year or two ago - it was THE BEST interview I had heard in a long time. She is so wise, so wise. I am so looking forward to this! Thank you! Margaret is a gift and a treasure.
@NavaSDMB
Жыл бұрын
In Western Europe there's a certain type of people who used to be "folkloric religious" and are now "folkloric atheists". They used to call themselves religious but only went to Church for baptisms, weddings and funerals, and joined enthusiastically on any local religious festivals but skipped "the church bits". Now they call themselves atheists but go to Church for baptisms (because see next parenthesis), weddings (Church ones are prettier) and funerals, and join enthusiastically on any local religious festivals, although skipping "the church bits"....
@joannebattersby8365
Жыл бұрын
We adore Maggie. She is incredibly humorous even though she writes such dystopian literature. Once an audience member asked her about her hair- was it real? And Maggie laughed and replied - do you think I would have hair like this on purpose? Her Massey Lecture on debt was prescient just before the crash of 2008 and she invented a remote way to sign books. She is a MARVEL and beloved by all Canadians. Thank you for this interview John.
@B_Bodziak
Жыл бұрын
I could listen to her have a conversation with almost anyone about anything.
@jeanfitzsimmons7442
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for speaking the things that need to be spoken, for writing what needs to be understood and thank goodness you do. Many decades ago, yours were the words i needed to read. You helped me to change my life, and that of my children, and their children. Thank you.
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