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Ep 183: The Art of Narrative Nonfiction (+ JBS Haldane)

Ep 183: The Art of Narrative Nonfiction (+ JBS Haldane)

FromThe Seen and the Unseen - hosted by Amit Varma


Ep 183: The Art of Narrative Nonfiction (+ JBS Haldane)

FromThe Seen and the Unseen - hosted by Amit Varma

ratings:
Length:
136 minutes
Released:
Jul 26, 2020
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

In a complex world where the truth is up for grabs, we need narrative nonfiction. Samanth Subramanian joins Amit Varma in episode 183 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about the art and craft of this form of literature. Also discussed: A Dominant Character, Samanth's book on JBS Haldane, and the intersection of science and politics. Also check out: 1. A Dominant Character -- Samanth Subramanian. 2. Samanth Subramanian's website, Amazon page and his work at the Guardian and the New Yorker.  3. The Intersection -- the podcast hosted by Padmaparna Ghosh and Samanth Subramanian. 4. Psmith, Journalist -- PG Wodehouse. 5. Question Time: My Life as a Quiz Obsessive -- Samanth Subramanian. 6. Quizzing is Not Just a Trivial Pursuit -- Amit Varma. 7. Neville Cardus on Amazon. 8. Darwin's Dangerous Idea -- Daniel Dennett. 9. The Perfect Murder -- HRF Keating. 10. Conversation and Society -- Episode 182 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Russ Roberts). 11. Cricket as a novelty, an obsession, and as literature -- Samanth Subramanian on Siddhartha Vaidyanathan's podcast, 81 all out. 12. On Writing Well -- Sarah Farooqui's interview with Samanth Subramanian. 13. The Complete New Yorker. 14. AJ Liebling, Calvin Trillin and Joan Didion on Amazon. 15. The Confidence Man -- Samanth Subramanian (on Lalit Modi). 15. The New New Journalism -- Robert Boynton. 16. The Secret of Excess -- Bill Buford (on Mario Batali). 17. The Power Broker -- Robert A Caro. 18. Robert A Caro on Amazon. 19. What Ails Indian Science -- JBS Haldane. 20. The Evolution of Everything -- Episode 96 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Matt Ridley). 21. The Man of System -- Adam Smith (excerpted from The Theory of Moral Sentiments). 22. The Papers of JBS Haldane -- Samanth Subramanian. 23. A talk by Samanth Subramanian on JBS Haldane at Archives@NCBS.    And hey, do check out Amit Varma's writing course, The Art of Clear Writing.
Released:
Jul 26, 2020
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

All public policies -- indeed, all actions by humans -- have two kinds of effects: the effects that are intended, and visible; and unintended consequences, which are invisible. The Seen and the Unseen is a podcast that aims to examine both the seen and the unseen effects of our actions. Presented by Amit Varma (a journalist for a decade-and-a-half, and winner of the prestigious Bastiat Prize for journalism in 2007 and 2015 -- the only person to win it twice), the show takes on a specific public policy in every episode, and dissects its seen and unseen effects. For example: the ban on surge pricing by Uber in Delhi. What is seen is that Uber no longer costs so much; what is unseen is that you cannot get an Uber at all, because of the scarcity that is a direct result of the price control. The host explains the economic reasoning at work, and talks to an expert who breaks it down further. The host will have a panel of experts at his disposal, from a variety of disciplines, and will speak to a relevant expert in every episode. Subjects covered will range from broad ones like the state of education in India, to narrower ones like the banning of 'victimless crimes' like prostitution and gambling.