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Liebe Siri Hustvedt, wenn Sie eine einzige literarische Publikation weiterempfehlen dürften - welche wäre dies und warum?

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Dear Ms Hustvedt,

thank you for giving this talk. I am an external listener joining the livestream form Mainz (Germany).

Fascism disguised as patriotism is also getting stronger in Germany and the political party that shouts the loudest underlines its messages preferentially using the colour blue.

Here are two questions: What works best when faced directly with oversimplification and denial of scientific truths (e.g. in conversations outside a bubble)?  Is there a limit to reclaiming “freedom” and the colour blue?

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

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How come, that Americans can say "we are Republicans" with exactly the same tone as I say "I am European"

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What is the calling of literature in this world? In other words: can literature—can stories—save the world?

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How to face ignorance of facts in order to be saved from fake news and to support the power of common sense?

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Ich habe den Eindruck, die Politik ist, wie das tägliche Leben von uns (in hoch entwickelten Ländern) zu kompliziert geworden, sodass 'change' nicht mehr dadurch erreicht werden kann. Warum nicht praktische, antike Philosophie in den Schulen lehren, damit die so wichtige Wertehaltung (wie führe ich ein gutes Leben?) in das Mindset der jungen Generation gepflanzt werden kann?

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We seem to strive for meaningfulness in life, yet we are addicted to the distractions that the capitalist system has to offer – products that are as fleeting as they are hollow. Is there really no way out?

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Siri

With all the hard problems and choices that humanity is facing, do you think there is any chance the world might become so dystopian as the scenes Paul wrote about in the early pages of " In the Country of Last Things ? Or, are we better than that ?

(Rob W.)

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Amerika nennt sich Demokratie einerseits und legt grossen Wert auf die Freiheit des Einzelnen. Wie passt dazu das Bücherverbot, was eine Zensur darstellt und man aus autokratischen Systemen kennt? Wie steht sie und ihre Schriftstellerkollegen dazu und was unternehmen sie?

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The interrelatedness of freedom and democracy is, I think, unchallenged, however, in fighting for freedom democracy may be harmed - how far can we go in this fight.

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We have unprecedented access to information, yet seem increasingly unable to change our minds. What do you think actually makes a human being capable of changing their mind?

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Was ist die grösste Gefahr für die Demokratie?

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When does conviction become dogmatism?

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Your essays repeatedly challenge the human desire for certainty. Do you think our greatest threat to freedom today is not censorship, but our own longing for simple answers?

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Do you think stories help us escape reality – or help us see it more clearly?