When Umberto Eco’s second novel, Foucault’s Pendulum, was published in English, I reviewed it, and I must have been in an unusually bad mood, because I hated it, and said so. Not long after the review appeared I was at a literary gathering in a stunningly grand room in the Louvre, in Paris, and when I arrived the first person I saw coming towards me was Umberto Eco himself. We had never met before, and this was obviously not likely to be the happiest first encounter, or so I thought. But Eco, in a moment of expansive generosity, spread out his arms to embrace me, and cried out, in greeting, “Rushdie! I am the bullshit Eco!”
I think that no matter what, people need to push aside the bullshit and talk to each other face to face and say, "Do you hate me? Da you want to fight me?" That's how I feel when it comes to Twitter. Everything on Twitter moves on hypersonic speeds and there's no room for forgiveness. It's getting old. I enjoy a little teasing here and there. But when people send you letters with anthrax over beating them in a game of Call of Duty, this is not about discussion anymore. But this story should help everyone learn to get along, hopefully. You don't have to move in with your enemies, but learn to have unemotional disagreements. And to get people cancelled or fired, is not the way of moving the needle. Maybe I'm just bullshitting myself, but it's odd to me. Is this odd for anyone else?
What a delightful story! It gives me hope that, perhaps even in the time of social media, we might be able to befriend our critics and those we criticize.
Enjoyed reading this. How refreshing to read about people who could be honest about each other's work, and yet get along famously by agreeing to disagree. Feels like this could not happen anymore?
Well, Vargas Llosa is not right-wing anymore, hes' gone far-right as he's openly arguing that we do not need to care about free elections but only on "voting right". And we all know what that means when coming from him.
What incredible beauty, Rushdie! Your writing transports, even in a short time as this. What an honor to encounter you through your writing right here right now, again. Thanks for the beauty, the wit, and the reflection. — I am the reader Kayser
I think that no matter what, people need to push aside the bullshit and talk to each other face to face and say, "Do you hate me? Da you want to fight me?" That's how I feel when it comes to Twitter. Everything on Twitter moves on hypersonic speeds and there's no room for forgiveness. It's getting old. I enjoy a little teasing here and there. But when people send you letters with anthrax over beating them in a game of Call of Duty, this is not about discussion anymore. But this story should help everyone learn to get along, hopefully. You don't have to move in with your enemies, but learn to have unemotional disagreements. And to get people cancelled or fired, is not the way of moving the needle. Maybe I'm just bullshitting myself, but it's odd to me. Is this odd for anyone else?
Mr. Rushdie, what makes a book 'good' for you? Additionally, what makes a book 'great' apart from 'good'?
What a delightful story! It gives me hope that, perhaps even in the time of social media, we might be able to befriend our critics and those we criticize.
A nice piece that brings the past with a whiff of freshness.. Waiting to read more
Brilliant. Do you think you will ever write something about Christopher Hitchens?
Enjoyed reading this. How refreshing to read about people who could be honest about each other's work, and yet get along famously by agreeing to disagree. Feels like this could not happen anymore?
Well, Vargas Llosa is not right-wing anymore, hes' gone far-right as he's openly arguing that we do not need to care about free elections but only on "voting right". And we all know what that means when coming from him.
Nice memories:-) as an Italian I love Eco! But the three of you are among my favourite writer… with a special liking for Eco though😂
Rushdie, you have mastered the artful not so humble brag.
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What incredible beauty, Rushdie! Your writing transports, even in a short time as this. What an honor to encounter you through your writing right here right now, again. Thanks for the beauty, the wit, and the reflection. — I am the reader Kayser
Love this!
I’m a new subscriber and I so enjoyed this, thanks. Oddly enough, I’ve come across your name three times today. Most recently in a history of the Booker - https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/oct/05/arguments-anticipation-and-carefully-encouraged-scandals-the-making-of-the-booker-prize?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other