William T. Vollmann is most recently the author of Poor People. Condition of Mr. Segundo: Distancing himself from emus. Author: William T. Vollmann Subjects Discussed: The relationship between The Atlas and Poor People, the dimensions of poverty vs. the moral compass, I.A. Richards’ poetic experiments, photographs, the problems with objective solutions to poverty, “More aid, [...]
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Ken Alder is most recently the author of The Lie Detectors. Condition of Mr. Segundo: Puzzled by polygraphs. Author: Ken Alder Subjects Discussed: The connection between polygraphs and Northwestern University, the United States’ fascination with lie detectors and cultural connections, why allied nations use junk science, polygraph tests and employment, the lie detector as coercive [...]
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Arlene Goldbard is most recently the author of New Creative Community.. Condition of Mr. Segundo: Feeling that the community misunderstands him. Author: Arlene Goldbard Subjects Discussed: Artistic individuality vs. creative community, the benefits of 20th century funding for the arts, the WPA, community murals, public plays, happenings, the political agenda of “creative community,” collective absolutism, [...]
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Ellen Klages is most recently the author of Portable Childhoods. Condition of Mr. Segundo: Affirming his miserable status. Author: Ellen Klages Subjects Discussed: On being approached by Sharon November at a convention to write a children’s book, writing fiction from a child’s perspective vs. an adult’s perspective, conducting research for a story, the 1950s, how [...]
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China Miéville is most recently the author of Un Lun Dun. Condition of Mr. Segundo: One might say quite “un”-well. Author: China Miéville Subjects Discussed: World-building, building a world with an urban center, being a “city animal,” the imagination-per-page ratio, a creative license to put in anything, C.S. Lewis, ideology and YA books, Marxism, terrorism, [...]
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