If the US Collapses Soon, Don’t Blame Emily St. John Mandel
Summary
Wired’s Katie Drummond interviews author Emily St. John Mandel about her new novel, Exit Party, which imagines a fractured United States in 2031. They discuss the book’s themes of resilience and identity, comparing its dystopian scenarios to current political realities and the erosion of public trust. Mandel also reflects on her unexpected pandemic fame, her transition from dance to writing, and her skepticism toward AI’s impact on creative work and authenticity.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: McKinsey on AI transformation
Introduction of Emily St. John Mandel and Exit Party
Personal connection and first impressions of the book
Defining the book: crime, resilience, and hope
Political anxieties and the reality of US division
The two visions of the fractured United States
Identity and the concept of 'counter lives'
How environment shapes identity: Canada vs New York
Character flaws and the impermanence of nations
Sponsor: McKinsey on AI transformation
Erosion of trust in chaos and surveillance states
AI, authenticity, and the betrayal of trust
Personal AI experiences and risks for writers
Early life: dance, debt, and writing in Montreal
Sponsor: McKinsey on AI transformation
Breaking into publishing and keeping a day job
Station 11 and the surreal pandemic experience
Navigating celebrity and social media pressure
Challenges of book promotion in the modern era
Prophetic fears and the hope for a better future
Credits and final sponsor segment
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