141. The Deluge: On Literature, Science & The Art of Hope / Stephen Markley

On this episode of In Conversation, I speak with Stephen Markley – an American journalist, screenwriter and author whose gripping novels explore the tangled political, economic and environmental issues we face across the world today.

Born and raised in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Stephen’s Midwestern roots permeate his writing, and his debut novel, Ohio, garnered critical acclaim for its vivid portrayal of a Rust Belt town and its residents grappling with the aftermath of the Iraq War, economic decline, and personal trauma.

In 2023, he published The Deluge, an ambitious behemoth of a novel set in the near future, which tackles the urgent issue of climate change and its manifold impacts on society. Described by Stephen King  as “prophetic, terrifying, uplifting”, it was named by The New York Times as one of the 100 Notable Books of 2023, and reviewed as “realistic and nuanced, grim but playful.”

Having been interviewed on Late Night with Seth Myers and at book launches by Chris Pine, Robbie Orvis and Dan Fogelman, Stephen has become one of the leading literary figures in the US and beyond to give voice to the complicated, distressing and at times redemptive forces at play in the scientific, climatic and geopolitical realms.

This was a provocative, thoughtful and surprising conversation for me, and I hope you find it both sobering and uplifting.

SUMMARY

The conversation explores the global human psyche in the face of the climate crisis and the role of literature in inspiring action. It dives into the importance of finding joy and hope amidst the challenges, the power of community and face-to-face interactions, and the dangers of social media and surveillance capitalism. We also touch on the potential of technology, the need for a balance between hope and fear, and the role of culture in shaping our perspectives. We talk about Stephen’s most recent book, 'The Deluge,' and how it address the ways in which we might navigate the current crisis and create a more just and prosperous future. As both of us are authors (albeit of different genres), we talk about the psychological toll of writing about challenging topics, the importance of finding joy and balance in life, and the power of creativity. We also explore the need for humility and open-mindedness in conversations, the value of boredom and imagination, and the impact of the attention economy on our mental well-being.

KEY THEMES

•  Finding joy and hope is crucial in the face of the climate crisis.

•  Community and face-to-face interactions play a vital role in addressing the challenges.

•  Social media and surveillance capitalism have negatively impacted our sense of community and purpose.

•  Technology, such as AI, can be both beneficial and authoritarian, requiring careful consideration.

•  Literature and culture have the power to emotionally engage and inspire action.

•  Balancing hope and fear is essential in motivating people to address the climate crisis. Writing about challenging topics can take a psychological toll, and it's important to find joy and balance in life.

•  Creativity is a powerful tool for self-expression and personal growth, regardless of whether it becomes a career.

•  The attention economy and constant connectivity can negatively impact our mental well-being, and it's important to create boundaries and cultivate boredom and imagination.

•  Humility and open-mindedness are essential in conversations, as they allow for growth and understanding.

•  Diverse perspectives and questioning assumptions are vital for personal and societal growth.

•  Finding hope and reflecting on the long view...