In The New Yorker Fiction Podcast, Deborah Treisman interviews Teju Cole about his choice of Anne Carson's short story "One Equals One" from The New Yorker archives. Cole discusses Carson's genre-dissolving writing style, the story's pared-down elements reminiscent of Greek tragedy, and its focus on how the world is received rather than dramatized. The conversation explores the story's themes of sensitivity, self-absorption, the contrast between personal peace and global crises, and the role of art and connection in navigating these contradictions. Cole shares his personal connection to swimming and reflects on the story's exploration of singularity, isolation, and the complexities of human experience.
