A Breath of Fresh Air With Brian Eno

In this episode of The Ezra Klein Show, Ezra interviews Brian Eno, the pioneer of ambient music, about his new book, "What Art Does." They discuss the importance of art in human life, arguing that it serves as a form of play for adults, allowing them to explore and understand their feelings. Eno emphasizes that feelings, though difficult to quantify, are essential for navigating the world. The conversation explores how art connects to personal history and cultural conversations, and they touch on the role of art in imagining different futures. They delve into generative music and AI, discussing the balance between human creativity and technological influence, and the ethical considerations of AI's use of collective knowledge. Finally, they reflect on the influences of John Cage, David Bowie, Steve Reich, Laurie Anderson and Stewart Brand, and share influential books and albums.