Zadie Smith on Populists, Frauds and Flip Phones

This podcast episode delves into Zadie Smith's exploration of the Tichborne trial through her novel "The Fraud," drawing parallels between historical populism and contemporary issues of identity, emotion, and social justice. Smith critiques the limitations of rationalism, emphasizes the significance of emotional intelligence, and discusses the complexities of wokeness and identity politics. She highlights the dangers posed by the digital age to personal identity, the impacts of social media on human connection, and the universal experience of loneliness exacerbated by aging. Ultimately, Smith calls for deeper listening, intimacy, and understanding in the quest for meaningful human connections.