Podcast Summary
Simplifying financial workflows for business success: Mercury streamlines business finances, Wise simplifies international money management, emphasizing precision, control, and eliminating hidden fees.
Simplicity and focus are key to achieving success in business and in life. Mercury, a financial services company, aims to provide businesses with the precision and control they need to operate effectively by simplifying financial workflows. Similarly, Wise offers a simple solution for managing money in different currencies, eliminating the need for guesswork and hidden fees. Madeline Miller, the author of beloved mythological novels, shares her origin story of falling in love with the classics and being drawn to their timeless wisdom. When given power and privilege, it's essential to maintain empathy and resist assuming superiority. These concepts, whether in business or literature, remind us of the importance of simplicity, focus, and understanding the value of the past.
Learning Latin for Greek foundation: Learning Latin aids in understanding Greek texts, but translation is a complex process with numerous choices impacting meaning.
Knowing Latin can provide a solid foundation for learning ancient Greek due to their linguistic similarities. This knowledge can open up the ability to read two ancient languages and gain a deeper understanding of classical texts. Translation, on the other hand, is a complex and challenging art form. Every word requires careful consideration, and even small choices can significantly impact the meaning of a sentence or an entire work. Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey is an exceptional example of this art, bringing the classic text to new readers with her nuanced understanding and interpretation of the original language. Wilson's intellect and artistic abilities shine through her work, making her an awe-inspiring translator. The complexity of translation lies in the multitude of choices made at every word, and the ability to bring a text across language barriers while nearly erasing oneself is a rare and valuable gift.
Bringing Ancient Texts to Life for Modern Audiences: Translation requires balancing literal meaning and preserving flow, with Emily Wilson prioritizing the latter for The Odyssey, aiming for a galloping pace. The Odyssey's themes of longing for home and human experiences remain relevant, despite challenges and disappointments.
Translating ancient texts like The Odyssey requires making choices about prioritizing literal meaning versus preserving the flow and speed of the original text. Emily Wilson, in her modern translation, prioritized the latter, aiming for a galloping pace that captures Homer's excitement and keeps readers engaged. The Odyssey remains worth reading today due to its universal themes of longing for home and the human experiences it explores, despite the challenges and disappointments that come with returning. The word "complicated," used to describe Odysseus, was chosen by the translator for its psychological depth, resources, and the idea of turning or bending, as it comes from the Latin word for "folding." Ultimately, the process of translation involves making thoughtful decisions to bring ancient texts to life for modern audiences.
The pursuit of greatness can lead to dissatisfaction and alienation: Great achievements can bring joy, but also leave one longing for deeper connections and meaning in life.
That the pursuit of great achievements can lead to a deep sense of dissatisfaction and alienation, even after the goal has been achieved. This idea is exemplified in the character of Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey, who, upon returning home after years of war and wandering, finds that he has missed out on crucial years of his family's lives and struggles to reconnect with them. Furthermore, the achievement of greatness can lead to a cycle of striving and dissatisfaction, as the person one becomes to achieve the goal may no longer be able to find happiness in it. This theme is explored in Madeline Miller's Circe, which draws inspiration from various myths, including the lost epic the Telagony. The story of Circe offers a poignant reflection on the human condition, reminding us that even when we reach the pinnacle of success, we may still be left longing for something more.
The challenges of returning home after a life of adventure: The pursuit of constant fulfillment can lead to unexpected challenges and complex emotions, rather than automatic happiness.
The ancient Greek myth of Odysseus and Circe offers intriguing insights into the human psyche, particularly the challenges of returning home after a life filled with adventure and the potential consequences of seeking constant fulfillment. The character of Odysseus, an adrenaline junkie and the best at what he did, grapples with the trauma of war and the boredom of domestic life, leading him to remarry or seek new adventures. Meanwhile, Penelope and Circe, two intelligent and complex women, finally meet, offering a fascinating exploration of female agency and intelligence. This myth, like many Greek stories, challenges the notion that achieving our desires will automatically lead to happiness and instead highlights the potential for unforeseen challenges and complex emotions.
Exploring the flawed nature of Greek gods: Recognizing power's potential to breed superiority assumptions and negative behaviors, as seen in Greek gods' stories, is crucial for maintaining empathy and humility.
The gods in Greek mythology, despite having all the power and privileges, were not virtuous or exemplary beings. Instead, they were petty, selfish, and often worse than humans. This idea is explored in Madeline Miller's novel "Circe." The Greeks recognized that power and privilege can make people assume they are superior, leading to a drop in empathy and a tendency to treat others poorly. This concept has been proven by psychological studies. The human brain naturally assumes that those with power and privilege deserve it, leading to a dangerous assumption of superiority. It's important to acknowledge this potential pitfall, especially in the context of American individualism, which can lead to the belief that power and achievement will not negatively impact one's character. Shakespeare, another great storyteller, also explored this idea in his plays, such as "King Lear," which shows the consequences of unchecked power and the importance of humility and empathy. While the stories of Greek gods may be tragic, they serve as a reminder of the importance of staying grounded and humble, even when power is within reach.
Affordable Solutions for Wireless and International Transfers: Mint Mobile offers cheap wireless plans by eliminating retail stores, while Wise simplifies international transfers with real-time exchange rates and no hidden fees.
Both Mint Mobile and Wise offer cost-effective solutions for wireless services and international money transfers, respectively. Mint Mobile enables affordable wireless plans by cutting retail store costs, allowing new customers to enjoy three months of premium service for $15 a month. Wise, on the other hand, simplifies international money transfers by offering real-time exchange rates with no hidden fees. Additionally, the speaker expresses a personal preference for Artemis among Greek gods due to her association with the moon, witchcraft, and her independent nature.
Powerful Female Goddesses in Greek Mythology: Greek mythology features powerful goddesses like Artemis and Circe, contrasting the limited power of women in Greek society.
Despite the prevalent themes of rape, trickery, and violence towards women in Greek mythology, there existed powerful female goddesses like Artemis and Circe. Artemis, the mistress of the beasts, was pitiless and often depicted with animals. Circe, another goddess with animal connections, wielded power through her witchcraft, making her one of the few women in Greek mythology not punished for it. This tension between the limited power of women in Greek society and the existence of powerful goddesses is intriguing. The most powerful goddess, Hera, was often portrayed as a nagging, harpy, shrew wife, punishing women and children instead of her unfaithful husband, Zeus. The complexities and contradictions in Greek mythology offer opportunities for reinterpretations and retellings, especially for characters like Hera, who deserve a more nuanced portrayal.
Greek mythology as a reflection of human power structures: The ancient Greeks used gods as metaphors for human power structures, inspiring philosophy to understand and systematize the world. Circe, a goddess who defied the gods, illustrates the human desire to control and understand.
The ancient Greeks saw gods as metaphors for human power structures, and the gods' capricious and unpredictable behavior inspired the development of Greek philosophy as a means to understand and systematize the world. Circe, a lesser goddess in Greek mythology, exemplifies this idea by inventing her own power and rejecting the established system. The intricacies of Greek mythology, with its gods and goddesses, hierarchy, and bureaucracy, offer valuable insights into human psychology and organizational politics. Circe's story of defying the gods and creating her own power serves as a reminder of the human desire to understand and control the world around us.
Bridge to Monotheism: Mystery Cults: Mystery cults offered a personal connection to the divine and a more appealing afterlife through secretive initiation rituals, contributing to the transition from polytheistic to monotheistic beliefs.
The transition from gods being like us, but more powerful, to an unknowable God led to the emergence of mystery cults in ancient religions. These cults offered a special relationship with a particular deity, promising better treatment in the afterlife. The name "mystery cults" comes from the secretive initiation rituals required to join. Some of these rituals were intense and remain largely unknown today. The idea of an unknowable God may have contributed to the divide between religion and science, as understanding the divine became seen as an arrogant claim. The mystery cults represented a bridge to monotheism, offering a more personal connection to the divine and a more appealing afterlife.
Exploring the epic and mythic through comic books: Comic books reimagine mythology, offering new twists on familiar stories and resonating with audiences through continuous reinvention and adaptation.
Comic books, particularly Marvel and DC, draw heavily from mythology and offer retellings of familiar stories with new twists, providing a sense of the epic and mythic that resonates with human audiences. This flexibility and the power to continuously reshape beloved characters allows for a unique blend of the familiar and the new, and can be seen as a response to the challenges of exploring the new rather than a sign of cultural exhaustion. While there is a risk of endless rebooting becoming a cash grab or creative exhaustion, the human impulse to see things we love in a new way remains a powerful force. The ongoing retelling and reinvention of mythological figures in comic books demonstrates the enduring appeal of these stories and their ability to speak to contemporary audiences.
Retelling Ancient Greek Myths: Courage and belief in oneself are necessary to reimagine classic stories, inspiring new perspectives and fulfilling experiences.
The impulse to retell and reimagine classic stories is not a new phenomenon, even in ancient Greek mythology. The speaker shares how they were inspired by the many versions of Achilles' story and felt compelled to add their own perspective, despite the potential risks and challenges. They did so in secret, driven by the desire to express a perspective that wasn't being told. This process of rebooting or reimagining classic stories requires courage and belief in oneself, as well as a deep connection to the material. The speaker's experience shows that the act of creating something new from the old can be a powerful and fulfilling experience.
The complex and sympathetic character of Achilles in The Iliad: Exploring overlooked or complex characters in classic myths can lead to deep resonance and understanding.
The ancient Greek myth of Achilles resonates deeply because of the complex and sympathetic character of Achilles, despite his flawed and impulsive behavior. The speaker was drawn to the story of Achilles due to his youth, voluntary participation in the Trojan War, and the sacrifice he made for his reputation. The Iliad can be seen as the story of Achilles grappling with the consequences of his choice, which leads him to make extreme decisions when his reputation is threatened. The speaker also highlights the intrigue of exploring overlooked or complex characters, such as Cersei, in retelling classic myths.
Achilles stands up against Agamemnon's bullying, sparking the events of the Iliad: Achilles' bravery and honesty, even when it puts him at odds with others, makes him a compelling and complex character in Homer's Iliad.
In Homer's Iliad, the character Achilles is sympathetic because he stands up against the bully, Agamemnon, even if it puts him at odds with the Greek army. Agamemnon's actions, such as taking a priest's daughter as a war prize and refusing to return her, led to a plague that threatened the entire Greek army. Achilles, moved by sympathy for Agamemnon's impending doom and a desire to save his people, spoke out against Agamemnon and was attacked in return. This moment sets off the events of the Iliad and highlights Achilles' admirable honesty and bravery, despite his tendency to speak and act impulsively. Additionally, the parallel between Achilles and Agamemnon and their contrasting personalities serves to make Achilles a compelling and complex character. The figure of Agamemnon, who always acts in his own self-interest, might be seen as having a Trumpist quality in the Greek canon.
Emphasizing the importance of effective sentence-level writing: Write meticulously, making every word count, rewrite extensively, read poetry for inspiration, and value editing techniques like reading aloud and input from a good first reader.
Effective writing, especially at the sentence level, requires a meticulous approach. The guest speaker, a beautiful sentence-level writer, emphasizes the importance of making every word count and rewriting extensively. She reads poetry to inspire this mindset and strives for an oral quality in her writing. Editing plays a crucial role, with reading aloud and identifying snags being essential techniques. She also values the input of a good first reader. Agamemnon from ancient literature serves as an example of a complex character, displaying selfishness, cowardice, defensiveness, and lashes out, which can be observed in today's world. This episode's sponsors are FX's The Veil and Shopify. FX's The Veil is an international spy thriller with a mission to reveal secrets and save lives. Shopify helps businesses grow, regardless of their size, from launching an online shop to hitting a million orders.
Lessons from Children's Books: Language Play and Engagement: Children's books by Sandra Boynton teach writers and speakers the value of engaging audiences with language bounce, sound, wordplay, and surprise. Examples include 'Dinosaur Dance' and 'Journey'. Writers like Toni Morrison, Margaret Atwood, Isabel Allende, and Sylvia Plath have influenced Boynton's work.
The playfulness and focus on language found in children's books, particularly those by Sandra Boynton, can serve as valuable lessons for writers and speakers. Boynton's use of sound, wordplay, and surprise creates a type of poetry that engages readers, regardless of age. Her works, such as "Dinosaur Dance," demonstrate the importance of language bounce and the ability of words to contain their essence. Other recommended children's books include "Journey," which uses images to tell a story, and "The Lorax," with its unique wordplay and rhymes. Writers like Toni Morrison, Margaret Atwood, Isabel Allende, and Sylvia Plath have influenced Boynton's prose, and her admiration for their prose and poetry as a young person continues to inspire her work. Overall, the playful use of language found in children's literature can serve as a reminder to writers and speakers to engage their audiences with creativity and language that resonates.
Madeline Miller's Fascination with Writers and Mythologies: Madeline Miller is drawn to the works of James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry, Tennessee Williams, Nora Ephron, Egyptian, Greek, Norse, and Indian mythologies. She's captivated by historical moments like Cleopatra's court's meltdown and advocates for the exploration of lesser-known mythologies.
The speaker, Madeline Miller, shares her deep connection and fascination with various writers and mythologies, particularly those of James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry, Tennessee Williams, Nora Ephron, Egyptian, Greek, Norse, and Indian mythologies. She expresses her desire to experience historical moments, specifically the meltdown leading up to the battle of Actium in Cleopatra's court. She discusses the enduring appeal of Greek and Norse mythologies, attributing it to their presence in literature and cultural influence. Miller also emphasizes the importance and beauty of lesser-known mythologies like Egyptian and Indian mythologies. Lastly, she recommends several books and translations for those interested in exploring mythology, including Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey, Edith Hamilton's myth collection, Stephen Fry's retellings of Greek myths, and Anne Carson's translations of Sappho and her book "Autobiography of Red."
Discovering New Recommendations for the Show: The Ezra Klein Show seeks out new recommendations from listeners to broaden its range and perspective, leading to the discovery of N.K. Jemisin's work.
The Ezra Klein Show values and actively seeks out new recommendations from listeners for artists, writers, and thinkers to broaden the show's range and perspective, especially during challenging times. This approach led the host to discover N.K. Jemisin, whose work he had not previously known. The show's team, including researcher Duroche Karma and producer/editor Jeffrey Geld, have been instrumental in making the show possible under difficult circumstances. The host emphasizes the importance of continuing to engage with art, beauty, and stories beyond the pandemic, and encourages listeners to share their recommendations with him. The Ezra Klein Show remains a Vox Media podcast production, and the host's email address is esrokleinshow@box.com.
