Summary
In this podcast episode, the host interviews a guest named Sebastian about his upbringing and his father's views on war and citizenship. Sebastian's father was a refugee from two wars and was grateful to the US for its sacrifice in World War II. Sebastian grew up in a liberal environment and was surprised when he received a draft card at 18 years old. His father told him that he owed his country something and that he may owe it his life depending on the circumstances. Sebastian's father viewed the Vietnam War as unnecessary and a straight-up lie. The speaker also discusses their writing process and emphasizes the importance of efficiency, rhythm, and originality in good writing. They also explain the differences between journalistic writing and long-form non-fiction. The speaker discusses their experience as a war reporter in Afghanistan during the civil war in 1996 and the Taliban takeover. They explain the history of the conflict and give insight into the Taliban's harsh policies. The speaker recounts a traumatic experience in Liberia where bodies were piled up in front of the US embassy as a protest for America to invade and stop the war. The speaker discusses the difficulty of sudden loss, specifically when a child dies in a car accident and the parent has no time to prepare for the grieving process. The speaker shares a personal experience of thanking a deer that was hunted for providing food for a group of people. The speaker discusses their philosophy around technology and parenting, explaining that they believe in a screen-free existence for their daughter and avoiding addictive behaviors. The speaker talks about how they had no idea they were dying and how their recovery physically took months. They also discuss the psychological consequences of the experience, including anxiety and paranoia. The speaker discusses their experience of traveling 400 miles with a group of combat veterans, sleeping under bridges and abandoned buildings, and playing a game of hide and seek with the cops. Finally, the conversation shifts to the topic of freedom and how it is defined politically and economically in society.
