Intelligence Squared The 12 Books of Christmas, Part 2 – Oded Galor, Andrea Elliott and Orhan Pamuk
Dec 21, 2022
Join Oded Galor, a Brown University economist, as he sheds light on humanity's resilience through history, examining events like the Black Death and their impact on societal evolution. Pulitzer Prize-winner Andrea Elliott shares the inspiring story of Dasani Coates, a young girl navigating life in a homeless shelter, highlighting the harsh realities of childhood poverty. Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk discusses how crises shape narratives, especially around motherhood, in his latest work, 'Nights of Plague,' blending history and fiction to explore human behavior.
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Episode notes
Writing Style
- Elliott meticulously documented Dasani's story, utilizing video and audio recordings for accuracy.
- She aimed for a literary style that would transport readers while reminding them of the story's reality.
Affordable Housing Crisis
- America faces a significant affordable housing crisis, with less than 3% of Americans having access to federal housing programs.
- Homelessness manifests differently across the country, with New York City having a right-to-shelter law leading to a large, yet often punitive, shelter system.
Building Trust and Impact
- Elliott gained the Coates family's trust by demonstrating a commitment to telling their story with depth and respect.
- The resulting newspaper series had a tangible impact, leading to the closure of substandard shelters.
