Fail Better with David Duchovny: Episode Summary - "Remembering to Forget with Lewis Hyde"

Release Date: May 13, 2025

In this compelling episode of Fail Better, host David Duchovny engages in an enlightening conversation with esteemed writer, poet, and cultural critic Lewis Hyde. Exploring the intricate themes of memory, forgetting, and failure, the duo delves deep into how these concepts shape personal identity and societal narratives. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing the essence of their dialogue, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

Introduction and Background

David Duchovny introduces the episode by presenting Lewis Hyde, highlighting his accolades, including the MacArthur Genius Grant and his tenure as the Director of Undergraduate Creative Writing at Harvard University. Duchovny sets the stage by referencing Hyde's influential works, particularly The Gift and Primer for Forgetting, framing the conversation around the nuanced interplay between memory and forgetting.

"[Lewis Hyde] is a writer, poet, and cultural critic whose work focuses on the nature of imagination." (01:18)

Lewis Hyde’s Journey: From Science to Creative Arts

Hyde recounts his early fascination with science, influenced by his physicist father, and his eventual pivot to the literary arts. He shares personal anecdotes about academic struggles, including receiving a D in chemistry, which signified a turning point away from a scientific path.

"Sometimes a failure is a sign that this is not the path you should be on." (12:22)

Hyde emphasizes that recognizing one's strengths and limitations in various fields is crucial for personal growth and finding one's true calling.

The Essence of Forgetting: Cultural and Personal Dimensions

Hyde elaborates on the central theme of his book, describing forgetting as a deliberate and beneficial process. He categorizes instances where forgetting surpasses memory across four domains: mythology, personal psychology, collectives (nations and communities), and spiritual life.

"There’s flexibility because the past does not constantly stay with you." (04:46)

Drawing from Buddhist philosophy, specifically Dogen Zenji, Hyde explains that studying the self ultimately leads to forgetting the self, thereby allowing individuals to reconnect with the world more authentically.

"If you forget the self, then things begin to happen differently." (06:03)

Memory, Trauma, and National Wounds

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on how nations deal with collective traumas and historical injustices. Hyde outlines a sequential approach to healing and forgetting national wounds:

1. Know the Truth: Understanding the factual history is paramount.
2. Justice and Recompense: Punishing wrongdoing and making amends.
3. Apology and Proper Burial: Offering sincere apologies and correctly honoring those harmed.

"You cannot forget anything that was not first in mind." (26:02)

Duchovny reflects on America's ongoing struggles with historical reconciliation, referencing the debates over statues and national narratives, and underscores the importance of acknowledging past injustices to move forward.

Literary Influences and the Creative Process

The conversation shifts to Hyde's literary inspirations and his unique writing style, which blends personal anecdotes, philosophy, mythology, and dreams—reminiscent of writers like Jung, Freud, and T.S. Eliot. Hyde discusses his initial ambition to be a poet and how this influenced his prose work in The Gift.

"Poetry is the medium that can also range from dreams to history to psychology to ideas." (10:23)

Duchovny shares his admiration for Hyde’s ability to weave complex ideas seamlessly, likening it to the associative nature of the mind.

Appropriation, Power, and Creativity

Addressing contemporary issues of cultural appropriation, Hyde emphasizes the importance of crediting sources and being mindful of power dynamics in creative endeavors. He advocates for diversity, equality, and inclusion to ensure respectful and meaningful exchanges of cultural elements.

"If yours is a culture that has been dominated by other people, it really feels different if those people take your things." (45:43)

This segment underscores the ethical responsibilities artists bear in honoring the origins of the ideas and traditions they draw from.

Visions for Moving Forward: Spirituality and Community

In concluding the discussion, Hyde offers an optimistic vision for personal and collective healing. He highlights the role of spiritual practices in thinning the ego and fostering a sense of community. Hyde argues that establishing a strong, loving self is foundational before one can engage in the broader work of forgetting and connecting with others.

"People growing up, young people, they need to have a self. They need to be loved and have people be curious about their talents." (48:39)

Duchovny reflects on the challenges of overcoming personal and societal wounds without anchoring one's identity solely in them, advocating for a balanced approach to memory and forgetting.

Closing Thoughts

David Duchovny wraps up the episode by expressing his admiration for Hyde's nuanced thinking and the depth of his literary and philosophical contributions. He acknowledges the complexity of bridging academic ideas with mainstream discussions and reinforces the podcast's mission to explore failure and growth in an accessible manner.

"I want these notions to be part of everyday conversation." (52:56)

The episode culminates with Duchovny encouraging listeners to engage with Hyde’s works to fully grasp the profound insights shared during their conversation.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Lewis Hyde on Forgetting: "There’s flexibility because the past does not constantly stay with you." (04:46)

• Hyde on Self and World: "If you forget the self, then things begin to happen differently." (06:03)

• On National Memory: "You cannot forget anything that was not first in mind." (26:02)

• Hyde on Poetry and Prose: "Poetry is the medium that can also range from dreams to history to psychology to ideas." (10:23)

• On Cultural Appropriation: "If yours is a culture that has been dominated by other people, it really feels different if those people take your things." (45:43)

• Hyde on Community and Self: "People growing up, young people, they need to have a self. They need to be loved and have people be curious about their talents." (48:39)

Conclusion

This episode of Fail Better offers a profound exploration of the delicate balance between remembering and forgetting, both on personal and societal levels. Through Lewis Hyde's insightful perspectives and David Duchovny's thoughtful inquiry, listeners gain a deeper understanding of how embracing failure and selectively forgetting can lead to personal growth and collective healing. The conversation underscores the importance of acknowledging and addressing past wounds to pave the way for a more resilient and empathetic future.

For those intrigued by the interplay of memory, creativity, and failure, this episode serves as an invaluable resource, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences and societal narratives.

Produced by Lemonada Media in coordination with King Baby. For more episodes and exclusive content, subscribe to Lemonada Premium at lemonadapremium.com.