Selected Shorts: Episode Summary

Title: Too Hot For Radio: Carlos Greaves "Even I, Satan, Am Appalled by the State of the Republican Party"

Host/Author: Symphony Space
Host: Aparna Nancherla
Guest: Carlos Graves
Release Date: November 4, 2024

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Selected Shorts, hosted by Aparna Nancherla, listeners are treated to a sharp and satirical exploration of contemporary American politics through the lens of fiction. The episode features Carlos Graves' provocative short story, "Even I, Satan, Am Appalled by the State of the Republican Party," read aloud by the talented John Cameron Mitchell. The episode delves deep into political satire, blending humor with biting commentary on modern societal issues.

Story Reading: "Even I, Satan, Am Appalled by the State of the Republican Party"

Narrated by: John Cameron Mitchell
Duration: [04:15] – [10:24]

Carlos Graves crafts a scathing satire where Satan himself voices his disapproval of the Republican Party's trajectory. The story begins with Satan expressing his unprecedented disappointment:

"I, Satan, am appalled at the state of the Republican Party. These past two weeks have been dark..." ([04:15])

Throughout the narrative, Satan enumerates various failings of the party, from flawed policies like the war on drugs to misguided economic strategies. His frustration peaks as he observes the party's shift from disciplined malevolence to chaotic extremism:

"Somewhere along the way, this party went from a disciplined, manageable form of malevolence to straight up no holds barred crazy town banana pants." ([05:50])

Graves uses Satan's authoritative yet humorous perspective to highlight real-world political dysfunctions, including misinformation, partisan divides, and the erosion of democratic norms. The demon's internal monologue serves as a mirror reflecting the absurdities and perils of contemporary politics.

"This QAnon mongering Covid denying Dominion voter fraud peddling insurgency inciting quack fuckery is a bridge too far." ([07:30])

As the story progresses, Satan contemplates the consequences of the party's actions, envisioning a tumultuous afterlife reflective of current political chaos:

"If our goal is to damn the dead to an afterlife of sitting in the middle seat on a Spirit Airlines flight from Orlando to Las Vegas..." ([09:10])

Mitchell's dynamic reading brings Graves' vivid satire to life, effectively capturing the essence of frustration and disbelief that fuels the narrative.

Interview with Carlos Graves

Duration: [10:24] – [19:46]

Following the story, Aparna Nancherla engages in an insightful conversation with Carlos Graves, delving into the inspirations and methodologies behind his provocative writing.

Writing from Satan's Perspective

Carlos Graves explains his choice to adopt Satan as the narrator, emphasizing the desire to amplify the critique:

"Maybe I can write it from the point of view of like the most evil, you know, person... even Satan is disappointed." ([10:47])

This heightened perspective allows Graves to underscore the severity of political decline by having even the embodiment of evil express dismay.

Political Engagement and Motivations

Graves identifies as inherently political, using his writing as an outlet for his frustrations:

"I'm definitely somebody who's followed politics closely always. And I just find myself being very upset all the time about, about, you know, reading about politics and following the news." ([12:19])

He channels his disillusionment into crafting narratives that critique and satirize, highlighting the importance of political discourse in his work.

Engineering Background's Influence on Writing

With a professional background in electrical engineering, Graves discusses how analytical skills shape his writing approach:

"I kind of approach it from, like, a very analytical point of view. [...] I do feel like it was incredibly valuable to have that background as I started approaching writing." ([14:14])

This structured mindset aids in constructing well-organized and impactful narratives, allowing for meticulous development of themes and arguments.

Navigating a Writing Career

Graves likens a writing career to a wilderness survival challenge, emphasizing the lack of a clear roadmap:

"A writing career is one of those wilderness survival challenges where they dump you in the woods without a map or a compass or food, and whoever finds their way out wins." ([15:19])

He reflects on his journey, acknowledging the challenges while expressing optimism about gradually honing his craft.

Live Performance Experience

Discussing the live reading of his story, Graves shares the exhilaration of witnessing audience reactions firsthand:

"When you write for McSweeney's or the New Yorker and you publish something, you get some feedback online, but you really can't beat that feeling of getting that immediate reaction in front of a live audience." ([16:22])

This experience underscores the value of performance in enhancing the reception and impact of his written work.

Future Projects and Ambitions

Graves reveals his endeavors beyond short stories, including his book and ongoing projects:

"I have written a book called Spoilers: Essays That Might Ruin Your Favorite Hollywood Movies, which is a collection of short humor pieces..." ([17:16])

He discusses how pop culture and social issues intertwine in his work, reflecting his deep connection to movies and their societal implications.

Reading Recommendations

Sharing his literary preferences, Graves highlights the blend of science fiction and satire that inspires him:

"One of my all-time favorites is Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I love the intersection between sci-fi and satire because sci-fi just gives you that ability to create these fictional worlds that in many ways parallel our own." ([18:28])

He also mentions currently reading Dune, indicating his ongoing engagement with rich, thought-provoking literature.

Conclusion

This episode of Selected Shorts offers a thought-provoking blend of satire and political commentary, anchored by Carlos Graves' incisive storytelling and Aparna Nancherla's engaging hosting. Through the fictional voice of Satan, Graves delivers a powerful critique of current political dynamics, while the subsequent interview provides deeper insights into his creative process and motivations. The episode not only entertains but also invites listeners to reflect on the state of political discourse and its broader societal impacts.

Notable Quotes

• Carlos Graves on Satan's Perspective:
  "Maybe I can write it from the point of view of like the most evil, you know, person... even Satan is disappointed." ([10:47])

• Graves on Political Engagement:
  "I'm definitely somebody who's followed politics closely always. And I just find myself being very upset all the time about, about, you know, reading about politics and following the news." ([12:19])

• On Engineering and Writing:
  "I kind of approach it from, like, a very analytical point of view... I do feel like it was incredibly valuable to have that background as I started approaching writing." ([14:14])

• Navigating a Writing Career:
  "A writing career is one of those wilderness survival challenges where they dump you in the woods without a map or a compass or food..." ([15:19])

• Live Performance Feedback:
  "When you write for McSweeney's or the New Yorker and you publish something, you get some feedback online, but you really can't beat that feeling of getting that immediate reaction in front of a live audience." ([16:22])

• Book Endeavors:
  "I have written a book called Spoilers: Essays That Might Ruin Your Favorite Hollywood Movies, which is a collection of short humor pieces..." ([17:16])

• Reading Recommendations:
  "One of my all-time favorites is Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I love the intersection between sci-fi and satire..." ([18:28])

This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the discussions and insights shared by Carlos Graves, even if they haven't listened to the podcast.