The Moth Podcast Episode: Andrew Solomon & Calvin Trillin

Release Date: April 12, 2016
Podcast Title: The Moth
Host: The Moth

Introduction

In this episode of The Moth, award-winning storytellers Andrew Solomon and Calvin Trillin share deeply personal and humorous narratives from their lives. Recorded during a book launch celebration at the New York Public Library in 2013, both stories explore themes of self-discovery, personal growth, and the unexpected lessons learned through unique experiences.

Andrew Solomon: "From Insecurity to Glamour"

Timestamp: [03:11] – [17:06]

Andrew Solomon begins his story by reflecting on his transformative senior year of high school. Freed from the physical constraints of braces and with improved self-esteem, he lands a coveted summer job at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's editorial department—an opportunity he initially perceives as a stepping stone to grand intellectual achievements.

Early Experiences and Self-Perception: Solomon humorously recounts his first day at the museum, where a simple thank-you note on his supervisor’s bulletin board leads to his employment. He shares, “[03:28] Andrew Solomon: 'And I thought, my intellect. My intellect is going to change the world, and they can tell.'” This highlights his youthful arrogance and aspirations.

Discovering His Role: Assigned mundane tasks like filing and proofreading, Solomon feels constrained until a chance encounter with the chairman of the editorial department shifts his trajectory. This interaction, marked by the chairman’s booming voice and authoritative presence, opens doors to higher responsibilities. “[07:45] Andrew Solomon: 'I thought, these people aren't so scary. There was no reason for me to be so intimidated.'”

Engagement with Curators: A pivotal moment occurs when Solomon overhears the head of Classical Art, Dietrich von Bottmer, engaging curiously with artifacts—a scene that demystifies the intimidating museum hierarchy. This experience fosters his confidence, making him feel part of the creative environment.

Working with the Costume Institute: Promoted to handle photo research for the Costume Institute catalog, Solomon is thrust into a world of glamour and high fashion. His interactions with curators, particularly his daunting meeting with Diana Vreeland, the iconic editor of Vogue, underscore the stark contrast between his earlier insecurities and his burgeoning professional confidence. “[12:15] Andrew Solomon: 'She said, young man, that seems to me to show an exceptional lack of imagination.'”

Climactic Collaboration: Solomon describes a memorable collaboration with Vreeland and photographer Richard Avedon, culminating in a breathtaking exhibition. The meticulous editing process, though initially fraught with tension, results in a refined and visually stunning display. Vreeland’s rare moments of vulnerability reveal the profound impact Solomon has had on the exhibition’s success. “[16:50] Andrew Solomon: 'She said, I want you to look around this room and contemplate the fact that every one of these people went into a store in which other things were available and selected what they're wearing right now.'”

Themes of Self-Discovery: Through his journey at the museum, Solomon transitions from a place of personal insecurity to one where he feels a sense of belonging and accomplishment. He concludes, “[17:00] Andrew Solomon: 'I had found the door and I had finally walked out into glamour itself. It was very strange and it was very beautiful, except that it was also often very ordinary and quite ugly.'” This encapsulates his realization that true confidence comes from embracing both the extraordinary and the mundane aspects of life.

Calvin Trillin: "The Clever Chicken of Chinatown"

Timestamp: [17:28] – [27:37]

Calvin Trillin’s story takes a whimsical turn through his experiences in Greenwich Village, where he often guides out-of-town guests on eclectic walking tours of lower Manhattan. His narrative humorously explores the quirks and hidden gems of the neighborhood, culminating in the legend of a remarkably clever chicken in Chinatown.

Navigating Greenwich Village: Trillin paints a vivid picture of his neighborhood, describing it as “a neighborhood where people from the suburbs come on Saturday night to test their car alarm.” His detailed route includes stops in the Italian South Village, Soho, the machine tool district, Little Italy, and Chinatown, each with its unique flavor.

The Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken: The centerpiece of Trillin’s story is the chicken residing in a glass cage at a Chinatown amusement arcade. This chicken is infamous for its unbeatable prowess in tic-tac-toe, leaving numerous challengers baffled. “[19:00] Calvin Trillin: 'The chicken gets to go first. And I would say, but he's a chicken. You're a human being. Surely there should be some advantage to that.'”

Origins of the Clever Chicken: Trillin delves into the backstory, revealing that the chicken was trained by former graduate students of the renowned behavioral psychologist B.F. Skinner. This connection underscores the chicken’s extraordinary intelligence and the lengths to which its trainers went to perfect its skills. “[22:10] Calvin Trillin: 'A former graduate student of B.F. Skinner had gone with her husband to Hot Springs, Arkansas, and started training animals, including chickens who could play tic tac toe.'”

Cultural Impact and Legacy: The chicken’s undefeated streak becomes a local legend, attracting both skeptics and enthusiasts. Trillin humorously recounts various theories about the chicken’s abilities, from high-tech enhancements to sheer avian brilliance. Despite numerous challengers, the chicken remains unbeaten, embodying the unexpected intelligence lurking in everyday creatures.

Emotional Connection and Humor: Trillin’s narrative is rich with humor and affectionate anecdotes, such as the story of the Vietnamese pig driving a Cadillac and a chicken dancing alongside a rabbit and duck performing musical acts. These tales highlight the whimsical nature of his experiences and his deep appreciation for the eccentricities of life. “[25:45] Calvin Trillin: 'Even after being beaten by the chicken that many times, there were still people in Hot Springs, Arkansas, who trained chickens.'”

Themes of Underestimation and Respect: The story emphasizes the importance of not underestimating others based on appearances or preconceived notions. Trillin reflects on the chicken's ability to consistently outplay human challengers, serving as a metaphor for recognizing hidden strengths in unexpected places. “[27:00] Calvin Trillin: 'Being one of the giants of behavioral psychology, he knows how good that chicken is. In tic tac toe, the chicken is looking supremely confident. He knows he is about to beat in tic tac toe.'”

Conclusion

This episode of The Moth beautifully juxtaposes Solomon’s journey from personal insecurity to professional confidence with Trillin’s humorous exploration of hidden intelligence in everyday life. Both stories underscore the transformative power of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and the surprising lessons gleaned from seemingly ordinary experiences. Through their engaging narratives, Solomon and Trillin invite listeners to reflect on their own paths of growth and the unexpected sources of wisdom that life presents.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrew Solomon at [03:28]:
  “And I thought, my intellect. My intellect is going to change the world, and they can tell.”

• Andrew Solomon at [07:45]:
  “I thought, these people aren't so scary. There was no reason for me to be so intimidated.”

• Andrew Solomon at [12:15]:
  “She said, young man, that seems to me to show an exceptional lack of imagination.”

• Andrew Solomon at [16:50]:
  “She said, I want you to look around this room and contemplate the fact that every one of these people went into a store in which other things were available and selected what they're wearing right now.”

• Calvin Trillin at [19:00]:
  “The chicken gets to go first. And I would say, but he's a chicken. You're a human being. Surely there should be some advantage to that.”

• Calvin Trillin at [22:10]:
  “A former graduate student of B.F. Skinner had gone with her husband to Hot Springs, Arkansas, and started training animals, including chickens who could play tic tac toe.”

• Calvin Trillin at [27:00]:
  “Being one of the giants of behavioral psychology, he knows how good that chicken is. In tic tac toe, the chicken is looking supremely confident. He knows he is about to beat in tic tac toe.”

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of Andrew Solomon’s introspective journey and Calvin Trillin’s humorous tales, enriched with direct quotes and timestamps to provide depth and authenticity. Whether you're familiar with their work or new to The Moth, these stories offer valuable insights and memorable moments that resonate long after the episode ends.