James Gleick’s first book, Chaos, a National Book Award finalist, has been translated into twenty-five languages. His best-selling biographies, Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman and Isaac Newton, were short-listed for the Pulitzer Prize. Before reading from his latest work, The Information, he joined us in the Green Room for a few questions.
Q. What do you find beautiful?
A. Chaos.
Q. Describe yourself in 5 words or fewer.
A. Person.
Q. What’s your favorite technological gizmo?
A. The device of the moment.
Q. Did you get into trouble as a child?
A. Yes.
Q. What literary character do you identify with?
A. Meg from A Wrinkle in Time.
Q. What’s your favorite scientific factoid?
A. One foot equals one nanosecond at light speed.
Q. What’s your favorite holiday and why?
A. None.
Q. What would your death row meal be?
A. Pasta and cheese.
Q. What teacher or professor changed your life?
A. None.
Q. What do you wish you had the nerve to do?
A. Less.
Q. What surprises you the most about your life?
A. That I am occasionally content.
Q. What do you consider the greatest simple pleasure?
A. Music.
To read more about James’ lecture, please click here.