Remembering Cormac McCarthy
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- Опубликовано: 15 июн 2023
- You can read Lawrence's full passage on remembering Cormac at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/
Cormac McCarthy’s reflections on the human condition were often gut wrenching, one of the things that made him such a compelling writer. Three days ago I was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of my good friend. Cormac was a unique novelist, but what many may not be aware of was the fact that he was also a unique human being. While he was a literary icon for much of his life, Cormac nevertheless often stated, to me and others, that his chief interest was science.
For years I had been asking Cormac if we could do a podcast together, but he always politely declined. Around the time I knew his new books would be appearing, I suggested that myself and my colleague, filmmaker Gus Holwerda, fly down and film a dialogue at his home in Santa Fe. I told him that I hadn’t seen him in some time, and it would be an opportunity for us to spend some time together in conversation. I am not sure why he agreed, but he did.
I knew, when arranging the interview, that it would be difficult. Cormac is, in the best of times, terse, and tends to give one word, or one line answers to questions and then refuse to say more, or even further qualify his statements even after further questioning. The day we arrived, we only had 6 hours in Santa Fe, as I had to be back for an Origins Event in Phoenix later that week. We arrived at his house, after a short stop to buy some copies of the new book that he would sign, and he announced that we were going to leave shortly for lunch-something that was not on the original schedule.
Cormac had aged considerably since our last meeting, had he walked with a cane and we assisted him to his car, along with a local Santa Fe physicist, Fred Cooper, who had befriended him, and drove to lunch, which was organized I think so we could see his son John. That was a treat that I suppose he had intended, because I had last met John a decade earlier, when he was only 13 or so, when Cormac and Werner Herzog attended an event we all did together in Phoenix-both of these men shared a profound interest in science. I remember how much fun we had talking, and how Cormac and Werner spent the day like two kids in a candy store sharing thoughts about the world with each other.
My concern however, was how tired Cormac might be after lunch, during which he ordered a full meal and drank a margarita. It was clear that when we returned back home, with only a couple of hours of clear sunlight left, that our discussion was going to be a challenge. Cormac had said in advance that he didn’t want to discuss writing or literature, just science, but I was able to use his new book, The Passenger, as a starting point for a number of questions.
I do wish we had had more time, and that we had started earlier in the day. While some who watched the discussion felt I didn’t give him enough time to elaborate on his thoughts, I knew from a great deal of experience that he wasn’t going to. I could have left long silences in the conversation, as my friend Werner Herzog probably would have done had he been filming a dialogue, but there were many ideas we had discussed at lunch that I knew both he and I wanted to get to.
There were other challenges. We didn’t have lights, and the bright sun shone in the room and kept moving across the couch where we were sitting, forcing us to periodically break to relocate. It was a difficult afternoon, but nevertheless one I will always remember. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, and as problematic as it was, it was also a privilege to give the world another glimpse into his mind.
As we parted, we left him on the couch, and walked to the front door. I remember both Gus and I looked in and saw his bedroom, with the ever-present typewriter located right next to the bed. We both agreed it would be a remarkable photo, but we also both agreed that it would be a violation of his privacy to take such a picture. Instead, I will always remember it vividly, as I will remember our last conversation.
The podcast that resulted was Cormac’s last interview. In honor of his passing we have edited it down to a series of highlights. I hope you enjoy those moments with a remarkable writer and human being, even as limited as they were. I think Cormac may have agreed to our discussion, even under the difficult conditions, because he knew it might be our last. It was yet another wonderful and generous gift from a man who the world knew in one way, and I another. I was lucky to call him my friend, and honored to be able to share this with you here. 
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It’s very tricky interviewing someone you admire so much - how to engage without appearing too sycophantic, how to entice them without a excess eagerness and how to avoid appearing as an absolute clot to them. Thank you Lawrence, an excellent interview.
Sorry about your friend, Lawrence. I'm glad you had the privilege of spending time with him, and I thank you (both) for sharing some of that time with me.
Thank you for sharing this conversation. Great writer...rest in peace
I’m so glad we had one last long-form discussion with Cormac to witness. Thank you.
‘With’ Cormac is not quite the word. It’s unfortunate that the podcaster treated McCarthy as a senile little thing who needed explanatory comments and glossary notes for the audience to understand him.
I am thankful that Lawrence was able to provide these interviews for those of us who won't ever be able to meet these people. I don't know about physics but I know writing can be a lonely endeavor. I've heard mathematicians say similar about their profession. So sometimes having friends to talk to makes a big difference. That's how I see this interview as a conversation between friends.
Thanks for this, Lawrence. I'm glad someone was finally brave enough to ask him about his books!
Cormac McCarthy, a jewel of a human being and a writer of the highest order. I will always miss you.
Thank you Lawrence, that was wonderful to hear the two of you in conversation discussing science, and a very respectfully written description of the days' events
Thanks for this one. Awesome
thank you Lawrence for posting this. this was a beautiful conversation.
I remember reading Blood Meridian and rereading some paragraphs because the imagery was amazing.
Thank you for sharing this Lawrence, rest in peace Cormac McCarthy.
I watched the original conversation with your friend when you first aired it, and I enjoyed it immensely. Thanks again for adding some precious footage of Cormac to a body of screen time that is regrettably undersized to begin with.
Now take this suggestion under consideration… stop losing your friends because it affects us all. It’s been over ten years and I’m still sore over the loss of Hitch. With that said, carry on LK.
Thanks so much, Lawrence; I loved the conversation and Cormac's patient perspicuity ;D
Cormac McCarthy is one of my favourite writers. I had know idea he was so knowledgeable about physics 👍
A man this untellably gifted with a talent for the written word such as few mortals dare dream of, also deeply knowledgeable about the tangible world he's so often set aside in pursuit of his craft... my God. I simply can't.
Thanks for this, Lawrence ❤
Thanks for your story in the description
human spirit and energy is a blessing to be past down from gentlemen like Cormac McCarthy. I remember conversations with my old science teacher my Grandfather. loved those conversation.
I really hate that people age and die. So many stories and ideas and interesting people just gone forever is so sad.
"He says that he will never die. He dances in light and in shadow and he is a great favorite. He never sleeps, the judge. He is dancing, dancing. He says that he will never die." I recall this quote, not sure who from, but here's the best I can remember it: So long as you remember me, I will always be with you.
@@Visitormassacre How many generations before everyone is the previous generation
forgotten?
@@captainzappbrannagan Considering people still remember Gilgamesh and King Arthur, I think it will be fine.
@@Visitormassacre I don't remember pretend people, in 5 generations you won't be a remembered either. Hawking and Einstein maybe but very few others. If you relish degrading health and mental capacities I find that strange. I bet we will sort out genetics of eternal life (not that it is truly eternal just that age doesn't degrade your cells).
@@captainzappbrannagan And yet those pretend people represent their culture. Drives others to learn more about it. To learn the history of it. The only one who revels in degrading mental health so far.... seems to be you since you brought it up. But the idea that nothings lasts forever, has been around since mankind thought about death. You enjoy your self pitying however, I have a life to live.
its been quite sad since mccarthys passing that he seems to be so unread by everyone discussing him. i was only just starting to delve into his work when he passed, but it feels insulting to hear the idea mccarthy hadnt written about science before the passenger, when its integral to the character of the judge, just to give one obvious example
:( Sorry about your Friend.
Lawrence! Lawrence! Why did you have to budge in so much?? This could have been something very special. McCarthy was surely the last of a now extinct breed and surely we would never see the likes of him again.
Genius speaks to genius
Writing a novel like The Road required him to have a good grounding in science. Or what a world without civilization would be like. That book, and the subsequent film, were so grim, I have never forgotten either one.
"It means more to me than you may notice."
If you watch an interview from a year prior he looks so strong.
Fucking inspiring....you live eternely ....thank you......
This was not the best interview. At the time most viewers blamed Krauss which I thought was unfair. McCarthy was not an easy person to interview and that’s fine. He was an extremely private person, a quality reflected in the few interviews he agreed to do.
Krauss did his best with a man who had a reputation for avoiding interviews. And for that matter McCarthy did his best. Keep in mind he was 89, and here he looks tired and frail.
In the world of letters he was a giant and he will be missed. I’m grateful this interview exists as I’m grateful we got one more novel (or two, or two parts of the same story?) from an authentically Great writer.
Gosh! McCarthy is sharp as can be to the end.
We wont see a writer of his ilk again. Rest in peace sir.
RIP
I mean, this dude, was not supposed to do this interview, this last, final interview...
Pity Cormac was a sick man for this interview. The interviewer didn’t give Cormac much of a chance. He was only interested in himself. Love McCarthy’s novelas , Child of God,Orchard Keeper,and Outer Dark and his semi-autobiographical Suttree, set in Knoxville. Loved them mainly for the writing style,dramatic, philosophical,poetic, superb.
I appreciate their friendship, and I don't mean to be harsh but god, Krauss tries to tie the most banal of bows on an insanely complex and deep book, a book about platonism, gnosticism, nonhuman intelligences, the eery expressivity of the world and the recedes of being.
To any careful reader, or one that wasn't this self-serving about "the scientific worldview", the obvious question would be, what is it about Grothendieck's work that convinced you mathematical insight is intoned with evil?
Always too much Lawrence. Can't stop talking.
Awful interview. Too many closed questions
Sorry that this discussion between world-class intellects and friends, freely provided to you, wasn't up to your lofty standards.
Take a minute to read the description and maybe you'll consider adjusting your malcontent smugness.
@@thuzUNed Get a grip. He's renowned for self aggrandisement. What a puerile little essay you spewed
For the record you’re not the only one who had a hard time with this interview. A good interviewer creates an atmosphere that encourages the interviewee to talk. LK needs to comment on everything. It feels compulsive at times.
@@tombombadyl4535 Read the description above and all will be revealed. Do like science and research prior to making unqualified assumptions.
@@Bernierua I’ve spent my life doing research and science and I’ve read the description. I just find LK annoying at times.
An overrated writer IMO. Gone and will soon be forgotten. RIP.