Susan Hwang

This was written in response to STORIES ARE WEAPONS by Annalee Newitz. This was the featured book for an episode of THE PECULIAR BOOK CLUB — a podcast created and hosted by author Brandy Schillace. Brandy asked that I contribute a song in response to the book. Watch the whole livestream HERE.

I appreciated that the book offered solutions to the very scary phenomenon of stories being used as weapons in a psyops culture war of Americans against Americans. The author reminded us that yes, stories are weapons, but as weapons, we can also use them to serve beneficial causes like an open forum for discussion where people with opposing views are not threatened with death — forums for discussion where the agreed upon baseline is that every human is a person and/or that every person is human.

It seemed reasonable that to end a psyops culture war, like at the end of any war, there needs to be efforts at disarmament. This could be in the form of slowing down social media and supporting the shared, free public spaces offered by libraries, where you can experience such things as silence between the stacks and librarians as guides or shepherds for information and learning.

You know, I was raised by libraries and reruns of “Mork and Mindy” and old movies from the 30’s and 40’s. Omg. I’m just remembering that last night Fred Astaire was in my dreams! He was older but still dancing. I was watching him work on a new pattern just for exercise it seemed. Way past retirement (like stars ever retire) and his movements still had the shape and phrasing that I recognized as so plainly his. It was thrilling to be in the same room with him–Fred Astaire in his ’80s in shorts and sneakers moving as only he does. Also my dead cat Trout walked in while I was taking a shower. It was great to see him too.