Mark Lawson Talks To Iain Banks

I've not seen this up on TH-cam, if it is somewhere then apologies. This is from the quite recent past for me. It's an episode of the BBC Four series where Mark Lawson interviews people. This particular one from noted author Iain Banks was broadcast in 2006.
The only other episode of this series I have is one with Terry Pratchett. Both authors went on to die relatively young, so maybe it's a good thing that these are the only two episodes I recorded. The Pratchett interview also doesn't appear to be up so I'll upload it soon.

[@s1050]

I’m a huge fan of Iain’s Culture novels. I’ve only just discovered him a few years ago and I’ve bought almost all the Culture series. Listening to his interviews, I like him even more. Brilliant sense of humour and I completely agree with his views on politics. RIP.

[@ianedmonds9191]

Man was a legend.
Luv and Peace.

[@MikeJones-mj7yp]

So good to hear his voice and happiness. I have all of his novels and have enjoyed reading several more than once. What a great writer he was.

[@raphaelbernard7954]

Wonderful man RIP

[@SeattleShelby]

I’m torn between “You’ll clean that up before you leave” and the “Fate Amenable to Change” for best culture ship names.

[@ferrells0987]

This interview is such a treasure. Thanks

[@sacha6530]

I’m just discovering Iain M Banks, and I find out that sadly, he has died. I’ve read a great deal of Christopher Hitchens, and I only first heard of him on the day after he passed away. I also am a massive fan of Terry Pritchett, and guess what? Yep, you guessed it. It’s a travesty and a great loss. That great authors and men of words should be taken so early from life is crushing. The 21st-century has a lot to answer for.
🙁

[@kevinkelsey9845]

This is brilliant, thanks for tracking this down and uploading.

[@rockingjamie]

Wow! Thank you so much for this. Worth it alone for the scene of him swaggering along and swigging his bottle of Irn Bru haha.

[@shanegreenshields5754]

what a beautiful man and sublime story teller ;god rest your soul,,,,,,,

[@squamish4244]

It's a damn shame Iain isn't around today. I would have really liked to hear his views on the rise of AI, as he was one of the few sci-fi authors who didn't write artificial intelligence as evil or destructive, and that it could be much more powerful than us and yet be benevolent.

[@harimadhavan1712]

Thanks for putting this up. I feel very sad watching this. There will be no more "Culture" novels, by Iain. They are intelligent, thought provoking and very cleverly structured books. These are few and far between with regards to modern authors, and in particular Sci-fi ones. You have academically clever ones like Stephen Baxter, who does bring a Arthur C Clarke sense of wonder, but can't write good plots or characters, unfortunately. Imagine if Iain and Baxter had got together and wrote a book, maybe the Culture, in their universe, stumbling upon Xeelee artifacts, structures etc and the Culture minds trying to work it all out...

[@benlowery4981]

Neal Asher gets close, The Polity is what you'd get if you crossed The Culture with current society - It's a darker nastier universe - Asher's description of planets is fantastic.

[@c43sar]

I want to read that!

[@rebellion2054]

@@benlowery4981 appreciate this suggestion very much. Thanks

[@BasketCase]

Thank you :O)

[@dhrmeshpaswan5465]

Best books sir Iain Banks

[@rockingjamie]

Did you have any luck uploading the Terry Pratchett interview? Can't seem to find it on your account.

[@Nearrrggghh]

I do have the Terry Pratchett one, but TH-cam's algorithms take it immediately down if I try to upload it. Don't know why this one is allowed but the Pratchett one isn't.

[@SeattleShelby]

“Of course, I still love you.” - Rosie M. Banks (not really)

[@eckyx9019]

Read a few culture novels....just started The Wasp Factory.

[@HakimALIGHT]

"...set in an alternative universe called The Culture"
Uh Oh, someone did not do their homework!

[@dhrmeshpaswan5465]

Business Student

[@ivanragovich9531]

Miss his mind in the world. Keep going back to his shit. Comforting in some way

[@carlosfandango2419]

Who f*cking cares. This guy wrote the best science fiction series ever, no less. The depth here, the thought and lack of politics when it comes to The Culture just works, moving forward. Take them in, They all deserve you're time.

[@Ceidonianphysicist]

Lack of politics? What?!

[@carlosfandango2419]

@Chopin Chopin When I mention politics in this context it's about the human kind. I was trying to promote Iain's books, calm down and take a breath there sunshine.

[@carlosfandango2419]

@Chopin Chopin Go away, little person.