Chuck Palahniuk - A Masterclass in Creative Living and Dangerous Writing | The Tim Ferriss Show
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ค. 2024
- Chuck Palahniuk, Author of Fight Club - A Masterclass in Creative Living and Dangerous Writing | Brought to you by ShipStation (shipstation.com), ButcherBox (butcherbox.com/tim), and Thrive Market (thrivemarket.com/tim).
Writer Chuck Palahniuk (@chuckpalahniuk) has published twenty-three national and international best-selling books. These include fifteen prose novels, a collection of short stories, two graphic novels, two coloring books, a travel guide, a collection of essays, and a memoir about his life as a writer. He was raised in a desert town with a population of three hundred at the time of his birth in 1962. He received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon.
Palahniuk is best known for his novels Fight Club and Choke, both of which were made into films. Publication of his short story Guts in the Sunday Guardian prompted a sharp drop in circulation. He frequently contributed fiction to Playboy, where his stories Romance, Cannibal, and Zombie had to be personally approved by Hugh Hefner. His new book, The Invention of Sound, is coming out on September 8th.
Please enjoy!
The fallout from Chuck’s short story Guts [05:24]
Short stories vs. novels [10:39]
Tom Spanbauer and Gordon Lish tighten up Chuck's writing [12:28]
Writing with constraints [15:43]
What is dangerous writing? [17:31]
Chuck has said, “resolution is death,” so how does he end a story in a way that satisfies? [21:38]
In praise and defense of the short story [23:48]
How to engage an audience [27:06]
The day Chuck understood minimalism [30:17]
The secret leverage of making intentional mistakes [31:24]
The importance of mythology [37:31]
The consequences of disappointing his guardian angel [43:31]
Joseph Campbell’s secondary father concept and what it means for society [44:58]
How Chuck knows if he’s got a story worth telling [47:17]
Why 31 is not too old to write a genre- or generation-defining novel [49:22]
Can a narrative dictate social change? [51:16]
Thoughts on fathers and daughters, Jeffrey Epstein, The Wizard of Oz, and Nazis [55:11]
Has Chuck ever used narrative in hopes of generating social change? [57:06]
What’s behind Chuck’s fascination with cults social models? [58:50]
The story behind his acceptance of “kiss-off” money for Fight Club 1:05:23]
Was it immediately apparent that Fight Club would become a cultural mainstay? [1:07:30]
What may go to the grave with Chuck about Fight Club [1:08:40]
Does Chuck fear the abyss? [1:11:48]
What can we expect from Chuck’s latest literary offering: The Invention of Sound? [1:13:04]
Parting thoughts on novels as diaries, and how Chuck spent his childhood looting [1:16:25]
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About Tim Ferriss:
Tim Ferriss is one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Business People” and an early-stage tech investor/advisor in Uber, Facebook, Twitter, Shopify, Duolingo, Alibaba, and 50+ other companies. He is also the author of five #1 New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers: The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body, The 4-Hour Chef, Tools of Titans and Tribe of Mentors. The Observer and other media have named him “the Oprah of audio” due to the influence of his podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show, which has exceeded 500 million downloads and been selected for “Best of Apple Podcasts” three years running.
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Chuck is a master storyteller. They should give him a Netflix show where he just gets to tell stories. What a treasure of a human being.
Chuck's JRE episode is legitimately the best episode I've ever watched
Chuck always brings life to the party
your damn right
Agreed!
It was a good one, but the best
any way to see the full episode? i can only ever find curated clips
“We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.”
― Chuck Palahniuk
Indeed that's why is important to make the best out of it.
“we will never be as young as we are tonight” - another great quote from uncle Chuck
I am attracted to dogs, so I believe that humanity exists to serve these primitive creatures.
― Chuck Palahniuk
I love how he goes on a tangent to explain anything. It always ends up answering the question perfectly.
4:10 Intro
That helps a lot, thank you! :D
Thanks man!
Thank you!
Thanks, all those ads-I was gonna bale.
Thx
I just finished listening to this and will listen to it again right away because I want to absorb Palahniuk into my veins :)
I didn't expect Palahniuk to affect me so quickly (I love his work, and I always get something out of hearing him speak) but off the bat...
When I was a Christian Teenager, there was this bible camp thing. We'd call the spirit down, and some people would faint, a lot would speak in tongue, limping people would leave jumping about. One night, after a powerful sermon, everyone fainted. The music played for hours, and about 60 teenagers were sprawled on the floor. That was all of them, except me. It messed me up my whole Christian life "how did got not choose me?" "what's wrong with me?".
Even now as an atheist, I feel like I missed out on something. Like something was wrong with me, and that's why I never had a religious experience. Chuck, just mentioned off-hand, something that's given me immense closure.
This is probably boring. But yeah.
I am truly happy that Chuck has served you in this way. It's very important to resolve childhood traumas or challenges if you can. Congratulations buddy
That's a wild and crazy experience. Chuck would be interested and you may end up in his next book.
I was raised United Pentecostal and I fucking relate to this.
YOU are the one enlightened by not falling for that BS. Religion causes wars and hate more than good. Bravo for being real even though you were given the coolaid. Just think how screwed up those other teens are now after being tricked or had to fake fainting. Be honest. It may feel difficult in the moment but it is your strength in the end Sharing it helps others.
@@JnTmarie Is it just me - wouldn't this be a great novel.
Hey, Tim Ferriss - what an amazing interview. Thanks so much.
This was so much more fascinating than either of his JRE appearances. Great conversation, Tim and Chuck.
I watched him on JRE, definitely worth watching this one too
i actually disagree, i just finished listening to this and i would conclude it isn't worth the time.
Awesome, didn't know he had a JRE ep!! Excited to check that one out too! (and sorry bob, I disagree)
@@thePlum His name was Robert Paulson
He sure is an interesting fella.
One of the best interviews I’ve heard in a long time. Thank you.
In Fight Club, (the basement movie scene) He was writing about his own basement and he was Taylor Durden and the business owner was his father (in his parent's house) "When someone HAD to get hurt" to stop his parents from "fighting" in the basement of the business when he "Taylor" bled all over the owner) - This was his trying to get his dad to listen. He had to hurt himself to make him stop ...and listen to "what he wanted."
My guess is that the reason he subconsciously "slipped" and said "someone had to decide who got hurt" there was no decision to make ...it was was him.
Tim Ferriss, you earned my respect! You are an excellent interviewer! I was looking for something similar to Joe Rogan's, Chuck Palahniuk, interview (which disturbed and intrigued me) when i found your channel. Lucky me! Thank you!
He is my favorite interviewer.
Man.. everything from Chuck has been extremely uplifting and helpful on so many levels.. It especially hit home at the 41:20 mark when he gets into old concepts of creative types, and just keeps getting better from there. As a creative type myself, I happen to be a few months away from my 31st birthday.. it's good to have something to look forward to. Thanks Chuck
Love Chuck's books.
Starts at 4:11.
This is of such profound and impeccable quality that I will be returning for a refresher listen once every month or so. (After I watch it 3x in a row that is lol)
Absolutely captivating, this man is brilliant beyond brilliance.
Tim,
Your questions and research were outfuckingstanding!! Thank you so much!!!
Fantastic episode
Chuck is one of a kind, i fukn LOVE THIS DUDE! The honesty is bare bones.
Since he's never acknowledged his real inspiration for most of the book, would that make him dishonest, or just more interesting?
@@jah8875 not dishonest, he told the truth, hell no I won't tell u it's too dark, the interesting thing is, it's something he hasn't already made known about this character!? He owns the fact that he's into the most strange shocking shit, so yeah more interesting, WE'VE SEEN THE CLOSET, HE IS TELLING US THERE IS A BASEMENT THAT IS NOT SEEING LIGHT OF DAY😂😂😂 My Little take, thanks for asking
I'm only a year younger than Palahniuk, but I remember that in the fifth grade, age 11, my teacher had us watch a TV version of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. Child abuse or cool choice?! I don't know but I recall it half a century later when I don't remember any other class assignment details!
After three podcasts I stopped skip ADs because they add so much value to my life that I feel uncomfortable to skip them...
Got this on my watch-later list. Looking forward to this!
It doesn't stand the test of time.
Have you started reading his new book?
Did you watch it later?
This was great interview of my favorite author and thinker
“It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything.”
― Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club
“The things you own end up owning you”
Freedom's just another word, for nothing left to lose -- Janis Joplin
"For as long as I’ve been published I’ve tried to hide something. My neck. I have a long neck. That’s why the turtlenecks and stand-up collars. I gave up. I wondered why an author photo couldn’t be ugly. Search the web, and the best prison mug shots are a combination of menacing, tragic and clownish. I covered half my neck, my face and my shaved head with fake tattoos. Adam Levey put on Tom Waits and turned it up, loud. Edna O’Brien, I am not. Go figure, but the publisher loved it. A week later they didn’t like it. They say it might even hurt sales. We are currently in negotiations over a new-new jacket photo sans prison tats." ― Chuck Palahniuk
Krunoslav Stifter those are too well-done for prison tats....
He sure did a poor job in hiding his long neck all these years (not that he needed to, in my opinion)
@@FlavioDeFeo Maybe he was too self conscious. Why else would he write the kind of stuff he writes. There must be something wrong up there above the neck to have such world view. Enjoyable read, and brilliant writer, but not something I would want as son in law .
Krunoslav Stifter why? Because he had fake tattoos for a photo shoot?
@@CarlosBenjamin No, not the tattoos , I think that is his way of expressing himself. He likes to express his own anxiety in his writing and reading. So I think fake tattoo is the extension of that.
That was fab.
This was really great
Awesome.
Next level thinking🔥🤘🔥🤘
You know Chuck has to get sick and tired of saying the same answers to the same questions over and over. But god dammit he's such a good sport about it!
your best show
A really good interviewer.
Thank you
Whenever I'm tried of the expert positivist non-sense culture. I go back to Chuck and I feel normal again.
I have most of his books and have read part of Haunted and already 2-3 of his horror ideas in this book are mentioned at the start of this interview! And I also just ordered his latest book-”The Invention of Sound” (signed) I just knew that if his books were anything like ”Fight Club” the movie, his books had to be good.
About the 31 and 33 part. My father died a month after I turned 32 and of course, that changed my life.
I burnt my tongue on a pot pie this week. It's my favorite tongue. 😋
Interesting. Since I was maybe 19 I had this burning hunch that a lot of the modern literature I was reading had been somehow influenced by Stanislavski and the Jungians.
Nice one
Wow! Listened to this entire episode while I drove today. . . The image I had of Chuck while listening was soo different then what he actually looks like! I knew he was badass, but I still had a rather conservative guy image of him in my mind. Pretty hyped to see that he actually looks like a character in which he writes about!
The face tattoos are not real.
Sorry to disappoint, but he does look rather conservative in real life. Not that that is a bad thing!
@@FlavioDeFeo 😆 Thats crazy
you were doing that 'jerking around' thing he was talking about, weren't you
Are all his characters furries ? It's amazing that he can write at all.
there is a point in the interview where Chuck dives into the meaning of "liminal." can anyone kindly share the mark at which that segment begins. thank you.
1:01:17
What is the story about the mother and the daughter who won't talk to her over the phone called?
Secondary fathers gang thing is an amazing point. To look at gangsters evolving into musicians etc. On the point of them being stigmatized, it first made me think of afrika bambaata. Very tricky subject of what went on. But in the case of somebody like Michael Jackson being stigmatised, rightly or not he created some of the best music ever produced. It’s a very strange thing to see how people will turn away from the brilliant music because it reminds them instantly of negativity but it’s still undeniably great music. Back to bambaata, there’s a vast amount of music and culture he was responsible that is absolutely key to the puzzle. But simply doesn’t get referenced anymore.
Seems all great outlets and differences are stigmatized
i just wanna hear him talk about his reasoning to writing the Fight Club 2 and 3 comics. Its so hard to comprehend and such a fucking absurd conclusion to the masterpiece that is Fight Club.
jdogsful once or twice he said that someone convinced him to do so. And I believe he saw that as his “foot in the door” to the comic world (less heavy of a workload for a novel writer)
Fight Club is about a late adolescence male refusal of maturity, specifically a relationship of intimacy with their societal construct, fellow men, women and ultimately... himself.
He has a cool voice.
Me 31 listening to this, just finished my book 2 weeks ago :p
Thank god, I have time till I'm 33
dude, how much Pluto do you have in your astro chart??? mine is conjunct my ascendent and she's in the 12 house latching on to the rising sign in the 1st house of my personality for a 60 year ride - beat that!
Wow
5:25 to skip straight to Chuck
Thanks
In 2012, I noticed that Palahniuk (and Fincher) were satirising the large group awareness training (LGAT) industry in Fight Club (organisations like est, Lifespring and Landmark). Since I have bipolar disorder, since Palahniuk does not acknowledge doing this, and since no one else had noticed this before, people assumed I was nuts and that I was seeing connections where there weren't any. In the final appendix of my PhD thesis (2017) I explained these connections researchspace.ukzn.ac.za/handle/10413/15188, but it was only in 2019 that The Fincher Analyst read this essay and this "secret" was revealed thefincheranalyst.com/articles/lgats-and-fight-club-dissecting-a-delusion/. It turns out that I wasn't nuts, and that Palahniuk (and Fincher) were - like Tyler Durden - splicing hints at this abusive personal development industry into the book and the film. If you'd like to see undercover footage of the psychologically brutal trainings upon which Fight Club is based, then follow this link th-cam.com/video/Zx3HyF7v7Gs/w-d-xo.html. I hope you find it fascinating.
Great job man! I’m very impressed!
@@FlavioDeFeo HI. Ya, I actually only read the book a few years afterwards. Since a number of people who take part in these seminars do end up psychotic, I think the book ending may be a reference to his own response initially? Perhaps with the film, he'd had more time to process things and allowed himself to accept the uncomfortable evidence provided by Steven Pressman in 1993 ("Tyler worked as a banquet waitor at the luxurious Pressman Hotel...") or the evidence provided by Dr Margaret Singer in Cults in Our Midst in 1995 ("They think you're some kind of threat... I can't explain it right now..."). Since Fincher had to have been involved with things like "Emery Street" and "Franklin Street" (since these images were inserted), it seems the movie may been been bolder in its use of metaphor. Glad you enjoyed the read :)
(Sorry, that may have been a response to your comment about the book and the movie having different endings.)
The illiad and the odyssey were originally told as a story
Liability creating fearmongering and soulful accountabilitiless detachment is wreaking havoc on our country's ethics and actions including secondary father situation.
Word nerds ❤
Gold nuggets
How many Fight Clubs don't exist because the author understood what "fuck you" money is and turned it down?
I hope Tim Ferris puts out some fiction.
William Sokol Never thought I needed that, until I’ve read your comment!
Crazy how Chuck sounds almost exactly like Henry Rollins when he speaks.
Fight club is about PUMPING iron... get it? Now see it again.
People really need to stop bringing up the JRE podcast. Joe Rogan was way out of his element talking to him; this was a much better interview. I mean lets not forget JR thought at one point a beta reading group was referring to alpha beta dynamics lol.
Beavertop hats?
yes
17:14
Not fulfilling your destiny is the shit. Literally. Life on hell. But guess what-it isn't always your fucking fault. Some lives are 9 levels of difficulty and some are six. F . Sigh.
4:22 youre welcome
But I think it's making me feel faint. Argh. Head tips to side thank god I'm laying down like a schlub watching TH-cam.
Sounds like your body still knows how to save itself.. more than I can say for your mind
His books are awesome
Reminds me of Sam Harris
this is the live chat, yes?
Read backwards as intended. 😐
Sey, tahc evil eht si siht? 😁👍
For those of u thinking about rushing out to read rosemary's baby.... dont.... you'll be as disappointed as cartman reading catcher in the rye
Who the f has the energy to write about the worst parts of your life but make it worse to explore it ohhhhhhhh
Stephen king
I think the secret meaning of fight club was about homophobia and the trauma and shame of the aids pandemic....... thoughts?
Mm sexaholic
First
My life is the saddest story most privileged white people have ever heard. Biography anyone?
More than 3 minutes of verbal 'spam'.
I've studied text of "Choke", and have read at least 6 of C.P.'s books so I was tempted by the title of this clip;- but am not watching any more of this fecking shite
Don't bother! This is sooooo boring! Listen to Chuck on JRE! He brings out Chuck's hilarity! Tim does nothing for him!
Wow, such intellect!