The directors of Dhaka Lit Fest promised three days of scintillating discourse at the festival this year, and the opening plenary, titled “Post America Future” kicked off with that very aim in mind. Moderated by K Anis Ahmed, DLF director and fiction writer, the panel featured Adam Johnson, David Biello, James Meek, Nisid Hajari and Courtney Hodell.
DLF Director K Anis Ahmed opened the discussion by setting it in the context of the ways in which recent developments in US politics have influenced the rise of populism and censorship around the world, particularly in the spheres of culture and literature.
British author James Meek, winner of the Orwell Prize, drew parallels between populism in the US and the mood in the UK after the Brexit announcement. “It cuts into the sense of who you actually think you are,” he said, referencing not just Trump and Brexit, but his experience of living in and writing about Russia and Ukraine.
Pulitzer winner Adam Johnson spoke briefly on writing about North Korea, and expressed that his main concerns were about climate change, and the shift in attitudes from community spirit towards self interest.
« Where the turbulent waters are, that’s where the nutrients are, and that’s where the fish go » Courtney Hodell #DLF2018
— DhakaTribune (@DhakaTribune) November 8, 2018
Courtney Hodell, director of the writing programs for the Whiting Award, injected a note of hope saying, “Where the turbulent waters are, that’s where the nutrients are, and that’s where the fish go,” indicating that the political turbulence is likely to yield promising new writers.
Science curator for TED, David Biello spoke of the effect of technology on discourse, reluctantly referencing “fake news” and its ability to trigger communalism. “We’re getting an early taste of the big changes that are yet to come,” he said, talking about humanity’s impact on the planet, as well as on politics. He expressed the hope that technology would be able to reverse the harm done by humans, provided we could find the political and personal will to do so.
Award-winning author and journalist Nisid Hajari expressed his concerns regarding the economic impact of social media, how violence can be triggered by rumours and how oversimplified political messages could have devastating effects.