Neil Gaiman: The Julius Schwartz Lecture at MIT

Neil Gaiman is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book. He has won numerous awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker awards, as well as the Newbery and Carnegie medals. He is the first author to win both the Newbery and the Carnegie medals for the same work, The Graveyard Book (2008). In 2013, The Ocean at the End of the Lane was voted Book of the Year in the British National Book Awards.
This talk includes a conversation with MIT Comparative Media Studies founder and media scholar Prof. Henry Jenkins.
The Julius Schwartz Lecture is hosted by the Comparative Media Studies program at MIT and was founded to honor the memory of longtime DC Comics editor Julius "Julie" Schwartz, whose contributions to our culture include co-founding the first science fiction fanzine in 1932, the first science fiction literary agency in 1934, and the first World Science Fiction Convention in 1939. Schwartz went on to launch a career in comics that would last for well over 42 years, during which time he helped launch the Silver Age of Comics, introduced the idea of parallel universes, and had a hand in the reinvention of such characters as Batman, Superman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman and the Atom.
Read a full write-up! mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/...

[@edwardswayze48]

My adult deaf son is even more a sci-fi nerd than his Dad. These two are blazing stars in our universe. I'll share to him, but would be so pleased if captioning, or ASL translation were added.

[@LongRest]

I am leaving this sacrificial comment as an offering to algorithm gods so this interview can be heard by a next thousand of KZbin viewers. Hail, Algorithm Gods!

[@GreggTurnbull]

I am replying to said sacrifice to extend its longevity. Thank you kind soul.

[@nazimelmardi]

So say we all!

[@drradska8107]

I love his rich and witty language. This is the first time I see him speak, and it is brilliant. Well done, Neil.

[@lindalong5052]

Neil is such an engaging speaker. I've just listened to him for nearly 2 hrs and, not being a fan of sci fi or comics, at least 75% of his references went straight over my head. I was totally engaged anyway. I only heard of NG by way of Terry Pratchett whose books I listened to at bedtime when my son was younger (and which we both then went on to read independently). Anyway,if anyone is in London at the moment (early April 2022) there's currently a stage version of Ocean at the End of the Lane playing. I loved it.

[@danielahitstheroad]

Children's fiction, good fiction, has to be exciting enough to keep the kids entertained and easy enough so adults can follow. Neil ticks all the boxes and The Graveyard Book teaches you so much no matter what age you are .

[@philipclayberg4928]

"Tell it again, but tell it your way." (advice that Neil got from another author)

[@PeaceLoveHonor]

Brilliant as always! Thanks to the folks that recorded this and made it available.

[@Bmayo27]

49:05 - Anout Norse mythology: “They’re cold, they’re miserable, they’re grumpy. And, it’s all going to end in tears and death. And, in the meantime, let’s get drunk.”

[@Melting-bones]

Honestly except from the ending in tears an death part, it all still very much applies to us today

[@papaslap7350]

"Retell it. Use seahorses. It's brilliant. -Neil Gaiman

[@theoneonly2406]

He’s an amazing storyteller you can see it in this lecture, how he captures the audience. It doesn’t even matter the subject if the author can capture his audience the book will sell.

[@kevj4584]

"This was not a satisfying cinematic experience." One of his funniest quotes of all time haha

[@tonidrago9443]

I really enjoyed this interview/talk. Neil is inspiring and entertaining!

[@hnttakata713]

High art; stick it to ‘em when you are capable to endure and be proud, in fact....relish in being from the ‘gutter. How honest and how refreshing to admit your authentic nature and realize, these experiences enrich the soul, and life.

[@lauraswearingen-steadwell787]

I’m in love with his brain.

[@ShaeMacMillan]

I got many insights on how the writer gets ideas. Thanks for sharing!

[@boreddude90]

fantastic. Brilliant. Loved this talk, tanks for uploading this :)

[@brigittegerlach]

Glorious. He laughs us through the major problems. Genius.

[@whssy]

The bit about musicals was hilarious.

[@SaschaVIE]

The "S" in MIT stands for the good "S"ound.

[@Vidyut_Gore]

Neil Gaiman is just gorgeous and irreplaceable for how he sees the world.

[@Marialla.]

1:42:03 makes me want to read Dickens now with fresh eyes!

[@RelaxxationStation]

what an interesting person Neil is

[@lindalong5052]

I'd love a pair of sneakers that would enable me to run. but then I'm not 12. I'm an ol' lady with an ankle injury

[@hhmediaent]

These 2 men are only two years apart.

[@smurfmama2020]

This guy can read ingredients on a box of cereal and make it sound mesmerizing.

[@TenEnvelopes]

31:15 - Must be an American thing (Bradbury was American), because when I worked full-time with boys 12-18, literally their most prized possessions were their shoes. Jordans were highly coveted, mostly for their ability to confer social status. Once I wore Vans I'd bought from a thrift store and got compliments all day long. These boys would wear the same clothes five days in a row, yet painstakingly scrub their shoes with detergent and an old toothbrush to keep them pristine. They cared more about shoes than any woman I have met in my life.

[@Schadenfreude24]

Yes, Gaiman missed the point re the Dandelion Wine mention. The sneakers were symbolic of much more than the sneakers themselves, but also articulated a specific moment in space and time. The concept of 'running forever' was also quite significant.

[@lauraswearingen-steadwell787]

It’s the “running forever,” I believe, that’s unrealistic! Not the shoe adoration. ;)

[@NinjaofApathy]

Interestingly, it is common withing certain subcultures (both within America and otherplaces) most boys aren't obsessed with that. There's quite a bit of multi media besides Bradbury's writing that reflects fantastical ideals of someone's dreams of something silly as a brand of shoes.

[@lindalong5052]

yes. I taught 13-14 yr old boys for a while in a boys-only school. they were obsessed with labels especially on their trainers. the mockery and shame inflicted if your mum couldn't afford any but cheap trainers was beyond belief.

[@sharonjansen6875]

The Graveyard, I read it.

[@aashidhaniya]

It's Coraline not Caroline, why would he do this. :/

[@PainMonkey]

Aashi Dhaniya That was obviously a typo by the mice. Who ever heard of the name Coraline? Not Caroline at all? It's just like that time I tried to get them to go "Oompa! Oompa!" And they would only go "teedlee tee!"

[@rachelpastors]

LOLOL- YES! Someone else who'd thought that.

[@capes_and_tights]

1:27:00

[@KalleVilenius]

I know exactly what he means when he talks about those dolls, goddamn. No clue what the people who made them were thinking.

[@More13Feen]

I too, shall leave a comment for the god of the algorithem. For shall it bring good content to me and to others

[@DigitalBrooke]

I want a Neil Gaiman pinball machine.

[@sophie-ij5qe]

oh ye gods of the algorithm, i beseech you to send this treasure to more of your people.

[@sharonjansen6875]

I did a retelling of Red Riding Hood.

[@howardkoor9365]

What a mind on that boy!

[@Harpysylph]

Nah, retell it. Use seahorses; it’s brilliant.

[@VuotoPneumaNN]

Damn, The Eternals was really cursed from the start not to work within the Marvel Universe.

[@HomeAtLast501]

Thirteen and a half minutes in, and I haven't laughed even once, and I am mystified as to why the audience is laughing.

[@KayAmooty433]

Gaiman "missed the point" re Dandelion Wine? Yes. I'm sure it went right over his head.

[@BucketOfMarbles]

Great interview but whoever did Neil's makeup needs to be fired.

[@robynvanhorn]

Omg I taught my daughter to ride her bicycle in a cemetery. Her dad ( my ex) freaked out 😂😂 I said what you worried the zombies are going to get her. 🤣😂

[@sharonjansen6875]

🤣😂

[@sharonjansen6875]

Snowwhite was a vampire.

[@BatteryExhausted]

Found Neil to be a little bit... 'too cool for school' here. I felt he feels a lot more cool than he really is. Like that teacher who thinks they are down with the kids. Surprised to find him slightly repellant.

[@babycheesus666]

he is too cool for school

[@adamplentl5588]

Yeah he's exactly as cool as he thinks he is.

[@mayaenglish5424]

How dare he be Intelligent and articulate AND make people laugh with his wit?!?!?! The MONSTER!!! 🙄 lol

[@lindalong5052]

I'd love a pair of sneakers that would enable me to run. but then I'm not 12. I'm an ol' lady with an ankle injury