The politics of fiction | Elif Shafak

Listening to stories widens the imagination; telling them lets us leap over cultural walls, embrace different experiences, feel what others feel. Elif Shafak builds on this simple idea to argue that fiction can overcome identity politics.
TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at www.ted.com/tra....

[@hasanoral562]

The way that she relates different topics and melts them in a pot with an understanding, rational way is great! I am going read her books.

[@fatimaaminkhechen9268]

Hasan Oral she is an incredible writer , her books are also a mix of several topics, several cultures and a mix of totally different characters..

[@robertlesliefielding2506]

I am half way through Three daughters of Eve. It is rivettingly well written and insightful.

[@bigcatt859]

Don't waste your time

[@patriciaandrade9443]

​​@@bigcatt859 "no pierdas tu tiempo" ... de hecho, el tiempo nos pierde; un día, cualquiera, desaparecemos. Pero no para quien escribe... un día, cualquiera, será leído.

[@reemalsanea6669]

Just finished 40 rules of love. I’m crying. Watching her speech is making me cry more. Thank you Elif you are wonderful

[@munibmirza1392]

❤️

[@aizazali942]

I've read all of her novels almost...and all are the same

[@NaryBaku]

I've just finished reading her "Forty rules of love" and have to say that was more than a book.. Now I certainly know that there are still some people around the world who share my views and feelings.. She is definitely on my TO PERSONALLY MEET ONE DAY list !!!

[@abdulkanaan3731]

I just finished reading the "Forty Rules of love" and I found it an amazing one. Did you read any of her other books?

[@janeadlington7150]

A wonderful book

[@nikosgus3213]

Being a Greek and listening to this guzel woman so wise and so witty I feel that I love Turkey for creating such a creative creature. Such a positive energy...

[@atatv7386]

nasıya

[@ЕкатеринаЕпимахова-ц9х]

Ben

[@ЕкатеринаЕпимахова-ц9х]

@@atatv7386😊

[@ABetterYouEm]

I wish there was a love button on KZbin - this woman is amazing!

[@TheEricthunder]

This is the beauty of an open mind. Deep!

[@kouture10]

This is my first time listening to Elif talk. She is so interesting. I read her novel The Bastard Of Istanbul, the one she talked about, and it was fabulous. I enjoyed it very much. I love how she is so neutral in her book. She has all these different characters, different cultures and religions, and all she does is tell their story. No bias. No preference. Narrating their feelings, thoughts, and behavior.

[@plutopluto6699]

She gave an inspiring speech. I strongly believe she is what she says she is. She is a great representative of Humanity, women, Turkey and Turkish culture, Islam and PEACE. The past is over, all nations of the world has a "DIRTY PAST". We should stop blaming of each other for the past but plant the beautiful, righteous, fruitful plants so our offspring can have love for one another instead of animosity. Turks, Greeks, Arabs, Japanese, Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus and others.

[@hiveabdidilan6273]

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@a_bilgic]

“Come, let us be friends for once; let us make life easy on us; let us be lovers and loved ones; the earth shall be left to no one.” Stories bring us together and connect us. She is using her stories to hug and to love all people. She is great. She has a brilliant mind. She is presenting Turkish culture in the best way. She is very successful with her own identity or characteristics.

[@satyamsingh4653]

''She is presenting Turkish culture in the best way.'' you just did what she warned you, identity politics. She was trying to emphasize the reach of fiction beyond any identity and as a writer and thinker, she was trying to unite all.

[@zephaniahkitilah]

​@@satyamsingh4653I see you've decided to be a doer of the word😊 attention to details to the maximum....

[@RashmikaLikesBooks]

Yes! As a South African woman, I feel the exact same pressure she does. I am often seen as the representative of a group rather than an individual.

[@robertlesliefielding2506]

I worked with South Africans in the Gulf and I agree, the tendency was to judge them on whaT THEIR GOVERNMENT WAS DOING. i RESISTED lest they do the same with me. Sorry for the caps. I am not angr.

[@Reader_curiosity]

the forty Rules of Love ... Elif Shafak is the best novelist in Turkey. Among the giants of world novel literature with Dostoyevsky, Hugo, Tolstoy, Márquez and others. Shafak approach is closer to Tolstoy's method of adopting just causes and working to enlighten and confront governments and not to involve high towers and revolution on the current conditions and strive for the best.

[@cnsl51]

She is undescribable! She is an amazing woman, a marvelous author and a Great person!

[@simransahu6096]

Come, " let us be friends for once, let us make life easier on earth, let us be the lovers and loved ones the earth shall be left to no one! #sufism ❤ #elifshafak ❤ so blessed to have this !!!!!!!!

[@munibmirza1392]

❤️

[@kimjongchill114]

woah ! Her speech rasonates in me deeply ! Thank You Elif Shafak ! Much Love from a cambodian living in Germany 🥰🥰🥰💚💜💛

[@peacefulsoul1390]

I just came here to see her after reading forty rules of love and three daughters of eve and I am not disappointed ♥️keep writing for us👍

[@robertlesliefielding2506]

Mid way through Three daughters. It is so penetrating and well written. I love it and will pass it on to my wife, who is Turkish.

[@narutosasuke84]

this author is making me more of a spiritual man. just read 40 rules of love.

[@meleknennioglu1446]

MBN what about this book?

[@meleknennioglu1446]

MBN i read it. but i read Turkish and its name is only "Love". it is so amazing.

[@ozland7172]

@@meleknennioglu1446 love and 40 rules of love 2 different books.. the second book is written based on the first one.

[@meleknennioglu1446]

@@ozland7172 thanks

[@akanksha2925]

Haha... Same with me. I even talked to my parents about their recation if I decide to go to an ashram.

[@hanawana]

'What is most personal is most universal." - Carl R. Rogers

[@P00P0STER0US]

This is such a perfect expression of how I feel. That little poem at the end took me by surprise, and I got a little choked up over the sentiment. Tear down the walls. Communicate with an open heart.

[@DavidRandallCurtis]

One of the best lectures on writing I've ever heard.

[@sheriffhaidara7232]

I'm deeply impressed by this speech! I wish to know your secret and then embrace it in order to get out of the circle of fear and cowardice.

[@flyordie11]

she talks 100% sense.. amazing

[@muhammedkus3708]

This is one of the most successful ted talks I have ever watched! She is very talented with words. She can describe things in detail with great structure.

[@a.m.senany34]

Great, heart & mind moving talk. She’s a true prophet of staying united against divisiveness & bias: through 1st class literary work 👍

[@HarryKrinkle]

Agree 100% with everything she says, and...shallow as it may be for me to say, she is preternaturally beautiful. I'll have to read her books.

[@mrhypnagogia]

this talk moved my heart

[@nkaramya]

One of the best books I read recently - "The Bastard of Istanbul" - it's amazing...Didn't want to finish it pitying the minute I'd come to the last page closing with it the colorful world she had put together in the novel...Admire the author so much - how wise, smart, emotional, and spiritual she is!

[@4546-u5y]

She has a superb mind, a vocabulary that is unmatched, and she exudes elegance. Even though I'm a straight lady myself, I'm truthfully in love.

[@AhmetKKiraz]

Elif Şafak's stories with Fatih Akın's skills can be wonderful movies together.. with love from Region of Western Black Sea :)

[@LightWillSine]

Thats well said. Smart people try to change the world, Wise people try change their selves. Such a wise author. Loved it a lot.

[@derisivepeanut]

This is my favorite TED Talks video.

[@fatimaaminkhechen9268]

ashleigh fortier mine too ❤

[@AliRaza-gb7jf]

Same situation is here. Someone recommended me to read this book. From the title I found this book based on the traditional love of a girl and a boy. But when I started reading it, my interest in it increased. I have completed Forty Rules of Love. It is a wonderful book that takes the reader elsewhere. After completing it, thinking about many things has changed.Definatly wonderful book.Thankx to you ELif..lot of respect and love.

[@Kieku66]

She made me cry...

[@moonaa4495]

Same

[@MargauxKim_13]

I like this talk so much. It's so interesting in so many ways.....

[@q12x]

Da, very impressive discussion. I love it. I wish she can speak again sometime, especially about her grandmother customs.

[@majestic4652]

Teodor Foca what will u do with her grandmum's customs? lol

@@majestic4652 not costumes!

[@FeedMe12345]

Biricik Solak not everything is about “doing something with that info” lol lol lol

[@דפנהברתור]

Amazing and inspiring.

[@MuChoLife]

and i also love writting in German, Arabic, and Korean, they allow me to flow across dividers and welcome things that others may fear or condem

[@arianeozalp]

I just got my first book "Honour" and it is so amazing. I hope I can meet Elif Shafak one day in real and get her signature on my books! Respect from Brazil.

[@Darksagan]

AMAZING! Her story would make a great movie.

[@hemangchauhan2864]

So much of this is applicable to Internet age. Same goes for how fiction and storytelling have turned out in 2010s / 2020s (imagination is all gone)

[@weaskun]

Never heard of Elif, beautiful person. Ill definitely find one of your books..

[@robertlesliefielding2506]

Three daughters of Eve is a good one

[@shahmuhammadnizamani9586]

Respect from Pakistan. Just completed reading Forty Rules of Love, a wonderful read (Y)

[@busrafincan7251]

the stories are fiction, not politics... she is an amazing writer...

[@amanemohamed3188]

Thank you for The Forty Rules of Love. I really appreciate it.

[@ayeshamansoor991]

i never knew writers face a sort of racialism too but still being a writer is a gift and they should be respected

[@fazeelmahboob8978]

This lady is beyond admiration. Just finished forty rules of loves and profoundly enjoyed it (9th May 2021, 2120hrs)

[@dryan2259]

Wow! As soon as the camera cut to her while she spoke, I just went wow! She's incredible.

[@raggaahmed8626]

Wow. indeed!

[@sabazamzam539]

She is an intellectual woman and an excellent writer. I had never heard her speak before. Coincidentally, i came across her TED talk and never for a moment did i lose interest in her speech. If anything, i want to listen to her more.

[@joeytoastson967]

You are a genius.

[@mikinidk]

Amazingly insightful, I'm an instant admirer! Mikkel,

[@rubin2130]

Ayakta alkışlanacak değerli yazarımız Elif Şafak 👏❤

[@TheDHEL13]

That is so true, they look at the background of author rather than their creation.

[@normandygonzalo7902]

Very impressive! I'm almost done in reading one of her books "the three daughters of eve" and now I know where the protagonist (Peri) was based on... well it was Elif Shafak herself

[@Peri567]

I was looking for this comment! I mean I thought exactly the same thing while listening to her! Peri is undoubtedly inspired by Elif herself!

[@iqraali14]

I read 40 rules of love ...n fell in love with this mazing writer

[@TravelsNTrips]

Golden Words, should be written in Gold water

[@orangepeelpeel]

very smart woman. not a single second wasted

[@friendinmiami]

She says, about the difficulty of acquiring another language (and stories from other lands, I feel), "...but if we manage not to be frightened by it, it's also stimulating." This is really the message of her talk - for those who can manage not to be too frightened by that which is different, then difference - of diet, of stories, of music, of art and culture - the exposure to difference can be wonderfully stimulating.

[@asthetics..]

She has magic in her words.. enchanting converse she does have...May Elif be bless 🙌

[@Halilbayrak9191]

One of the best Ted talks..Congrat Elif Shafak ,proud of you.

[@moonaa4495]

I FEEL therefore I am freeeeeeeeeeee I think therefore I AM

[@nooraniali]

I enjoyed and felt every part of her speech. Fiction is something reserved for the Western authors, while we must be true to ourselves. Westerners have no idea how life-consuming it is for us to integrate and to meet up to the expectations that will always want to push us to say our story the way they like to hear it.

[@Psyence1987]

I really enjoyed this. I'm currently trying to read 100 books in a year as a challenge to get myself back into the habit of reading. I spent too much time with videogames and movies for a while and forgot how much I loved books.

[@androc75]

What a rambler! Just unloading everything she's memorised with little pause.

[@Nowhere9]

لا أمل من سماع حديثها، وقراءة كتبها، ملهمة جدا

[@babelfsh66]

I m surprised to see her on Ted. And even though I ve always found her very pretentious, this was a beautiful speech. There are a lot of people in Turkey, who live in the inbetween area, culturally. Not exactly European but not traditionally Turkish either. And to be a writer inbetween can be very frustrating. I was taught to write about what i know . This is very hard since what i know is mostly foreign culture but i m completely Turkish. Just like most of my generation. I ll take her advice..

[@manabbiswas6274]

Simply wonderful statement of a brave writer who dares to speak out to the world. Thanks fot that.

[@RiotOfVio]

Amazing speech and good pr for herself:) Adorable lady

[@abdulkanaan3731]

I just finish reading "The Forty Rules of Loves" and it is my first ever Novel I read. She is a amazing writers and I would love to meet her one day. Elif, thank you for the book

[@الاميرةسندريلا-ي1غ]

سأصبح يوما مثلك 🧡

[@sazomar4569]

Just Love It ! I think I needed To Read Elif Şafak's Books in my life ...

[@NatralisticPantheist]

WONDERFUL!! SO WISE!

[@SuperJohn011]

Wow! I love the way she articulates her words! Everything she utters sinks in me so deep and causes vibrations in my mind. I wonna read her books!

[@aseelanan1747]

Beautifully said!Thank you Elif for all of you've written and presented

[@waseemahmadnaeem9504]

Thank you

[@craigpointon8394]

Incredible.

[@mites7]

Listening to this woman is better than drugs

[@jacqo4426]

She is easily my newest favourite novelist!

[@CrazyWatcher670]

"Identity politics divides us" well said in today's time.

[@lucydoran2470]

wonderful woman, with much to pass on

[@amorespectocore]

that is such a lovely and constructive way of expressing the contemporary problems of the world...

[@kvancerdogan6206]

Awesome!

[@evanadamsmanga]

very enlightening talk, Thank you.

[@moonaa4495]

Yes, one of the best

[@vaqifqaziyev8518]

What a wise woman! İ'm admiring her!

[@SunBeamsan]

BEAUTIFUL!!!!

[@dragica124]

i love her and I have read almost everything she has written. cant decide which one is my favourite

[@arvindchandra8457]

Absolutely superb! 👌👌

[@als07369]

God, is she an angel?

[@yigitali3667]

helal olsun cidden..

[@habibanowrose1323]

Brilliant talk. Thanks

[@latifullahjalal3124]

amazing speech

[@NexusCrawler72]

Excellent! So poised and well spoken.

[@AygunSharafkhanli]

I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH ELIF SHEFEK. REGARDS FROM AZERBAIJAN !!!

[@VanCamelCat]

As an Israeli... And much more than that: as a Person - I found this lecture beautiful, inspiring, exciting, and liberating. Thank you - For a wonderful half hour =)

[@manjeethirani4756]

Love you! I have read all your books.. waiting for more:)

[@Aro2220]

She is an excellent speaker and storyteller.

[@Benderrr111]

Bu kadının kendini ifade edebilme yeteneğine hayranım..

[@istanbul226]

I've not read any her books, I can't judge whether she is good for bad author however in this video she demonstrates that she is a good storyteller.

[@akanksha2925]

I don't know why, but I feel like someday I will be visiting Aziz's grave. 'The forty rules of love' made a deep impression on my heart ❤️. All the characters, their stories are embossed on my heart. Just wish I could Elif once in my life. I just lived her fiction.

[@jwd2003]

Great talk

[@parmbirsingh6378]

"Cultural cocoons" what a nice term