Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself
By Alan Alda
Review by Angela Hutchinson
Spirit-Works.net
After surviving a near fatal intestinal obstruction at the top of a mountain in Chile, actor Alan Alda was ready to begin a new life with a fresh sense of appreciation. Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself, Alda’s personal collection of humorous wisdom, is his second (I feel comfortable in predicting) best seller after the immensely successful Never Have Your Dog Stuffed. The author is a much beloved and respected actor who candidly shares his thoughts and memories of childhood, lessons learned, and the world around him.
Alda confesses, “Terrifying myself, it turns out, is one of the ways I have of feeling alive. It gives a sense of accomplishment to my life.” Accepting a variety speaking engagements and commencement addresses can drive this author into a creative space of humility and panic. What could he possibly offer to motivate medical graduates, young and brilliant scientists, historians…? Turns out…quite a bit. The book is full of inspirational speeches that motivated thousands and, according to the title, enlightened the author himself. In between his speeches, he writes as if engaged in running conversation on various topics that we all face in life and can relate to at one time or another. This man is truly gifted and can reach out to readers in a way that many attempt but often come up short. His engaging style is a bit reminiscent of Hawkeye, but maybe this is where Alda and Hawkeye meet, this candid humor and gentle sensibility.
“What does it mean to be human? It may be the most critical question we’ve ever asked in the life of our species, especially now-when our ability to destroy ourselves is so much greater than our ability to understand ourselves.” Alda touches on our ever increasing technology and our ever decreasing ability to know ourselves. It is a bit of a cultural quandary and the author challenges the reader to understand his/her calling and service to their fellow man. It can create a sense of meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.
Alda shares how he rejected science as a teen, believing he had to choose between the arts and science. He decided he was an artist. He now admits that he wishes he had found a way to embrace both. You can certainly feel the respect and maybe even a bit of envy he felt toward the group of future scientists he was called to inspire. Maybe that is why when he was asked to host Scientific American Frontiers it was a perfect fit.
He goes on to share a bit of the more “human” side of himself admitting to moments of fear and anxiety. “Anxiety is a powerful toxin. You can think you’re calm, in command of the moment, and be undergoing an anxiety attack as big as the Norman conquest. Learn what makes you anxious, learn how to control it, or it will control you….” Supportive and encouraging, the author takes on this malady of our society and manages to soothe the pain of self doubt.
While writing the book, Alda finds it a challenge to locate the true meaning of life. “Don’t go looking for Meaning. I once took that trip myself, thinking it would be fun and easy. I would look back at all the things I’ve said on days like this-urging young people in one way or another toward a life of meaning-and the answer would be clear. But I’ve come to hate the world. It’s meaningless. My dear friends, are you looking for meaning? Don’t do it. I’ve driven myself crazy with it. I have the distinct suspicion now that there is no hidden meaning to life. I have the distinct suspicion now that there is no hidden meaning to life. Looking for ones is just our problem solving brain chasing its tail-its long, lizardly, snake-brain tail. Whenever I’ve wanted some meaning, I’ve had to make it myself.” Alda may at first offend the gentle soul, but his ultimate elixir, to actively engage in living cannot be denied. “The meaning of life is life. Not noticing life is what’s meaningless, right down to the last second.”
“Notice.”
These are but a few thoughts shared by this endearing author. Alda offers his unique perspective on the meaning of life or lack thereof, and manages to keep us entertained from cover to cover. His writing style is comfortable and engaging. He speaks to the reader as if an old friend. As a father, husband, friend, and motivator, Alan Alda offers bits here and pieces there and has created a heartwarming contribution of soul food for the reader. I look forward to reading more from this author.