Note from Tucker

I was re-reading Emily Wilson’s translation of the THE ODYSSEY because, as you likely know, there’s a big ass Christopher Nolan movie coming out soon that I will go see. If you can’t brave reading the poem, or feel lost, I suggest Wilson’s context-building introduction and thoughtful analysis of this ancient tale. It’s nearly 80 pages of learning that I forgot I needed.

I wish I had her translation back in high school. Better Wilson’s intro than the 1997 mini-series, which was rolled in front of my English class in freshman year, seven years old by then, shown through a blocky TV on a wheeled cart.

In Wilson’s introduction there are many treasures, but one that stood out on was the concept of Xenia, “a word that means both ‘hospitality’ and ‘friendship.’” Set in a time before money or hotels or Airbnb, public transportation, THE ODYSSEY can be read as a set of case studies of exercising xenia. For travelers, soliders, and beggars alike, hospitality created the experience of travel and movement away from home — a oversized concept woven into the poem. Visiting new lands, being a guest in homes creates the line between friend, stranger, and enemy.

Xenia shares an origin with Xenos, which can mean stranger and friend. Xeno is the root word for “xenophobia” a common word in our current discourse that calls a fear of strangers or foreigners. Wilson points out, “the sadly less common 'xenophilia,’ the love of strangers or of unknown objects” is also a rooted in the word xeno. But alas, is not used nearly enough — or known.

I’d forgotten the concept, or not known, the word xenophilia, but it strikes me as beautiful and adventurous. You lead with curiosity about the world rather than fear or dislike. Home may be a comfort, but the world beyond is worth exploring and respecting, celebrating.

THE ODYSSEY is a complicated story, especially with how its main character approaches foreign lands, but I think the idea of xenophilia, of xenia, is an idea from the world Odysseus inhabits, is one many of us could use. Wonder over assumption.

Adventure Prompt: Go to a place or event that is strange to or unknown to you. Attend a concert of music you know nothing about; go to a museum you never have visited; eat food you haven’t tried; walk around in a side of town you don’t know a lot about. If you’re feeling expansive, get a map out build an interest list of countries you’d like to visit some day.

Resources

• The New Odyssey Movie Is Sparking a Right-Wing Backlash. This Female Scholar Knows It Well (A good article on Wilson’s experience of making THE ODYSSEY new)

• How to Start by Jodi Kantor is something you should by every graduate or person making a career change.

• The 30-day challenge from Well, It Depends Labs for building podcasts could be helpful for anyone looking to make their own podcast.

• With A.I., you might be able to outsource your thinking, but not your understanding. Such a good idea that’s from this X Post; and this discussion on productivity apps between journalists Casey Newton and David Pierce.

Stuff I did this week

• New Book Stuff episode out this week featuring writer Robyn Ryle, the author of the novel SEX IN THE MIDWEST. Robyn and I talked about her decision to take on the pandemic in these stories, how small towns aren’t really boring at all, and why, despite the title of her book, there wasn’t an outright sex scene. See on Apple and Spotify.