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The Interview January 14, 2026

George Saunders on People, Kindness and Evil

Summary

The transcript explores the disconnect between individuals' personal values of kindness and their broader actions that may harm others, focusing on why people who love their families can still engage in destructive behaviors. The speaker references political discourse and uses metaphorical examples to illustrate the complex psychological gap between personal ethics and systemic actions. Ultimately, the discussion suggests that most people are not inherently evil, but there remains a profound and unresolved question about what motivates people to act against their own stated principles of kindness and compassion.

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