The Pinball Theory of Apocalypse | Jonathan Selwood | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Jonathan Selwood discusses his debut novel, "Pinball Theory of Apocalypse," set in Los Angeles and explores themes of art, love, and the impending end of the world.

Transcript

okay hi I'd like to welcome everybody to the inaugural authors at Google San Francisco office event and it's fitting that we should have an inaugural author here with us today Jonathan selwood and with his first book the pinball theory of Apocalypse we're very excited to kick this program off in San Francisco and um I'm just going to go into a bit ... Read More

Key Insights

• ❤️‍🩹 "Pinball Theory of Apocalypse" is a dark comedy set in Los Angeles that explores the chaos and delusions of the art scene and the impending end of the world.
• 💗 The author's personal background growing up in Hollywood and his experiences in other cities influence the setting and themes of the book.
• ❤️‍🩹 The title refers to a theory in the book predicting the end of the world through planet collisions, symbolizing the chaos and destruction in the protagonist's life.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the main focus of "Pinball Theory of Apocalypse"?

The book explores the life of Isabelle, a talented painter who experiences personal and professional chaos as her career takes off in the art scene of Los Angeles.

Q: How does the author's personal background influence the story?

Selwood's upbringing in Hollywood and his experiences in different cities, such as Mexico and New York, inform the book's setting and themes, capturing the essence of Los Angeles and the delusions of its inhabitants.

Q: What is the significance of the title "Pinball Theory of Apocalypse"?

The title refers to a theory introduced in the book that predicts the end of the world through the collision of planets resembling pinballs. It symbolizes the impending chaos and destruction in the protagonist's life and the world around her.

Q: How does the book blend comedy and darkness?

The book is a dark comedy that delves into the absurdity of Los Angeles and the art scene, using humor to explore themes of love, art, and the impending end of the world.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jonathan Selwood introduces his debut novel, "Pinball Theory of Apocalypse," a dark comedy set in Los Angeles about a talented painter named Isabelle and the chaos in her life as she becomes the "it girl" of the art scene.

• Selwood shares his personal background growing up in Hollywood and spending time in Mexico and New York before settling in Portland, Oregon.

• He explains the inspiration behind the book, including his experiences during the Los Angeles riots in 1992 and his observations of the city's unique and often delusional culture.