Off Mike | Michael Krasny | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Dr. Michael Krasny, host of KQED's Forum, discusses his new memoir Off Mike, sharing personal stories and encounters with notable individuals in the literary and radio world.

Transcript

hi everyone and welcome to today's authors at google event i'm pleased to have michael krasny with us today as our guest and we probably all know him as the host of kqed's forum the station's live interview and listener call-in show before joining kqed in 1993 dr krasny was a host on kgo radio and he's been a professor of english at san francisco s... Read More

Key Insights

• 🛟 Dr. Krasny's memoir explores the intersection of literature and life, offering personal narratives alongside profiles of notable writers.
• 😮 The coarsening of the culture and the rise of sensationalism in media have led to a divide in public discourse.
• 📺 The internet provides opportunities for civil discourse and alternative perspectives, while television remains largely focused on controversy and entertainment.
• 🤔 Dr. Krasny emphasizes the importance of informed citizenship and critical thinking in countering the divisive culture.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Dr. Krasny's career as a radio host begin?

Dr. Krasny started his career as a radio host on KGO radio and later joined KQED in 1993 as the host of Forum.

Q: What inspired Dr. Krasny to write his memoir?

Dr. Krasny wanted to have something enduring in written form that would capture his love of literature and his own personal journey as a radio host.

Q: How does Dr. Krasny navigate the divide between commercial and public talk radio?

Dr. Krasny found that commercial talk radio was more focused on sensationalism and entertainment, while public talk radio allowed him to focus on community service and education.

Q: What are some of the challenges Dr. Krasny faces as a radio host?

Dr. Krasny shares stories of difficult interviews, such as his encounter with Gore Vidal, and the need for self-restraint and composure in the face of controversy.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Dr. Krasny talks about his new memoir Off Mike, which explores his love for literature and his career as a radio host.

• He shares anecdotes about his encounters with famous people such as Stephen Jay Gould and Whoopi Goldberg.

• The book moves between literature and life, offering a personal narrative alongside profiles of various writers.