Marina Hyde, the Guardian's award-winning columnist, appears on the newspaper's podcast to mark the publication of her new book, What a Time to Be Alive!. In a wide-ranging conversation with Nosheen Iqbal she reflects on the strange contours of contemporary public life and the ways journalists and readers alike cope with an unrelenting news cycle.
"I think increasingly the way to survive the news is to say things like: 'I find it fascinating from a human behaviour point of view,'" Hyde tells Iqbal, adding that such a stance can act as a shield. "It's like a firewall against actually thinking: 'My God, I mean, what are we living through?'" The comment captures a recurring theme in the discussion: humour and detachment as tools for processing politically and culturally overwhelming events.
Across the episode Hyde touches on a range of subjects that feature in her new work, including Donald Trump, developments in artificial intelligence, the culture of Silicon Valley "tech bros," and high-profile moments from popular culture such as Taylor Swift's wedding. She also recounts a chance, tragic encounter with Labour leader Keir Starmer, which she discusses as part of the book and the interview.
Listeners can expect the podcast to combine Hyde's forensic observational style with broader reflections on how public figures and technological change shape public conversation. The episode offers a companion to the written collection, presenting the comedian-tinged criticism and political commentary for which Hyde is known.
The interview is available through the Guardian's podcast feed, where Hyde and Iqbal explore how satire, journalism and personal response intersect as the news agenda continues to shift rapidly.