I try to write about how we live today, how we use language, technology, our bodies.

Even a documentary portrait of a person that tries to be very accurate is shaped by the filmmaker in so many ways.

I locate a great deal of the power of Occupy Wall Street in the name itself, 'Occupy Wall Street,' or '#OccupyWallStreet.' It works because the name contains everything you need to know: the tactic and the target. The name is also modular. You can create your own offshoot in your own city.

Your memories from your early childhood seem to have such purchase on your emotions. They are so concrete.

Although a great restaurant experience must include great food, a bad restaurant experience can be achieved through bad service alone. Ideally, service is invisible. You notice it only when something goes wrong.

My teaching exists in a different part of my brain. However, I am lucky enough to teach very smart graduate students.

Yes, I did try acting when I was in high school and I was terrible at it. So I definitely have had the experience of being bad at artistic endeavor.