You find this watered-down enlightenment sold in mass quantity at yoga studios, high-priced shamanism retreats, DJ-fueled Ecstatic Dance parties, ayahuasca ceremonies, and self-empowerment seminars. There's a hope for a quick fix - if only we have the money and right… — Alexander Weinstein Copy Share Image
I was really interested in this ability for others to create virtual memories for us. In "The Cartographers" I explore this through Adam Woods,… — Alexander Weinstein Copy Share Image
“The city overwhelmed me. Every day I’d walk by hundreds of strangers, compete for space in crowded coffee shops, and stand shoulder to shoulder on packed subway cars. I’d scan profiles, learning that the woman waiting for the N enjoyed thrash-hop, and the barista at my local coffee shop loved salted caramel. I’d had a couple fleeting relationships, but mostly… — Alexander Weinstein Copy Share
While I've always been critical about this peddling of spiritual materialism, it wasn't until I went to Nepal that I came face-to-face with my own spiritual materialism. The thing is, Kathmandu is noisy, and dusty, and crowded, and everywhere you go you see these same Western yoga teachers, hashish-smoking backpackers, and fair-trade shop owners, all seeking the stalls filled with… — Alexander Weinstein Copy Share
"Moksha" is really a satire of myself. I've always been interested in Eastern spirituality. I'm particularly interested in enlightenment and the spiritual pursuit to liberate ourselves (I'm a Buddhist at heart). During my teenage years, I imagined I'd end up going to India to become a yogi; study with the last living saints in a cave; give up all my… — Alexander Weinstein Copy Share
"Rocket Night" is my take on bullying culture. I think this is getting better, thanks to the anti-bullying work being done by my generation.… — Alexander Weinstein Copy Share Image
What is the emotion of an empty inbox? An unliked Post? An ignored dating app message? I think there's a great loneliness that much… — Alexander Weinstein Copy Share Image
I think the challenge for humans remains the same as it has always been: to learn the skills of kindness, compassion, and love. Without… — Alexander Weinstein Copy Share Image
I really admire the experimentalists who challenge traditional narrative - writers like Ishmael Reed, Michael Martone, Donald Barthelme, Tatyana Tolstaya, George Saunders, and many… — Alexander Weinstein Copy Share Image
In Nepal, I realized a certain part of my spiritual search had come to an end. I wasn't ever going to live in a… — Alexander Weinstein Copy Share Image
It's true, I do love the semi-epiphany. For example, in "Fall Line," the character's final decision is less epiphany than imbecility. He makes a… — Alexander Weinstein Copy Share Image
Wit and humor seem to always factor into this - there's a tongue-in-cheek tone you get when you take on a formalist story -… — Alexander Weinstein Copy Share Image
I'm a big fan of Chris Hedges and Joe Sacco's book Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt, where they visit what they call The… — Alexander Weinstein Copy Share Image
