TED: Wisdom from great writers on every year of life | Joshua Prager

The speaker reflects on turning 44, inspired by Norman Mailer's book, and explores the shared patterns of life. They discuss the idea of documenting life stages in a narrative, drawing insights from literature and personal experiences. The speaker emphasizes the role of art and literature in preserving memories and concludes with a hopeful outlook on the future.

What inspired the speaker to believe that 44 would be a significant year?

• A horoscope reading

• A conversation with a friend

• A book by Norman Mailer

• A personal prediction

What idea did the speaker have six years ago regarding life and literature?

• To start a book club

• To become a professional writer

• To compile a narrative of life through literature

• To write a novel about their life

At what age did the speaker begin their project of compiling life stages?

• 50

• 37

• 30

• 44

What does the speaker note about the insights gained from their list?

• They are universally applicable

• They are relative and vary by individual

• They are only applicable to older generations

• They are irrelevant to modern life

How does the speaker describe the process of compiling their list?

• As an obsession

• As a quick task

• As a group project

• As a casual hobby

What role does the speaker believe art and literature play in our lives?

• They are purely for entertainment

• They help us remember our experiences

• They are outdated forms of expression

• They are only for intellectuals

What realization does the speaker's grandfather have about life and death?

• That life is unpredictable

• That death is inevitable

• That life is eternal

• That death can be avoided