Report on Interview with Umberto Eco

Umberto Eco, a famous thinker and writer, had a great conversation with Mukund Padmanabhan from The Hindu. Unfortunately, we couldn't print the whole conversation due to space. But I'll give you the main ideas from the talk.

Eco is known for doing a lot of different things, but he feels like he's always working on the same ideas. He's interested in things like doing the right thing, philosophy, and peace. Even his children's books have these ideas.

Eco talked about how he uses the little spaces of time in his day. For example, while waiting for an elevator, he gets work done. He says he's always working, even in the small moments.

When it comes to his writing style, Eco has a unique approach. He tells a story in his academic work, which makes it more interesting. He figured this out when he was young, and it's why his essays have a storytelling aspect. He didn't start writing novels until he was 50, but they satisfy his love for storytelling.

Eco is a well-known scholar, but most people think of him as a novelist. He sees himself as part of the academic world, even though he knows his novels reach more people. He's happy with that because not many folks want to read about complex ideas.

"The Name of the Rose" is one of Eco's most famous books. It's a mystery story, but it also talks about deep stuff like philosophy and history. Eco didn't expect it to become such a big hit. He thinks it's a mystery why it became so popular, even though it's a complex book.

Eco shared something interesting about readers. He said people like easy stuff sometimes, like watching TV. But they also like more challenging things. He thinks there's room for both.

In short, Eco's interview showed us that he's a person with many talents and interests. His ideas about doing the right thing and peace are important. He knows how to mix complex ideas with good storytelling, and that's made him famous. His book "The Name of the Rose" was a surprise hit, and he believes readers like a mix of easy and challenging things.

Interviews play a pivotal role in the realm of journalism. They offer a detailed portrayal of the individual being profiled, allowing others to better grasp their accomplishments and personal journey. Functioning as an effective communication tool, interviews offer a deeper insight into the subject's perspective and experiences. They facilitate a rich exchange of ideas, opinions, and stories that contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the individual in question. Essentially, interviews help transform abstract narratives into more relatable and tangible human stories, making them an integral part of media and communication.

Umberto Eco enjoys being interviewed. Firstly, Eco openly discusses his academic and writing processes, interests, and experiences during the interview. His willingness to share his work and his views and experiences indicates a certain level of comfort and acceptance of the interview format. Secondly, Eco's conversational and anecdotal style during the interview suggests that he might see the process as an opportunity for storytelling, discussion, and sharing ideas. Finally, He uses the interview as an opportunity to clarify his identity as an academic first and foremost, rather than primarily a novelist. This shows that he values the platform an interview gives him to communicate his self-perception to a wider audience.