some people have said, unoriginal, obvious, the story comes first, the science plays a supporting roleovergeneralize, oversimplified to the point you are wrong. how do you respond to that. >> i don't really think of them as criticism. the story is first and the science is secondary, because i want the stories to come first. story is an incredibly powerful way to communicate ideas. are my books simplified? of course. they are supposed to be. i spend a huge amount of time simplifying. so, when someone says, as a way of criticism, you're simplifying, i put my head in my hands and say, that is my intention. if i didn't simplify them, people wouldn't read them. >> critics say, don't take him so seriously. >> i would say exactly right. chill out. ideas ought to be a source of joy. to think about something in a new way, even if you find it unconvincing. that is supposed to be something that brings you pleasure. >> you can write whatever you want at the new yorker. how do you choose topics? why do you write essays when you could just write books? >> a new yorker story is the most demanding lit