they would be unredable. emily: critics of the critics say, don't take him so seriously.lm: i do not take myself 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 ultimately. that is supposed to be something that brings you pleasure. emily: 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? malcolm: because i enjoy it. a "new yorker" story is the most demanding literary form. it is much harder to write a "new yorker" story than a book. i have been fascinated with the gm ignition switch controversy. though i am very late to the game here, but i don't want to write a book about it. i don't think anyone would read a book about it. but would it be the kernel of a great article? absolutely. emily: we have seen so many brand name journalists go off and start their own companies. vox, buzzfeed. why not do something like that? malcolm: because i would be terrible at it. i have to wake up t