Some upcoming events

Virtual and physical talks about Better to Have Gone

Hello, friends!

This isn’t really a post about a better world. Or it may be, depending on how you feel about book events, and talk about utopias and intentional living. As I warned in my first newsletter, I plan to be sending out the occasional missive about news and events related to my book, Better to Have Gone.

So here are some recent and upcoming events—most virtual, one in person. Please consider joining the virtual events!

The Idler: A Drink with Akash Kapur
Thursday 21st October, 6-7pm BST

The Idler is a magazine and school dedicated to fun, freedom and fulfilment—in other words, to “idling.” I’ll be joining them via Zoom to speak to their members, accompanied by philosophical insight from Dr Mark Vernon. The event is open to all, and costs £5 to non-members.

Ever dreamt of living in a utopian community? Akash Kapur grew up in the yogic community Auroville in India. His latest book tells of its travails and of its ideals. Come and find out why he returned to live there with his family. Akash will be in conversation with Idler magazine editor Tom Hodgkinson and your host will be Idler Academy director Victoria Hull. We’ll have philosophical insight from Dr Mark Vernon and the discussion will be followed by a live Q&A.

Oakley Center, Williams College
November 9th, 2021, 4:30pm EST
This is a closed event, restricted to Williams faculty and students.

Akash Kapur discusses idealism, intentional living, and the perils and opportunities of utopian thinking. To be followed with Q&A with students and faculty

Interintellect Supersalon: Love, Death, and the Quest for Utopia
Saturday November 13 at 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm EST
Interintellect is a new virtual meeting space for conversations about books, ideas and other topics. Open to all, tickets cost $25 and include a free copy of the book if you book at least a week ahead.

In this SuperSalon, writer Akash Kapur, author of Better to Have Gone: Love, Death, and the Quest for Utopia in Auroville, will join writers and Interintellect hosts Tanya Raj and Visakan Veerasamy to explore the pull of a perfect utopia: the pleasures and the losses, and the finding of eventual transcendence and acceptance, even in the face of death.

“Fate happens to us, but we choose our pathways between its broad avenues ~ Akash Kapur”

Jaipur List Fest Colorado: Damon Galgut in conversation with Akash Kapur
This one isn’t about my book. Instead, it’s about one of my favorite reads of the year, with one of my favorite authors (and friend) Damon Galgut.

Thrice Booker-shortlisted author Damon Galgut, author of The Promise, speaks about writing, method, and politics with Akash Kapur, author of Better to Have Gone

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Thank you, as always, for reading. Please join one of the events if you feel like—and do share these Substack missives with anyone who you think may be interested. I’ll soon be returning to the topic of a better world.