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Le Guin 2: Architectures of Happiness
22 Aug 2025
Episode 6.10 - Le Guin 2: Architectures of Happiness
Is this story really about that suffering child? Or is it more about how we wall its suffering out, then invite it back in?
We also discuss how social complicity, blissful ignorance, binary breakdowns, and the pee privileges at Waywords Studio.
Our Main Text:
Complete Resources: https://waywordsstudio.com/project/le-guin-omelas/
CHAPTERS
00:00 The Weight of Happiness
04:16 Opening Theme
04:58 The Fictions of Happiness
15:34 The Psychology of Complicity
26:28 The “Conditions of Omelas
34:59 …And Its Virtues
39:26 So What Is Left for Us?
43:56 Closing Credits
===
New to Literary Nomads? Check out episode 5.00 to find out what we’re all about: https://waywordsstudio.com/podcasts/waywords_podcast/an-introduction-and-irony/
Transcript: https://waywordsstudio.com/general/transcript/6-10-le-guin-part-2
Have a Question? Literary Nomads Mailbag: https://forms.gle/WKGp1YWrazNZ3TLt8
===
Literary Nomads is the primary program of Waywords Studio (https://waywordsstudio.com). The podcast posts new material each week, with thought-provoking examinations of literature around selected questions or themes and several smaller supplemental episodes in between the larger programs: history, writing, and contemporary applications of ideas.
Visit us for expanded resources for guests and the Waywords community, for other programs and writing, and for opportunities to support our goal to expand reading. Resources available can include full bibliographies of material referenced, full and partial texts, annotated editions, supplemental and expanded episodes, fictional explorations, teaching and learning resources, additional essays, and online courses.
Website: https://waywordsstudio.com
Newsletter: https://waywordsstudio.kit.com/
Instagram: @WaywordsStudio
Facebook: Waywords.Studio
YouTube: Waywords Studio
LinkedIn: Waywords-Studio
CREDITS:
Original music by Randon Myles (https://randonmyles.com/)
Chapter headings by Natalie Harrison and Sarah Skaleski
USING THIS WORK:
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. It is open to be used and adapted for all not-for-profit uses with proper attribution.
MLA CITATION:
Chisnell, Steve. “Le Guin Part 2: Architectures of Happiness,” Literary Nomads. Waywords Studio, 22 August 2025, https://waywordsstudio.com/project/le-guin-omelas/.
View all episodes
By Steve Chisnell
5
22 ratings
22 Aug 2025
Episode 6.10 - Le Guin 2: Architectures of Happiness
Is this story really about that suffering child? Or is it more about how we wall its suffering out, then invite it back in?
We also discuss how social complicity, blissful ignorance, binary breakdowns, and the pee privileges at Waywords Studio.
Our Main Text:
Complete Resources: https://waywordsstudio.com/project/le-guin-omelas/
CHAPTERS
00:00 The Weight of Happiness
04:16 Opening Theme
04:58 The Fictions of Happiness
15:34 The Psychology of Complicity
26:28 The “Conditions of Omelas
34:59 …And Its Virtues
39:26 So What Is Left for Us?
43:56 Closing Credits
===
New to Literary Nomads? Check out episode 5.00 to find out what we’re all about: https://waywordsstudio.com/podcasts/waywords_podcast/an-introduction-and-irony/
Transcript: https://waywordsstudio.com/general/transcript/6-10-le-guin-part-2
Have a Question? Literary Nomads Mailbag: https://forms.gle/WKGp1YWrazNZ3TLt8
===
Literary Nomads is the primary program of Waywords Studio (https://waywordsstudio.com). The podcast posts new material each week, with thought-provoking examinations of literature around selected questions or themes and several smaller supplemental episodes in between the larger programs: history, writing, and contemporary applications of ideas.
Visit us for expanded resources for guests and the Waywords community, for other programs and writing, and for opportunities to support our goal to expand reading. Resources available can include full bibliographies of material referenced, full and partial texts, annotated editions, supplemental and expanded episodes, fictional explorations, teaching and learning resources, additional essays, and online courses.
Website: https://waywordsstudio.com
Newsletter: https://waywordsstudio.kit.com/
Instagram: @WaywordsStudio
Facebook: Waywords.Studio
YouTube: Waywords Studio
LinkedIn: Waywords-Studio
CREDITS:
Original music by Randon Myles (https://randonmyles.com/)
Chapter headings by Natalie Harrison and Sarah Skaleski
USING THIS WORK:
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. It is open to be used and adapted for all not-for-profit uses with proper attribution.
MLA CITATION:
Chisnell, Steve. “Le Guin Part 2: Architectures of Happiness,” Literary Nomads. Waywords Studio, 22 August 2025, https://waywordsstudio.com/project/le-guin-omelas/.