Episode 2322: Andrew Lipstein on how to reinvent American masculinity

According to Andrew Lipstein, here are 3 questions at the heart of his acclaimed new novel Something Rotten: a) What do we want masculinity to look like? b) What constitutes truth? c) How to present death in our culture?

Yeah, seriously big questions for anb ambitious novel. Set in Copenhagen, Something Rotten follows a canceled NPR host wrestling with masculinity in liberal society. Lipstein, a Brooklyn-based writer with three young boys (all under 3) and a Danish wife, offers his own insights into the cultural contrast between America and Denmark, on everything from social welfare to masculine ambition.

In contrast with Lipstein’s three points, here are the 5 KEEN ON takeaways from our conversation:

1. On Writing Fiction vs. Nonfiction

• Lipstein finds writing nonfiction significantly more challenging and less enjoyable than fiction

• He estimates it takes him 2-3 times longer to write a single paragraph of nonfiction compared to fiction

• Despite the challenges, he's currently working on a nonfiction book about an undisclosed subject

2. The Danish Social Model's Strengths and Limitations

• Denmark's welfare system and high taxation create a more egalitarian society where basic needs (healthcare, education) are met

• However, Danish society has a stronger conformist element compared to the US

• While the Danish model works well there, Lipstein believes it wouldn't translate directly to America due to the US's greater diversity and heterodox nature

3. Views on Contemporary Masculinity

• The book explores tensions around masculinity in liberal society

• Lipstein observes that progressive circles lack a coherent, positive vision of masculinity

• He argues that while there are things individuals should apologize for, being male isn't one of them

• He notes that conservative visions of masculinity, while problematic, offer clarity that liberal versions often lack

4. The Economics of Being an Author

• Writing novels alone typically doesn't provide enough income to support a family in expensive places like Brooklyn

• Lipstein appreciates not feeling pressure to write bestsellers since he doesn't rely solely on writing income

• He believes creating art primarily for money often leads to poor results

5. Different Conceptions of Truth

• The novel explores contrasting views of truth: American (verifiable facts) versus a more values-based approach

• Lipstein suggests liberals often focus more on being "on the right side of history" than taking meaningful action

• Something Rotten examines how death's presence or absence affects people's relationship with truth and values

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Andrew Lipstein is the author of Last Resort (2022), The Vegan (2023), and Something Rotten (2025). He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and three sons.

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Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.