Umberto Eco

Umberto Eco at B&N Union Square to discuss his recently published novel The Prague Cemetery with Antonio Monda.



Eco on conspiracies: "I'm not fascinated by plots. I'm fascinated by the stupidity of those who believe in plots."



He also made a distinction between love and hate. To paraphrase: Love is selective. 'I love you. I want you to love me. I don't want you to love anyone else.' But hate is general. It is social. It brings people together.

I would comment more on their conversation but both speakers' English was difficult to understand from a distance and Eco often forgot to speak into his microphone. It looked like they were having a very erudite discussion though.