Walter Isaacson Announces Controversial Subject of His Next Book
NEW YORK CITY, NY – In a move that has left literary critics and fans alike scratching their heads, renowned biographer Walter Isaacson, known for his deep dives into the lives of geniuses like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk and Leonardo da Vinci, has announced the subject of his next book: the common man.
At a press conference held at The New York Public Library, Isaacson unveiled his ambitious plan. "After years of chronicling the lives of extraordinary individuals, I've decided to take on my most challenging subject yet: the utterly average American male," he declared.
The biographer is currently in the casting phase, searching for the perfect embodiment of normalcy. "We're looking for someone who embodies the spirit of the everyday. Someone who thinks a trip to the local grocery store is an adventure and whose idea of a wild night is binge-watching reruns of 'The Office'," Isaacson explained.
The project, slated to span three years, will see Isaacson immersing himself in the life of this "normal" individual, attempting to re-learn what regular people are truly like. "I've spent so much time with innovators and pioneers that I've forgotten how the other half lives. This is my journey back to reality," he mused.
Insiders close to Isaacson have whispered that this project might be more personal than it appears. After years of mingling with the intellectual elite and attending swanky soirées, some suggest that Isaacson feels he's lost touch with his roots and possibly reality itself. "Walter mentioned feeling out of place at a local diner recently," shared a close friend. "He's been in the rarified air of genius for so long that he's forgotten the scent of common mortals. This book is as much about him re-acclimating to the world of the ordinary as it is about his subject. He's essentially looking to 'slum it' to rediscover the world he left behind."
While Isaacson initially considered including female candidates in his search, this idea was quickly shelved. A source close to the author revealed, "Walter felt that documenting the life of an average American woman might be pushing the boundaries of normalcy a bit too far. After all, we have to keep some semblance of familiarity."
Whispers within literary circles suggest that a recent professional setback might have spurred Isaacson's unexpected shift in focus. Insiders reveal that when the opportunity arose to pen the biography of former President Barack Obama, Isaacson was initially on the shortlist. However, a casual conversation about the TV show "The Wire" changed everything. Eager to impress, Isaacson admitted to binge-watching the series in preparation for their meeting, but he confoundedly confessed to Obama that he couldn't quite grasp what the show was about.
The revelation was telling. Obama, a known fan of "The Wire," reportedly felt that if Isaacson couldn't connect with the raw, multifaceted portrayal of urban life in the series, he might be "too out of touch with the experiences of the average person" to capture any essence of his own journey. Isaacson, reflecting on the incident, realized that while he had mastered the art of chronicling the lives of luminaries and the 1%, he might be missing the broader tapestry of everyday life that shapes leaders like Obama who manage to live broadly within both realities.
In a twist of high-profile intrigue, tech moguls Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are reportedly gearing up for legal battles, having both been under the impression that they would be the subjects of Isaacson's next magnum opus. Sources close to the billionaires say that preliminary discussions and arrangements had been made, leading them to believe they were next in line for the Isaacson treatment.
An insider from the Gates camp shared, "Bill had already cleared his schedule for extensive interviews. He even started jotting down anecdotes from his childhood. The announcement was a shock." Meanwhile, a confidant from the Zuckerberg circle revealed, "Mark was genuinely excited about the prospect. He saw it as an opportunity to showcase the human side of the tech titan. To find out he was passed over for an 'average Joe'? It's a tough pill to swallow."
Both tech leaders are now said to be consulting with their legal teams, exploring potential breach of promise claims. As the drama unfolds, the literary world watches with bated breath, wondering if Isaacson's dive into the ordinary might end up being his most extraordinary venture yet.
"If anyone can make the act of mowing the lawn sound as riveting as painting the Mona Lisa, it's Isaacson."
The literary world waits with bated breath to see how Isaacson will transform the mundane into the monumental. As one critic aptly put it, "If anyone can make the act of mowing the lawn sound as riveting as painting the Mona Lisa, it's Isaacson."
