Theater of War on the Radio: Our Longing for Inconvenience

In this special live episode of 'The Brian Lehrer Show,' WNYC Studios and Theater of War collaborated to bring a powerful, radio-based performance of Hanif Abdur-Aqib's essay 'Our Longing for Inconvenience.' The piece, read by actors Adepero O'Doye and Jumaane Williams, explores the psychological and emotional cost of relentless digital convenience, arguing that intentional friction—like helping a friend move, using a physical VCR, or choosing a window seat on a plane—can restore presence, meaning, and connection in an over-automated world. The episode unfolds as a live conversation with listeners who share personal stories of resisting convenience: from walking without phones and growing food from seed, to avoiding dating apps and removing televisions from living rooms. These acts of 'inconvenience' are framed not as backward-looking nostalgia, but as conscious strategies to reclaim attention, authenticity, and human connection in a world designed for speed and ease. The discussion culminates in a poignant reflection on how even small disruptions—like a broken phone or a crying child on a flight—can shock us back into the shared reality of the world around us.