DOUGLAS COUPLAND IS a Canadian writer and artist who came to the public’s attention in 1993 with the publication of his novel Generation X. It is nice for us at the Idler to get back in touch with him: we interviewed him in 1994 in London, when he predicted Twitter, saying: “The problem with the Internet is that you get the impression that there are all these wannabe Oscar Wildes out there just waiting to spew their bon mots into the ether.”

1. Are you happy? 

I have no idea. Not being coy. I just have no idea.

2. What are you reading? 

French textbooks. I’m living in Paris and trying to speak properly.

3. What was your worst job? 

I’ve never had a worst job. I always left a job the moment it became clear it could become ‘worst.’ Or when I realized there was no more learning curve left.

4. How many hours do you work each day? 

My goal in life has been to blur work and pleasure to the point where I can’t separate the two ….I don’t think I can separate work and non-work now. Like trying to return bread back into its constituent ingredients.

5. Town mouse or country mouse?

Hotel mouse.

6. Does love bring happiness or unhappiness?

Both.

7. Mp3 or vinyl? Real book or ebook? 

I’ve stopped listening to music for a while and i don’t know why. It’ll come back. Still don’t have an ebook. I think they’ve plateaued. If you don’t have one now, you’re unlikely to start.

8. What are your three greatest pleasures?

I don’t even know if I’m happy. I think I’m unqualified to answer this.

9. Do you believe in the nap?

Of course.

10. What advice do you have for young people?

Figure out what it is you enjoy doing and then do it. Nothing else will ever make you happy.

Douglas Coupland’s latest book, The Age of Earthquakes: A Guide to the Extreme Present, is available to buy through the Idler book shop.