Silence Thayer:  What has drawn you to study and write about such horrific subject matter found in your books, Car Crash Culture, Meat Is Murder, Hollywood Hex, and Offensive Films?

Mikita Brottman:  I always find myself drawn to the apocalyptic and pathological; I don't really find it horrifying. Anything that repels people fascinates me. These are the extremes of the human condition, and to understand those extremes helps us to make sense out of what it means to be human, and to live in a human body. I've always felt compelled to turn over stones and see what's underneath. Though I hate worms.

ST:  What inspired you to collect the essays found in Car Crash Culture ?

MB:  Two things: first, having a very serious car accident myself, which I found a thrilling and life-affirming experience. Secondly, moving to the U.S. from England and seeing how obsessed people here are about cars, and how it's almost impossible to function here without one.