Martin Scorsese: If you could alter one thing about yourself, what would it be?

The question

If you could alter one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Originally asked

Vanity Fair, to its interview subject, The Proust Questionnaire

Verbatim recurring item in Vanity Fair's Proust Questionnaire; two publisher-hosted respondent pages establish institutional recurrence.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Martin Scorsese

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

First of all, I’d like to stop complaining—I’m beginning to annoy myself. I would like to learn to read faster, however. Again, the rest I’ve learned to live with.

The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 22 February 2010 source ↗

Others on this question

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Carrie Fisher Actor and writer

My inability to have romantic relationships.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 1 April 2001 source ↗

Alice Waters Chef, restaurateur and food activist

My discomfort with being alone.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 28 July 2021 source ↗

Aung San Suu Kyi Leader of the National League for Democracy; Nobel Peace Prize laureate; State Counsellor of Myanmar, 2016–2021

Even if we do not achieve perfect peace on earth, because perfect peace is not of this earth, common endeavours to gain peace will unite individuals and nations in trust and friendship and help to make our human community safer and kinder.

Recorded Oslo City Hall, The Nobel Foundation, 16 June 2012 source ↗

Barack Obama 44th President of the United States, 2009–2017; United States Senator from Illinois 2005–2008

I deeply regret not having learned a musical instrument. And I regret not having focused more on Spanish when I was studying it in school. I would love to be able to speak Spanish fluently and play an instrument.

Recorded Barbara Walters, ABC News 20/20, broadcast 23 December 2011, 22 December 2011 source ↗

More from Martin Scorsese

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Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

Actually, I dislike dealing with schedules and logistics—mine and others’.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, March 2010 source ↗

Question What does happiness look like for you when life is going well? Identity & self

I think you can strive to attain it, but be realistic about the outcome. In the meantime, I find I might be experiencing it through flashes or brief moments in love and art, and at times just being alive.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 1 March 2010 source ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

Laziness, wasting time. I’d like to be able to make films faster.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, March 2010 source ↗

Question What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? Time & hindsight

When my friends and I were making Mean Streets, 1973.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, March 2010 source ↗

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