Zack Polanski: If you could revise one chapter of your past, what would you change? — FLAPSS

The question

If you could revise one chapter of your past, what would you change?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

Repeated verbatim in The Guardian's long-running Saturday Q&A; two publisher-hosted examples establish recurrence.

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

ZP

Zack Polanski

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Nothing. Tony Benn, one of my favourite politicians, said, “I don’t care where you’ve been, I care where you’re going.”

The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 December 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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I would not leave my teenage children to follow an unworthy love. It lasted a month and scarred the family for ever.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 December 2024 source ↗

I would become fitter younger. Because I would have been hotter younger!

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 August 2026 source ↗

Russell Howard British comedian and presenter

I wouldn’t lose my virginity at an army camp and then roll over on to an ants’ nest.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 February 2020 source ↗

Belinda Carlisle American singer

I wouldn’t take back the drugs, but there are a few boyfriends that I’d edit out of my life.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 March 2023 source ↗

More from Zack Polanski

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Question Which book do you still mean to read, and why has it stayed on your list? Taste & recommendation

I’m going to confess I haven’t finished The Climate Book by Greta Thunberg.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 December 2025 source ↗

Question What one change would most improve the quality of your daily life? Daily life

Proportional representation.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 December 2025 source ↗

Question How would you describe what love feels like to you? Relationships

A dog bounding through the grass on a summer’s day chasing a squirrel.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 December 2025 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

A Reform government.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 December 2025 source ↗

Question Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them? Values & belief

Chlöe Swarbrick who is co-leader of the New Zealand Greens. She’s demonstrating the bold leadership that I look to do every single day.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 December 2025 source ↗

Question What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

I get trolled on a daily basis so it probably involved my teeth, but that was until I learned to love my teeth.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 December 2025 source ↗

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