Adichie reflected on the backlash she has received for speaking publicly about her beliefs — including the equal rights of gay people in Africa and her conviction that men and women are completely equal. She has been told to shut up about these topics. But rather than retreating, she explained why she refuses to stay silent. She doesn't speak to provoke; she speaks because authenticity is not optional when life is finite. She then added with characteristic humor: 'The only acceptable way of wasting your time on earth is online shopping.'