I keep a quote and use it for a frequent reference as needed. I met Elie Wiesel back in 1980 before he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986. In his acceptance speech, he said:
"I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must – at that moment – become the center of the universe."
Yes, true for gender and we could add other social identifiers such as age, ability, ethnicity and socio-economic status to Wiesel's list, not mine. He also said to a small group of us one evening, "If you want to know what evil is, put a face on it."
Amen!!!!! Any tips on how not to be tribal when you are literally being hunted? I know my attitude is part of the problem, but what does a solution look like no one ever tells meeeeeeee
Katherine. Wasn't expecting to read that. Very funny. I'm laughing because I think I may have had the same problem. Thank God I moved. I thought rural was where I wanted to be. Come to find out. I'm back in the city where people are too busy to worry about people they've never met. I totally recommend this. All depends. Everything is regional and sometimes even town by town. Wish you the best. American targeting other Americans is ugly. I thought we were better than that.
And having to cook a meal or do some house chores as a housewife, play with your children all day, while your husband worked a full day at shitty jobs, but did so to provide for his family...OMG...the persecution u had to endure
Yes..the millions of women dying bloody torturous deaths in wars making this country free..must have been hell for u all....not to mention building dams and infrastructure that claimed thousands of Female lives
I think of the countless women raped and murdered at the hands of lovers and husbands. Gang raped in buses in India as they make their way home from work and school. Dying from childbirth. Raped and murdered by invading armies. And forced to bear the babies of the invaders. Oh yeah- snd dying from illegal abortions when they try to stop the births.
Why go back in history? Look at the subjugation of women throughout the world today. Look at actual laws passed in Iran that allows for the marriage of 9 year old girls. Tell me again about how cushy life is for women.
You guys start wars and then expect to be made heroes for participating, while women are being left widows with babies to raise and caring for those crippled for life by war.
To me neutrality does not mean being silent. It means being open to learning - acceptance of new perspectives and ideas - and listening to others - then expressing one’s point of view and discussing the issues at hand.
Yes and, if following a civil, respectful discussion and conversation, there is a serious division of views, one may have to decide which side you will take or possibly be taken over by the other side. Looking at lessons learned from history one can see what happened when there was disagreement between authoritarian and democratic principles of leadership and behaviors. We have an example of our treatment of Native American and African-American people here in the U.S. and then there is Germany of the 1930's. James Russell Lowell wrote a poem in 1845 in protest against the Mexican-American War, "The Present Crisis" Might be worth a read.
When we lived in London, we were referred to by a friend from BBC, Henry Kelly, as “the colonists.” He was a “regular” at our favorite pub, The Old Bull and Bush. He lived across the street.
And what new ideas do you think Harris has to offer. She has not had an individual new thought in, maybe never. I do NOT want to heaar ANY perspectives coming from any demoncrat. I would like to listen to others that have something valid to say. NOT MORE LIES.
I think you may not like it here among deep thinkers when you choose to rule out the thoughts of many because of a label you have given them. Just a thought . . . Perhaps . . .?
It wouldn't hurt to just listen. (I mean in a one on one discourse situation) Maybe at the end you could say - well I can see where you're coming from / maybe you have a point / you might be right there / interesting to hear your perspective etc.
Maybe you could ask a question carefully crafted that gives them pause, makes them stop and think about what it is they believe.
Maybe you get to plant a seed that later bears fruit. Maybe you could get practice at doing such a thing, and build real skill at it. Who knows.
But if you're as bolshy as they are and refuse to engage, you're as bad as they are, and we're all divided and entrenched, stalemated.
I have truly appreciated those who held opposing views to me and yet had the good grace to give me a patient hearing. I've promised myself to take a leaf from their book going forward and honour the humanity of another by giving them a good hearing without fearing the outcome.
Supporting them and their rights for freedom of choice for starters, making sure that my granddaughters know about equal pay, a family leave act, and having the choice of any profession or job that appeals to them, and more. Two adult daughters know about and care about those things. You might be interested in a letter I wrote to 11 of my grandchildren over the age of 18, 4 of whom are young women. And then there are friends who are women who know me and what I believe.
That would be correct although most of my friends are already in that camp. We have a couple of family members outside the camp, not on the same page and that makes for some difficult conversations.
They and others who know me, know my history as a social activist from the 60’s when we were working to integrate housing, education and employment and against the war in Viet Nam. It was not a popular position to occupy in many communities. I wrote about an experience in an earlier post, “MLK and Me” that changed the trajectory of my life and work. As long as I have a voice and a vote, you can count on which side I will take a stand, what I am for and what I am against. Glad not to be a “huge” disappointment, and would rather not be a little one either. All about the choices we have and that we make.
I'm a former Coach of 20 years who worked nearly exclusively with women. In prior days I was a business coach and then an NLP Health Practitioner. At 2 weeks away from turning 82, I am now a Mentor to women who want to empower themselves around aging and not become invisible. And I allowed myself to write imperfectly and show up here. I've learned a lot about aging and resiliency from my living this long and I want to share the knowledge I have.
The presupposition that makes this quote intelligible is "If we speak, change will come". Much of my experience (especially interpersonal experience) has led me to believe the opposite, and this contentious mentality makes it hard for me to write or publish at all, even as I fight it. Indeed, I'd have a lot more to say if I really believed that my words would be heard and, having been heard, do at least a little good.
How do you suggest a person may learn to believe in the power of words again?
Great question, Rayanne. Words have power to lift up or put down, they have the power of describing details, they are the tools of expressing thoughts, feelings, behaviors and conditions that we experience. There are many examples of words that project energy, or even the lack of it. (See my last post, "Getting Back on Track" as a sample.) Right now, your question reminds me of these words "See Something, Say Something" and while that was a national campaign having to do with citizen participation in preventing harm, those words can be applied in other ways too. And here are Mary Oliver's words that I found inspiring: "Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it." We have a choice, and mine today, is show up, stand up, speak up. And, there are times to silence our words, and simply listen.
ELIE would know what happens when people remain silent. He asked why didn't Radio Free Europe tell Hungary that in 1945 Germans were still rounding up Jews.
This quote is in agreement with Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn who said it well, "Live not by lies." When we timidly remain silent or give assent to destructive ideas and programs in our culture, those philosophies will take root and guide our culture.
This quote Gary is profound. It’s very much relatable and giving the presence world I find myself in, if the silence tongues began to speak I bet you, the elite or those who benefit from the corruption will want to shut that tongue off.
The recently concluded protest, although meant to be peaceful ended up taking lives with it.
It’s crazy how people throw away their lives and those who are benefiting from this chaos are remorseful, I often ask myself are they truly human or demons wearing human skins.
So what you’re saying is that we have regressed into old patterns of tribalistic vitriol? I mean, it’s very clear to me what the problem is. Our base instincts are being exploited on every possible level. Divide and conquer, the unconscious ones in the background watch the football passed to and fro. It’s by design. I’m leaving the game so I can see it all more clearly from a vantage point of Truth. Sell everything you have except that which sustains you, NEEDS, not material wants. Exit the consumerism machine which feeds Lord Ecónomos, mammon, greed. All servants of corpofascism, the ideology of the neoliberal elites that are extracting all possible value and creativity for their debased wants which never end. The key is Consciousness. Wake up or sleep forever.
Bingo! I remember when George W Bush told the public how best to help the country: “Buy” was his advice! That helps the big corporations, which are mostly doing very well, thank you very much!
As for the rest of us…our power is increasingly growing weaker, as are our financial portfolios. I’m in my 70’s so I can somewhat look at this philosophically. I’ve been lucky—I saw great natural wonders at a time when these areas were healthy. I traveled when traveling was cheap, and less dangerous. I enjoyed my youth before climate change ruined the days and at times the seasons. I’m not very optimistic about the future; but my future is much shorter; gives me less cause for concern, although I lament the loss of pleasant weather which many of us already face nearly every day.
Promoting “buying” is good for no one. People become resentful and unhappy because they can’t afford the latest “car, phone, ipad, sneakers, home reno,” you name it. A lot of “stuff” is not needed and not necessary. Plus consumerism is hard on the planet.
Actually, "promoting 'buying'" is a good thing for those who are actually working to produce goods that people want to buy. I have no use for people who are "unhappy because they can't afford the latest..." If they really want those things they can work and save and buy them, or maybe not. But the green-eyed monster isn't a healthy thing. And who gets to decide what's "not needed and not necessary?" I think you'd take umbrage if I were able to tell you what those things would be. What would be really fantastic is if people would quit whining about what they don't have and be grateful for what they do.
I call the enemy identity groups and the separatists that promote them. We’re all equal humans - but unique in some ways as well. We all should be able to coexist and grow one society - not limited to one gender, religion, ethnicity, etc. It’s not hard.
From what you say, Jacob, is that you are just bowing out of the discourse, I disagree. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn said it well, "Live not by lies." If we bow out and passively allow the likes to lead our culture, they will take root and become the new culture. That is the way Marxism dominates a people.
It's a wonder that anyone is brave enough to write anything, given comments sections. People ARE tribal, often nasty, and instead of commenting on the material, they comment...on each other's comments, "bashing their opponents heads against the wall." Shut off comments, and write. Ok, that's my comment.
I disagree. If an article inspires commentary, that's a good thing, as evidenced by the fact that you... Posted a comment. I don't bother with sites that have pay-walled comments; I find that the truly interesting articles are the ones that produce commentary, either positive or negative. And there are a lot of smart people "on both sides" who can contribute to fascinating dialogue.
The irony of my comment is not lost on me. My point is, I wonder if writers self-edit based on the anticipation of negative comments from the usual parties. I know I self-edit comments on certain forums to keep from being subject to a barrage of negativity on certain topics from the tribal masses. So sometimes, an article without commentary might be refreshing, both for the writer, and for the readers.
For some reason this reminded me of an actual really good line from a U2 song (“Peace on Earth” - 20 years or so since some standout u2 lyrics feels about right): “they say that what you mock / will surely overtake you / and you become a monster / so the monster will not break you.”
Was that song on the album that was forced onto everyone’s iPhones without permission back in like 2017? Amazing reference!!!!!! Incredible, masterful shade my dude!!!! 🫶🏻
The whole thing is kind of unfortunate. I actually liked their album no line on the horizon from the mid 2000s more than anything they’ve done since the early 90s. It was much more experimental and interesting. But then they just went with production value and the ego of trying to stay more relevant and popular and totally lost it for me.
I wasn't thrilled when you started by defending Lena Dunham's world view, which in short is "I know what's better for Black people than Black people". I was less thrilled when you wallowed in self-disapprobation for missing deadlines, and then conveyed it as a charming defect in your character.
But where you really lost me was when you mentioned some guy named Sam "musing, in a post-assassination-attempt love letter to America, that 'it would have been very chic of Donald Trump to have died'.”
Seriously Dude: You either have the balls to wish Trump dead, or you don't. Don't leave it to somebody else.
Thanks for your comment, it saved me from posting something similar; I'm a slow typist. And there was this gem: "But it’s only on Substack where you’ll find him slip into a turbulent daydream about “ante-Semites” jumping off a bridge into the Thames in the midst of a report from a mass protest." I don't know if "ante" is a typo or intentional, or if Kriss is Jewish, but it makes for a muddled statement by a muddled author. BTW, I copied and pasted from McKenzie's post, so it's not a typo from me.
I was curious about the "ante-Semite" comment by "Sam", and figured it was an attempt at cleverness that was literally nothing more than that. It says worlds to me that Hamish McKenzie would cite "Sam" for cleverness, and then offer that example. Yikes.
That caused me to check Hamish's bio because I was curious why Substack would give prominence to such Juvenalia, and I discovered in Hamish's bio that he is the "Co-founder of Substack, and Chief Writing Officer". I cannot even begin to tell you how depressing that is, given my recent discovery - and esteem - for Substack.
I don't want to know if that's true, and I refuse to investigate this crap any further, for now. That info will no doubt impose itself on me in the near future, and I'm OK with that.
I think it's a forest/trees kind of thing. It appears that McKenzie is so entranced by Kriss' "cleverness" he doesn't actually perceive what was written. I'm probably in wishful thinking mode on this as I've found him to be pretty neutral in the past: he may just feel the same way. I found Substack because Glenn Greenwald was on it, which led me to Ted Gioia (who, in my opinion, is "the most interesting man in the world." Greenwald is long-gone now, but Gioia is still providing me with loads of interesting, widely-varied insight.
Have you ever read Robert A. Heinlein's work? He had an acronym which he used throughout his career: TANSTAAFL. It would be a good thing for you to look it up and understand it. I won't be holding my breath.
That’s because we have body parts that are part of the current political discourse! It wasn’t written FOR us we were supposed to show it to our husbands/fathers/owners!
You know the biggest problem I have with substack is how self-referential so many of the posts are - At least the ones that are recommended to me.
It's like my time on Steam or Hive - trying to find something that has nothing to do with Steam or Hive or makes no mention of Steam or Hive was nearly impossible, especially if the goal was to engage in conversation.
Substack content can largely be encompassed by a Venn diagram consisting of two broad subject matters - substack and politics. The latter is, perhaps, unavoidable - but the former seems to be either the indicator of a nascent medium or a dying medium - or both. I'm hoping the former but time will tell.
Try Ted Gioia's "The Honest Broker." Arts (primarily music), culture, with a healthy dose of analysis of companies who've lost their way. Never associated with politics unless someone in the comments section tries to make it so.
I am a recent paid subscriber to The Bulwark and The FreePress, which are hosted through Substack. I used to follow Matt Talabi, as well, after being impressed by four of five of his books. Other than those, I haven’t yet explored many other Substack affiliated offerings. However, I must have signed up for emails from Substack, or maybe it comes with the territory.
In any case, “A Less Sterile Derangement” showed up in my inbox today, and for some reason it caught my attention. There is a lot competing for that faculty these days. But, in the event, I decided to glance at it anyway and was immediately blown away by how well it was written, so I kept reading. This essay was a piece of fresh air on so many levels. Very interesting, that piece.
I am retired and am on dialysis, so I find myself with hours of dead time to kill every day. With nothing better to do, I have been using (or wasting) this time exploring the internet on my Android. In the sometimes useful category, I discovered news apps and podcasts, and they are now supplementing my longtime daily diet of Kindle and Audible nonfiction books, the NYT, WaPo, CNN, PBS, and, more recently, The Bulwark.
I am now more well informed than is good for me. Aren’t we all? Even with all the dialysis free time, my plate has become pretty full lately; however, I guess I am going to have to make room on it for more of what Substack has to offer, if said article is any example of the type of content I am missing.
I keep a quote and use it for a frequent reference as needed. I met Elie Wiesel back in 1980 before he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986. In his acceptance speech, he said:
"I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must – at that moment – become the center of the universe."
I resonate with your post, and I would add "gender" to your list of persecuted segments of society. As an Elderwoman of 81, I know how that feels.
Yes, true for gender and we could add other social identifiers such as age, ability, ethnicity and socio-economic status to Wiesel's list, not mine. He also said to a small group of us one evening, "If you want to know what evil is, put a face on it."
Amen!!!!! Any tips on how not to be tribal when you are literally being hunted? I know my attitude is part of the problem, but what does a solution look like no one ever tells meeeeeeee
Katherine. Wasn't expecting to read that. Very funny. I'm laughing because I think I may have had the same problem. Thank God I moved. I thought rural was where I wanted to be. Come to find out. I'm back in the city where people are too busy to worry about people they've never met. I totally recommend this. All depends. Everything is regional and sometimes even town by town. Wish you the best. American targeting other Americans is ugly. I thought we were better than that.
And age as well could be added here. I feel it all too well.
And having to cook a meal or do some house chores as a housewife, play with your children all day, while your husband worked a full day at shitty jobs, but did so to provide for his family...OMG...the persecution u had to endure
I also forgot all the female Police officers murdered and wounded over the centuries
Yes..the millions of women dying bloody torturous deaths in wars making this country free..must have been hell for u all....not to mention building dams and infrastructure that claimed thousands of Female lives
I think of the countless women raped and murdered at the hands of lovers and husbands. Gang raped in buses in India as they make their way home from work and school. Dying from childbirth. Raped and murdered by invading armies. And forced to bear the babies of the invaders. Oh yeah- snd dying from illegal abortions when they try to stop the births.
Why go back in history? Look at the subjugation of women throughout the world today. Look at actual laws passed in Iran that allows for the marriage of 9 year old girls. Tell me again about how cushy life is for women.
You guys start wars and then expect to be made heroes for participating, while women are being left widows with babies to raise and caring for those crippled for life by war.
To me neutrality does not mean being silent. It means being open to learning - acceptance of new perspectives and ideas - and listening to others - then expressing one’s point of view and discussing the issues at hand.
Yes and, if following a civil, respectful discussion and conversation, there is a serious division of views, one may have to decide which side you will take or possibly be taken over by the other side. Looking at lessons learned from history one can see what happened when there was disagreement between authoritarian and democratic principles of leadership and behaviors. We have an example of our treatment of Native American and African-American people here in the U.S. and then there is Germany of the 1930's. James Russell Lowell wrote a poem in 1845 in protest against the Mexican-American War, "The Present Crisis" Might be worth a read.
The US is so Colonial English but lacks a parliamentary govt.
When we lived in London, we were referred to by a friend from BBC, Henry Kelly, as “the colonists.” He was a “regular” at our favorite pub, The Old Bull and Bush. He lived across the street.
And what new ideas do you think Harris has to offer. She has not had an individual new thought in, maybe never. I do NOT want to heaar ANY perspectives coming from any demoncrat. I would like to listen to others that have something valid to say. NOT MORE LIES.
I think you may not like it here among deep thinkers when you choose to rule out the thoughts of many because of a label you have given them. Just a thought . . . Perhaps . . .?
“When you tear out a man’s tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you’re only telling the world that you fear what he might say.”
Go away all ye with contra ideas and opinions. Be gone!
Thanks for the laugh. Your "deep thinkers" comment reminded me of Jack Handy's "Deep Thoughts" from SNL when it was truly a funny show.
It wouldn't hurt to just listen. (I mean in a one on one discourse situation) Maybe at the end you could say - well I can see where you're coming from / maybe you have a point / you might be right there / interesting to hear your perspective etc.
Maybe you could ask a question carefully crafted that gives them pause, makes them stop and think about what it is they believe.
Maybe you get to plant a seed that later bears fruit. Maybe you could get practice at doing such a thing, and build real skill at it. Who knows.
But if you're as bolshy as they are and refuse to engage, you're as bad as they are, and we're all divided and entrenched, stalemated.
I have truly appreciated those who held opposing views to me and yet had the good grace to give me a patient hearing. I've promised myself to take a leaf from their book going forward and honour the humanity of another by giving them a good hearing without fearing the outcome.
???!
I WILL NEVER BE SILENT YOU ARE WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!
If one stays open to accept the ideas of others won’t that do these two things:
1. Justify the reasons of one’s oppression, and
2. Change the zeal of change in the heart of the listener.
?
Cool! What are you doing to help the women in your life?
Supporting them and their rights for freedom of choice for starters, making sure that my granddaughters know about equal pay, a family leave act, and having the choice of any profession or job that appeals to them, and more. Two adult daughters know about and care about those things. You might be interested in a letter I wrote to 11 of my grandchildren over the age of 18, 4 of whom are young women. And then there are friends who are women who know me and what I believe.
https://garygruber.substack.com/p/letter-to-11-of-14-grandchildren
The myth of not having "equal pay" or "equal rights" in American culture is a myth. We have moved far beyond that issue.
Here are the myths and one can either believe they exist or that they don’t. And the U.S. is included.
https://www.concern.net/news/gender-pay-gap-myths-facts-progress
And you know this how?
So you are voting for Kamala and asking your friends to do the same, right?
That would be correct although most of my friends are already in that camp. We have a couple of family members outside the camp, not on the same page and that makes for some difficult conversations.
Hopefully not “tribal” ones!!!! Thank you for not being a huge disappointment! I’m sure your daughters and grandkids are proud!
They and others who know me, know my history as a social activist from the 60’s when we were working to integrate housing, education and employment and against the war in Viet Nam. It was not a popular position to occupy in many communities. I wrote about an experience in an earlier post, “MLK and Me” that changed the trajectory of my life and work. As long as I have a voice and a vote, you can count on which side I will take a stand, what I am for and what I am against. Glad not to be a “huge” disappointment, and would rather not be a little one either. All about the choices we have and that we make.
I am sorry to hear that. I respect your freedom to make a rational choice.
I'm a former Coach of 20 years who worked nearly exclusively with women. In prior days I was a business coach and then an NLP Health Practitioner. At 2 weeks away from turning 82, I am now a Mentor to women who want to empower themselves around aging and not become invisible. And I allowed myself to write imperfectly and show up here. I've learned a lot about aging and resiliency from my living this long and I want to share the knowledge I have.
Hmmm... I wonder what Elie Wiesel would have to say about the genocide in Gaza then?
The presupposition that makes this quote intelligible is "If we speak, change will come". Much of my experience (especially interpersonal experience) has led me to believe the opposite, and this contentious mentality makes it hard for me to write or publish at all, even as I fight it. Indeed, I'd have a lot more to say if I really believed that my words would be heard and, having been heard, do at least a little good.
How do you suggest a person may learn to believe in the power of words again?
Great question, Rayanne. Words have power to lift up or put down, they have the power of describing details, they are the tools of expressing thoughts, feelings, behaviors and conditions that we experience. There are many examples of words that project energy, or even the lack of it. (See my last post, "Getting Back on Track" as a sample.) Right now, your question reminds me of these words "See Something, Say Something" and while that was a national campaign having to do with citizen participation in preventing harm, those words can be applied in other ways too. And here are Mary Oliver's words that I found inspiring: "Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it." We have a choice, and mine today, is show up, stand up, speak up. And, there are times to silence our words, and simply listen.
ELIE would know what happens when people remain silent. He asked why didn't Radio Free Europe tell Hungary that in 1945 Germans were still rounding up Jews.
Now that's a dope quote
That's a dope quote
This quote is in agreement with Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn who said it well, "Live not by lies." When we timidly remain silent or give assent to destructive ideas and programs in our culture, those philosophies will take root and guide our culture.
This quote Gary is profound. It’s very much relatable and giving the presence world I find myself in, if the silence tongues began to speak I bet you, the elite or those who benefit from the corruption will want to shut that tongue off.
The recently concluded protest, although meant to be peaceful ended up taking lives with it.
It’s crazy how people throw away their lives and those who are benefiting from this chaos are remorseful, I often ask myself are they truly human or demons wearing human skins.
What a profound quote.
So what you’re saying is that we have regressed into old patterns of tribalistic vitriol? I mean, it’s very clear to me what the problem is. Our base instincts are being exploited on every possible level. Divide and conquer, the unconscious ones in the background watch the football passed to and fro. It’s by design. I’m leaving the game so I can see it all more clearly from a vantage point of Truth. Sell everything you have except that which sustains you, NEEDS, not material wants. Exit the consumerism machine which feeds Lord Ecónomos, mammon, greed. All servants of corpofascism, the ideology of the neoliberal elites that are extracting all possible value and creativity for their debased wants which never end. The key is Consciousness. Wake up or sleep forever.
Bingo! I remember when George W Bush told the public how best to help the country: “Buy” was his advice! That helps the big corporations, which are mostly doing very well, thank you very much!
As for the rest of us…our power is increasingly growing weaker, as are our financial portfolios. I’m in my 70’s so I can somewhat look at this philosophically. I’ve been lucky—I saw great natural wonders at a time when these areas were healthy. I traveled when traveling was cheap, and less dangerous. I enjoyed my youth before climate change ruined the days and at times the seasons. I’m not very optimistic about the future; but my future is much shorter; gives me less cause for concern, although I lament the loss of pleasant weather which many of us already face nearly every day.
Promoting “buying” is good for no one. People become resentful and unhappy because they can’t afford the latest “car, phone, ipad, sneakers, home reno,” you name it. A lot of “stuff” is not needed and not necessary. Plus consumerism is hard on the planet.
I also find that true. After a long day's work I relish time to sit and think, to remember I am content with what I have.
Actually, "promoting 'buying'" is a good thing for those who are actually working to produce goods that people want to buy. I have no use for people who are "unhappy because they can't afford the latest..." If they really want those things they can work and save and buy them, or maybe not. But the green-eyed monster isn't a healthy thing. And who gets to decide what's "not needed and not necessary?" I think you'd take umbrage if I were able to tell you what those things would be. What would be really fantastic is if people would quit whining about what they don't have and be grateful for what they do.
YES!
I'm pretty much the same age. Prob from a different country. But I always think " Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke".
I call the enemy identity groups and the separatists that promote them. We’re all equal humans - but unique in some ways as well. We all should be able to coexist and grow one society - not limited to one gender, religion, ethnicity, etc. It’s not hard.
I would LOVE to coexist but they keep taking my rights away 🤷🏼♀️ any tips?
How to co-exist with those who would have you dead?
RIGHT?!?!?!? I am not fertile so according to JD Vance I belong in the glue factory.
From what you say, Jacob, is that you are just bowing out of the discourse, I disagree. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn said it well, "Live not by lies." If we bow out and passively allow the likes to lead our culture, they will take root and become the new culture. That is the way Marxism dominates a people.
How much for your computer? ;-)
The key for me is to get out of the Matrix.
I’m an entrepreneur and most of we entrepreneurs are regulated by the laws of the system. One can’t break the system without a strong backing.
Being woke is helpful but it’s not the solution.
One need to rebel against the system to make headway.
I’m no preacher of violence but one have to be creative in their revolt.
I’m trying to escape the matrix too. The cracks are growing. I’m just stuck in a weird financial loop.
I need to escape before I reenter. I’m being fucked too much by it. I have nothing to offer it right now. This system is poison.
It's a wonder that anyone is brave enough to write anything, given comments sections. People ARE tribal, often nasty, and instead of commenting on the material, they comment...on each other's comments, "bashing their opponents heads against the wall." Shut off comments, and write. Ok, that's my comment.
I stopped giving a shit when I realized most people are idiots masquerading as intelligent. Give me your worst! I will laugh!
I disagree. If an article inspires commentary, that's a good thing, as evidenced by the fact that you... Posted a comment. I don't bother with sites that have pay-walled comments; I find that the truly interesting articles are the ones that produce commentary, either positive or negative. And there are a lot of smart people "on both sides" who can contribute to fascinating dialogue.
The irony of my comment is not lost on me. My point is, I wonder if writers self-edit based on the anticipation of negative comments from the usual parties. I know I self-edit comments on certain forums to keep from being subject to a barrage of negativity on certain topics from the tribal masses. So sometimes, an article without commentary might be refreshing, both for the writer, and for the readers.
Amen.
AMEN!!!!!!! Anyone who invites me into their comment section is brave indeed!!!!!!!
Thanks, Fiona
Enjoyed that. This is the way the word ends, not with a bang with a footnote.
For some reason this reminded me of an actual really good line from a U2 song (“Peace on Earth” - 20 years or so since some standout u2 lyrics feels about right): “they say that what you mock / will surely overtake you / and you become a monster / so the monster will not break you.”
Seems appropriate.
Was that song on the album that was forced onto everyone’s iPhones without permission back in like 2017? Amazing reference!!!!!! Incredible, masterful shade my dude!!!! 🫶🏻
No - it was from a decent album from like 2000. Yeah I didn’t even bother with the “Siri says U Must Listen To U2” album or anything after.
One of my favorite U2 albums, actually. Pretty solid from start to finish.
Yes but the U2 of yesteryear has morphed into the Taylor Swift, and Cardi B , of today.
The whole thing is kind of unfortunate. I actually liked their album no line on the horizon from the mid 2000s more than anything they’ve done since the early 90s. It was much more experimental and interesting. But then they just went with production value and the ego of trying to stay more relevant and popular and totally lost it for me.
I wasn't thrilled when you started by defending Lena Dunham's world view, which in short is "I know what's better for Black people than Black people". I was less thrilled when you wallowed in self-disapprobation for missing deadlines, and then conveyed it as a charming defect in your character.
But where you really lost me was when you mentioned some guy named Sam "musing, in a post-assassination-attempt love letter to America, that 'it would have been very chic of Donald Trump to have died'.”
Seriously Dude: You either have the balls to wish Trump dead, or you don't. Don't leave it to somebody else.
Thanks for your comment, it saved me from posting something similar; I'm a slow typist. And there was this gem: "But it’s only on Substack where you’ll find him slip into a turbulent daydream about “ante-Semites” jumping off a bridge into the Thames in the midst of a report from a mass protest." I don't know if "ante" is a typo or intentional, or if Kriss is Jewish, but it makes for a muddled statement by a muddled author. BTW, I copied and pasted from McKenzie's post, so it's not a typo from me.
I was curious about the "ante-Semite" comment by "Sam", and figured it was an attempt at cleverness that was literally nothing more than that. It says worlds to me that Hamish McKenzie would cite "Sam" for cleverness, and then offer that example. Yikes.
That caused me to check Hamish's bio because I was curious why Substack would give prominence to such Juvenalia, and I discovered in Hamish's bio that he is the "Co-founder of Substack, and Chief Writing Officer". I cannot even begin to tell you how depressing that is, given my recent discovery - and esteem - for Substack.
I don't want to know if that's true, and I refuse to investigate this crap any further, for now. That info will no doubt impose itself on me in the near future, and I'm OK with that.
I think it's a forest/trees kind of thing. It appears that McKenzie is so entranced by Kriss' "cleverness" he doesn't actually perceive what was written. I'm probably in wishful thinking mode on this as I've found him to be pretty neutral in the past: he may just feel the same way. I found Substack because Glenn Greenwald was on it, which led me to Ted Gioia (who, in my opinion, is "the most interesting man in the world." Greenwald is long-gone now, but Gioia is still providing me with loads of interesting, widely-varied insight.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🫶🏻🥰
I can't believe I wasted some brain cells reading Sam's "musing."
This is so much worse than when I got the “free” U2 album pushed onto my iPhone. I didn’t want that crap either.
Brain cells used are never wasted.
He might be the best prose stylist on the platform. I had the same reaction you did, at 12, trying to read Faulkner for the first time.
Haha same! (the one abt the protest)
But tbf he does write well 📝
This post is a pretty good summary of why nobody listens. it’s because they cannot speak the specific tribal language…
Wonderfully crafted food-for-thought! Thankyou!
Lapsed tumblr girl here
Society’s biggest problem is trying to legislate my body instead of the guns killing our children at school
Who are any of these libtards and why is this being emailed to me.
Probably to help you break out of your self-righteous, but no free- health- care ignorant shell.
Have you ever read Robert A. Heinlein's work? He had an acronym which he used throughout his career: TANSTAAFL. It would be a good thing for you to look it up and understand it. I won't be holding my breath.
MY QUESTION EXACTLY
Couldn't finish it. Too weird yuck! The so called school of thought isn't mine at all.
That’s because we have body parts that are part of the current political discourse! It wasn’t written FOR us we were supposed to show it to our husbands/fathers/owners!
You know the biggest problem I have with substack is how self-referential so many of the posts are - At least the ones that are recommended to me.
It's like my time on Steam or Hive - trying to find something that has nothing to do with Steam or Hive or makes no mention of Steam or Hive was nearly impossible, especially if the goal was to engage in conversation.
Substack content can largely be encompassed by a Venn diagram consisting of two broad subject matters - substack and politics. The latter is, perhaps, unavoidable - but the former seems to be either the indicator of a nascent medium or a dying medium - or both. I'm hoping the former but time will tell.
Try Ted Gioia's "The Honest Broker." Arts (primarily music), culture, with a healthy dose of analysis of companies who've lost their way. Never associated with politics unless someone in the comments section tries to make it so.
I am a recent paid subscriber to The Bulwark and The FreePress, which are hosted through Substack. I used to follow Matt Talabi, as well, after being impressed by four of five of his books. Other than those, I haven’t yet explored many other Substack affiliated offerings. However, I must have signed up for emails from Substack, or maybe it comes with the territory.
In any case, “A Less Sterile Derangement” showed up in my inbox today, and for some reason it caught my attention. There is a lot competing for that faculty these days. But, in the event, I decided to glance at it anyway and was immediately blown away by how well it was written, so I kept reading. This essay was a piece of fresh air on so many levels. Very interesting, that piece.
I am retired and am on dialysis, so I find myself with hours of dead time to kill every day. With nothing better to do, I have been using (or wasting) this time exploring the internet on my Android. In the sometimes useful category, I discovered news apps and podcasts, and they are now supplementing my longtime daily diet of Kindle and Audible nonfiction books, the NYT, WaPo, CNN, PBS, and, more recently, The Bulwark.
I am now more well informed than is good for me. Aren’t we all? Even with all the dialysis free time, my plate has become pretty full lately; however, I guess I am going to have to make room on it for more of what Substack has to offer, if said article is any example of the type of content I am missing.