Awesome writing!!! In this age of 'short attention span' theater, where listening allows more efficient multi-tasking, reading your substack is a must & a joy! Btw, I want to thank you for your eloquent review of 'Ripley'! It's a masterpiece & given how much of my viewing time is now devoted to "breaking news" I would have ignored it, but It's a treasure & requires repeated rewatch.
Thanks, Gratia. It is a constant struggle for me with the attention span stuff, as modern society seems intent on destroying it. I'm so glad you enjoyed Ripley!
So glad to read that about attention span. In every job I've had, I've ended up being assigned to write. For years, time, I enjoyed it, and people seemed to react positively, but now, if I write more than a short paragraph, I feel guilty and expect complaints. Same with making videos for clients. I need motion sickness meds to work on them now. But if it's a problem for you, then I feel much better! (Sorry for the long comment, lol!)
Thank you, Greg. You really put me in the head of a graduating high school young man in 2005. I think I now understand MAGA. These young men were born into an (as yet undeserved) power structure. They assumed that they would get the good jobs when women couldn't; that they could get the higher pay, when women couldn't; that they could tell their girlfriends and, eventually, their wives, what to do, when women could not push back. And suddenly the world was all upside down. They felt confused and lost. I actually felt empathetic towards their plight. MAGA is an attempt to get that power back but they've gone too far. The world has changed.
Thanks, Kris. There are of course many reasons people go MAGA, not all of them the same, but I think that what you describe is the main one. To them, paradoxically, Trump represents order.
Another great Sunday piece. Your next book should be a collection of Sunday musings, perhaps entitled Literature as a Guide to Living.
One big takeaway from this excellent article, there is a comfortable life outside your bubble. I believe, be it MAGANuts or the extreme left, fear grips them, making change for the better an impossibility..
Sadly growing old does not guarantee growing up. To be a better self requires the three Is, Inspiration, Intuition and Introspection, which translates to Intelligence.
I see myself like you, a product of my upbringing. There are things to admire in what my early life taught me, e.g. the importance of family but also things that today disgust me. For me the awakening was not from an early love, rather moving to another country to live and work in a very different value system, bring up our daughter. The key to the three Is is observation. Seeing others, accepting them for what they are. To be a better self requires one to step outside of themselves, observe themselves from a distance and be honest about what they see. Oftentimes Intuition tells us something is wrong. Rather than stop there allow honest Introspection to guide us, letting us be Inspired to change for the better, even if that means confirmation of that part of ourselves is ok, giving confidence to move forward free from doubt..
If I were to publish a book of Sunday raplies to your articles, it might be Ramblings from a very old man who is still growing up.
Thanks Greg for helping me, post Thursday's debacle get through another day. As is said in AA when life seems so bleak, one day at a time.
Viewed your blog. The stickball piece brought back memories of my games on the Columbus Grammer school playground. I could hit but catching, a pop up was pure hell, body taut, a stream of don't drop it ringing in my head . Spaulding hit hands then bounced out. Damn another one got away.
Glad to hear that memories of Spalding balls are still rattling around. I loved growing up in Brooklyn. Erasmus Hall HS freshman year. Then Farmingdale, L.I. and beyond. 😄
Thanks, Old Man. I am working on a Sunday Pages anthology, but I had to do the Rough Beast book first, for obvious reasons. "Literature as a Guide to Living" is a good subtitle!
I think, to your point, as we get older we become more set in our ways, which makes it harder to challenge ourselves and our assumptions. And that is something to be aware of and fight against.
First, congrats to Milo! He should, of course, follow his heart, AND his dream, and etc. etc. etc.
The Sunday column today made me think of my own political awakening, which had nothing to do with red pills, and which I can only pinpoint somewhere in the range of when I was about 35-40, which would put it in the 1990s. I had almost no feelings about high school graduation as I was one of about 950 people in my class -- handing out diplomas took almost two hours -- so, I remember little of the commencement address, who gave it, or what I thought of it. Following that, I remained an amorphous blob politically for a good many years. The first time I voted was for Gerald Ford, and the second time Ronald Reagan, so based on those votes alone, I was a political idiot.
The next time I voted at all was for Bill Clinton in 1992, and I've consistently voted in every election -- even the "little" ones -- since then. My actual awakening was probably when the SCOTUS gifted the 2000 election to Bush. I thought it grossly unfair and was gobsmacked that something like that could even happen! That decision alone pushed me to be involved and engaged in politics from then on.
Apparently, politics is important in this country. Understatement? Yes. I would much prefer that the "best persons" were elected, and sometimes that happens, but mostly, especially for the highest offices, personalities are what gets the vote. It's why Reagan got elected, and Clinton, and Bush, and even Obama. It is an objective fact that Trump benefitted from that perversion of the electoral system, and it's also why we're still fighting Jabba the Trump again, and I think 2024 will still bring Joe's re-election, but it will be a long, ugly, bloody road. And if Joe drops out, it will be 99% because of the media coverage. In case anyone still has doubts, the MSM only cares about their ratings and how much money they can make from advertisers. Our democracy? Meh, only IF it benefits them. I did notice in the midst of all this coverage of Thursday's debate, NOBODY called for the convicted felon, adjudicated rapist, and constant liar, Donald Trump, to drop out of the race, just Joe. And that's because Jabba makes them money -- the more outrageous he is, the better for them.
So, let's commence because commence we must! I no longer have any illusions about the possibility of Trump being re-elected. Oh, it's possible! This is not 2016, where no one really knew what they were in for, this is NOW, and we all know what his reinstallation would mean. It's even in a 900-page book that is no secret! We may have to fire up Tor browsers to read Greg's columns on the Dark Web! Can you imagine? I'm starting to. Let's hope and VOTE that it doesn't come to that. If it's any consolation, I don't think even ONE vote changed because of Thursday's debate, and since we've been here so long, I don't even believe in the mythical "undecided voter," so there's that. Commence!
The lack of flash also doomed HRC, ultimately. She is easily the most qualified candidate we've ever had, and would have hit the ground running day one -- she even knows where the light switches are in the WH bedroom! -- but no, we had to have the carnival barker.
The media is so disgusting. I hope that people reject it, that they lose enough dough with shit coverage that they learn the lesson, but I doubt it...
Congratulations on getting your two kittlings through the first part of their lives and launched into the next. Heaven knows what kinds of challenges they will have to face. I’m not sure we’ve left them much to live with but there will be an awful lot for them to deal with.
As usual Ouse left a lot to think about now so I’m off to do just that. Thanks for your illuminating thoughts.
Thank you. It's very very strange and disorienting not to know what the world will be like by Thanksgiving, let alone ten years from now. So very unsettling.
This piece really moved me. I was familiar with Jobs’ address but not Wallace’s. Both are outstanding, but Wallace’s ideas struck me as especially profound today. The concept that we all worship something and how that controls our lives is especially thought provoking to me. As is Jobs’ statement about death. And your application of these ideas to the MAGA phenomenon. Even the memories of graduations and commencements put me in a reverie. I can appreciate that so much of what Wallace says education really is has been going on in my head from reading and rereading what you wrote here. Thank you!
Superb as always. Any chance you were a Phantom Tollbooth fan?
Thank you! And: yes, I love that book, and it is absolutely the source of the name.
I knew it had to be!
If not that, then Descendants.
Wow! Excellent, thought provoking piece.
Thanks, Finn!
So wonderful, exactly what my old mind need. Good and thoughtful. I had to subscribe Greg you grounded me in this time of uncertainty. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Val. I appreciate the subscription. Welcome to the comment board community!
Awesome writing!!! In this age of 'short attention span' theater, where listening allows more efficient multi-tasking, reading your substack is a must & a joy! Btw, I want to thank you for your eloquent review of 'Ripley'! It's a masterpiece & given how much of my viewing time is now devoted to "breaking news" I would have ignored it, but It's a treasure & requires repeated rewatch.
Thanks, Gratia. It is a constant struggle for me with the attention span stuff, as modern society seems intent on destroying it. I'm so glad you enjoyed Ripley!
So glad to read that about attention span. In every job I've had, I've ended up being assigned to write. For years, time, I enjoyed it, and people seemed to react positively, but now, if I write more than a short paragraph, I feel guilty and expect complaints. Same with making videos for clients. I need motion sickness meds to work on them now. But if it's a problem for you, then I feel much better! (Sorry for the long comment, lol!)
I loved this, Greg!
Thanks, Jim!
One of the best things I've read in a while. Lots of things to take into the new day.
As always, thank you.
Thanks so much, Silvia!
Thank you, Greg. You really put me in the head of a graduating high school young man in 2005. I think I now understand MAGA. These young men were born into an (as yet undeserved) power structure. They assumed that they would get the good jobs when women couldn't; that they could get the higher pay, when women couldn't; that they could tell their girlfriends and, eventually, their wives, what to do, when women could not push back. And suddenly the world was all upside down. They felt confused and lost. I actually felt empathetic towards their plight. MAGA is an attempt to get that power back but they've gone too far. The world has changed.
Many MAGAts are just mad that equality for others means less for them. Or so they have been told….
Thanks, Kris. There are of course many reasons people go MAGA, not all of them the same, but I think that what you describe is the main one. To them, paradoxically, Trump represents order.
Thought provoking as usual. I love reading your writing. You make references I get.
Thank you, Sally!
Congratulations to your son!
Your ex may have ignited your fire but you've kept the flame burning on your own.
Thank you for all you do.
Thank you!
Another great Sunday piece. Your next book should be a collection of Sunday musings, perhaps entitled Literature as a Guide to Living.
One big takeaway from this excellent article, there is a comfortable life outside your bubble. I believe, be it MAGANuts or the extreme left, fear grips them, making change for the better an impossibility..
Sadly growing old does not guarantee growing up. To be a better self requires the three Is, Inspiration, Intuition and Introspection, which translates to Intelligence.
I see myself like you, a product of my upbringing. There are things to admire in what my early life taught me, e.g. the importance of family but also things that today disgust me. For me the awakening was not from an early love, rather moving to another country to live and work in a very different value system, bring up our daughter. The key to the three Is is observation. Seeing others, accepting them for what they are. To be a better self requires one to step outside of themselves, observe themselves from a distance and be honest about what they see. Oftentimes Intuition tells us something is wrong. Rather than stop there allow honest Introspection to guide us, letting us be Inspired to change for the better, even if that means confirmation of that part of ourselves is ok, giving confidence to move forward free from doubt..
If I were to publish a book of Sunday raplies to your articles, it might be Ramblings from a very old man who is still growing up.
Thanks Greg for helping me, post Thursday's debacle get through another day. As is said in AA when life seems so bleak, one day at a time.
Liked your essay too. Old me. Billserle.com
Viewed your blog. The stickball piece brought back memories of my games on the Columbus Grammer school playground. I could hit but catching, a pop up was pure hell, body taut, a stream of don't drop it ringing in my head . Spaulding hit hands then bounced out. Damn another one got away.
Glad to hear that memories of Spalding balls are still rattling around. I loved growing up in Brooklyn. Erasmus Hall HS freshman year. Then Farmingdale, L.I. and beyond. 😄
Thanks, Bill!
Thanks, Old Man. I am working on a Sunday Pages anthology, but I had to do the Rough Beast book first, for obvious reasons. "Literature as a Guide to Living" is a good subtitle!
I think, to your point, as we get older we become more set in our ways, which makes it harder to challenge ourselves and our assumptions. And that is something to be aware of and fight against.
Yes, a comment book!
Congrats on your son’s graduation and on presenting a Wonderful Essay on our current ability to enjoy Freedom.
Billserle.com
Thanks, Bill!
Congratulations Olear Parenting partnership.
And,
Milo: interesting Greek orgin. A pleasant column.
Makes me wanta slip my DVD of American Graffiti in the machine tonight.
As on graduation nite I was on my way to work in my 4 on the floor machine. Priorities you know.
And I had no desire to be the last person in line to be handed my socially promoted diploma.
Your graduation story does not surprise me.
American Graffiti is a great movie. Harrison Ford FTW!
First, congrats to Milo! He should, of course, follow his heart, AND his dream, and etc. etc. etc.
The Sunday column today made me think of my own political awakening, which had nothing to do with red pills, and which I can only pinpoint somewhere in the range of when I was about 35-40, which would put it in the 1990s. I had almost no feelings about high school graduation as I was one of about 950 people in my class -- handing out diplomas took almost two hours -- so, I remember little of the commencement address, who gave it, or what I thought of it. Following that, I remained an amorphous blob politically for a good many years. The first time I voted was for Gerald Ford, and the second time Ronald Reagan, so based on those votes alone, I was a political idiot.
The next time I voted at all was for Bill Clinton in 1992, and I've consistently voted in every election -- even the "little" ones -- since then. My actual awakening was probably when the SCOTUS gifted the 2000 election to Bush. I thought it grossly unfair and was gobsmacked that something like that could even happen! That decision alone pushed me to be involved and engaged in politics from then on.
Apparently, politics is important in this country. Understatement? Yes. I would much prefer that the "best persons" were elected, and sometimes that happens, but mostly, especially for the highest offices, personalities are what gets the vote. It's why Reagan got elected, and Clinton, and Bush, and even Obama. It is an objective fact that Trump benefitted from that perversion of the electoral system, and it's also why we're still fighting Jabba the Trump again, and I think 2024 will still bring Joe's re-election, but it will be a long, ugly, bloody road. And if Joe drops out, it will be 99% because of the media coverage. In case anyone still has doubts, the MSM only cares about their ratings and how much money they can make from advertisers. Our democracy? Meh, only IF it benefits them. I did notice in the midst of all this coverage of Thursday's debate, NOBODY called for the convicted felon, adjudicated rapist, and constant liar, Donald Trump, to drop out of the race, just Joe. And that's because Jabba makes them money -- the more outrageous he is, the better for them.
So, let's commence because commence we must! I no longer have any illusions about the possibility of Trump being re-elected. Oh, it's possible! This is not 2016, where no one really knew what they were in for, this is NOW, and we all know what his reinstallation would mean. It's even in a 900-page book that is no secret! We may have to fire up Tor browsers to read Greg's columns on the Dark Web! Can you imagine? I'm starting to. Let's hope and VOTE that it doesn't come to that. If it's any consolation, I don't think even ONE vote changed because of Thursday's debate, and since we've been here so long, I don't even believe in the mythical "undecided voter," so there's that. Commence!
Aesop - “we hang the petty thieves, and appoint the great ones to public office
ooo, that's good.
The lack of flash also doomed HRC, ultimately. She is easily the most qualified candidate we've ever had, and would have hit the ground running day one -- she even knows where the light switches are in the WH bedroom! -- but no, we had to have the carnival barker.
The media is so disgusting. I hope that people reject it, that they lose enough dough with shit coverage that they learn the lesson, but I doubt it...
Congratulations on Milo's milestone! x
Thank you!
Congratulations on getting your two kittlings through the first part of their lives and launched into the next. Heaven knows what kinds of challenges they will have to face. I’m not sure we’ve left them much to live with but there will be an awful lot for them to deal with.
As usual Ouse left a lot to think about now so I’m off to do just that. Thanks for your illuminating thoughts.
Thank you. It's very very strange and disorienting not to know what the world will be like by Thanksgiving, let alone ten years from now. So very unsettling.
This piece really moved me. I was familiar with Jobs’ address but not Wallace’s. Both are outstanding, but Wallace’s ideas struck me as especially profound today. The concept that we all worship something and how that controls our lives is especially thought provoking to me. As is Jobs’ statement about death. And your application of these ideas to the MAGA phenomenon. Even the memories of graduations and commencements put me in a reverie. I can appreciate that so much of what Wallace says education really is has been going on in my head from reading and rereading what you wrote here. Thank you!
Thanks, Earl. I quote like commencement speeches, if I'm in the right mood. Even bad ones contain wisdom, generally.