Good luck on your endeavor with Matt. I will look forward to the resultant discussions. At 68 I'm comfortable with my life generally. I personally rebuilt my roof last year by myself (yes I'm bragging) and find work to be its own reward. I have 4 grandchildren and a fine Son and Stepson. My 1st wife regrets sending me to Prison, and the 2nd is living with my madness. I look forward to your perspective and congratulate you on your visually attractive spouse. I was raised Lutheran and find some solace in the tenants of Christianity. Self-medication involves alcohol and marijuana combined with Pall Mall unfiltered cigarettes. A pack a week seems to be sufficient.
Well for a 34 your a lot maturer than I was back then. I call them kids still because I was so immature so that's how I see them. I worked for the machine as a hitter and now I hate them even though the fact that I did allows me to live in freedom.
Thanks, I had no intention of sharing it, mostly just as it is years old, but then what Matt wrote was just shockingly similar to what I myself said here. I did get confirmation he had not read it and only learned this from my posting the comment.
I'd soured on the prospect of college until an opportunity arose to attend a small liberal studies GE program that was based in the Hutchins tradition.
It was anchored in The Greeks, which took my brain by storm. We tore through so many books that year. I chuckled when I saw that photo, as my stack looked similiar at the end of it (minus the wife, which I was blessed to find later!)
I like that you take your readers into your confidence with this introduction. One can see your process, commitment and motives for doing what you do. You put a lot of work into your articles. They provide useful information and analysis.
Thank you, that is kind of you to say. The nature and purpose of my writing has somewhat changed since I began, but I think it is best to leave my starting point as what it was. The truth is that putting my thoughts to productive use has been really personally good for me, and thus a lot of my content is quite a lot less angry than I might have expected when I began.
hah, indeed, you may have seen the comment above where the guy went on and on about how it was not a sufficiently classy introduction but I hate scolds.
you know I honestly wasn't that bad of an actor on the internet until the covid insanity made it completely necessary.
* flashback of being in a Montevideo park watching people ride their bicycles while sipping on straws sticking out of a thermos held under their armpits... that's how addictive that stuff is :D *
nice, yeah I got crazy into mate after reading the novel Hopscotch by Julio Cortazar, which isn't that good of a book, but I had to drink mate to know what he was talking about.
This prick lost me at “boomers…blah blah blah…”. Stringing words together does not a good writer make. The thinking behind the words kinda matters. No? Tell me Oh Wise Corn Fed Small House Owning COVID Scam Survivor; how exactly do you measure “…worst generation…in all of human history…”?
I’m busting your balls dude but truly…a thought before committing worst generation statements. How would you measure that? It’s goofy on its face. It devalues everything you’ve written before and after it. You’re being presented as someone worth listening to. And I will. I’ll try and bring along an open mind…
There’s a context to all of this. Information is infinite. Isn’t that literally so? It’s the product of human thought. Time isn’t. You and Matt are competing for our time and attention. You may not accept that premise. But I think it’s fair.
I listened to your back and forth with Horton and thought; “Shit! This guys is just another striver. Making pronouncements about the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Provocative stuff. But my dude you have no expertise about that conflict. Nothing invested.
But according to Matt’s announcement you’ll be discussing books. The content in those books. Perhaps some ideas those books inspire. How the material relates to current events. That appeals to me.
I’ve adopted a no-new-opinions-required approach generally. I’m an old man. A selfish boomer. What do I want with your opinion? Not a god damned thing. Right?
Nor you mine.
I think that’s reasonable. But your analysis of books? That might be healthy. I mean…it may be kind of a fine distinction.
Anyhow rookie! Good luck. The readership here is interesting. The comments section illustrates that. Comprised of liberals and conservatives. Cynics and generous souls. Ruthless sometimes. But broadly speaking pretty discerning. See ya Monday!!
As stated, I have considerable respect for your analysis regarding NATO/UKR/RUSSIA conflict.
I was quite impressed at your depth of understanding the issues.
Then I read your Bio/Intro and was disappointed at the self indulgent narcissism and especially the gratuitous use of the provocative photo of your wife splayed out on the table behind the stack of books you claim to have read. It was a Trophy Pic plain and simple and speaks to a certain immaturity by a person who aims to be taken seriously.
Otherwise we appear to be comrades in arms vis-à-vis the Global Elite who wish to destroy us.
I did, in fact, read all of those books last year, because I went kind of crazy and did nothing else with my time.
Most people think that is a great picture. I don't really see that as immature, though clearly we irreconcilably disagree on this matter.
That said, I will consider revising my introduction, insofar as I took the substack in a somewhat different direction than I intended to, so you may have a point that it is not conducive for what I am now going for- my writing has came to contain less humor over time.
Still, there's a pretty big issue whereby people have no idea where I'm coming from, which is the value in having an extended introduction explaining how I got here.
I have no reason to dispute your claim that you read all the books - a wonderful and enlightening accomplishment.
Regarding the photo…
Let’s say Chris Hedges, Matt Taibbi or CJ Hopkins writes a scathing critique of the UKR war and you agree with all their points. Then you search their substack Bio and see a photo of an attractive 30 something splayed out on a desktop in fishnet hose.
Question: what would be YOUR reaction . Would you take the person less seriously ?
I assume YOU wish to be taken seriously as a blogger/intellectual ? You certainly have the background and analytical ability.
I actually came across your site via a link posted by a commenter on Saker.
So I assume you know my interests by now. I don’t wish to be hyper- critical, only to give you my impressions and allow you to see yourself from a different perspective.
Stick to serious analysis and you will find that your readership will grow.
I think you greatly overestimate how seriously I expect to be taken and underestimate how much credibility having a gorgeous wife gives you with people; it makes people figure there must be something special about you, and further, that you're not some basement dwelling incel.
You also sound painfully prudish and joyless. I would not at all have the reaction you are describing, and I don't think many would. It's a gorgeous woman in front of classic texts, two of my favorite things, i would think it was awesome. This all seems very specific to you.
I appreciate the feedback, though I just am painfully highbrow as a person, and I realize that the title is very self-indulgent, but it was literally impossible for me to not make that Dostoevsky reference, and to be honest I've read too many modernist novels to write any other way. I actually thought my wife would try to stop me from using that title but then she found it quite amusing.
That said, as I wasn't entirely sure what I would be writing when I wrote the introduction, it would perhaps be prudent to revise it to better reflect the work I've actually been producing.
It is, however, not entirely clear to me what part of the actual articles are narcissistic, though its certainly true not everyone finds my sardonic tone and sometimes-profanity to be helpful, though other people find it quite entertaining.
Good luck on your endeavor with Matt. I will look forward to the resultant discussions. At 68 I'm comfortable with my life generally. I personally rebuilt my roof last year by myself (yes I'm bragging) and find work to be its own reward. I have 4 grandchildren and a fine Son and Stepson. My 1st wife regrets sending me to Prison, and the 2nd is living with my madness. I look forward to your perspective and congratulate you on your visually attractive spouse. I was raised Lutheran and find some solace in the tenants of Christianity. Self-medication involves alcohol and marijuana combined with Pall Mall unfiltered cigarettes. A pack a week seems to be sufficient.
Well for a 34 your a lot maturer than I was back then. I call them kids still because I was so immature so that's how I see them. I worked for the machine as a hitter and now I hate them even though the fact that I did allows me to live in freedom.
Hah, well I am 36 now, we all seem to get older all the time
Excellent intro. Enjoyed it thoroughly, and was surprised to read the comments from those that did not.
I like learning about the trajectory of people, ping ponging around creation.
Looking forward to your insights about great books in your new podcast with Matt.
Thanks, I had no intention of sharing it, mostly just as it is years old, but then what Matt wrote was just shockingly similar to what I myself said here. I did get confirmation he had not read it and only learned this from my posting the comment.
I'd soured on the prospect of college until an opportunity arose to attend a small liberal studies GE program that was based in the Hutchins tradition.
It was anchored in The Greeks, which took my brain by storm. We tore through so many books that year. I chuckled when I saw that photo, as my stack looked similiar at the end of it (minus the wife, which I was blessed to find later!)
Looking forward to Aristophanes on Monday!
I like that you take your readers into your confidence with this introduction. One can see your process, commitment and motives for doing what you do. You put a lot of work into your articles. They provide useful information and analysis.
Thank you, that is kind of you to say. The nature and purpose of my writing has somewhat changed since I began, but I think it is best to leave my starting point as what it was. The truth is that putting my thoughts to productive use has been really personally good for me, and thus a lot of my content is quite a lot less angry than I might have expected when I began.
Everything is as it should be with no regrets and you won't lose your shitposter roots. Because, that's the ultimate of based.
hah, indeed, you may have seen the comment above where the guy went on and on about how it was not a sufficiently classy introduction but I hate scolds.
you know I honestly wasn't that bad of an actor on the internet until the covid insanity made it completely necessary.
I would gladly spend a bunch of evenings sitting around a table with you, having a small joint and exchanging idea...
I actually quit marijuana 6 months ago, which I'm very proud of having done, however, I drink yerba mate like crazy and can sit at a table all night
* flashback of being in a Montevideo park watching people ride their bicycles while sipping on straws sticking out of a thermos held under their armpits... that's how addictive that stuff is :D *
are you from Uruguay?
Lebanon; we gave them empanadas and they gave us mate!
nice, yeah I got crazy into mate after reading the novel Hopscotch by Julio Cortazar, which isn't that good of a book, but I had to drink mate to know what he was talking about.
This prick lost me at “boomers…blah blah blah…”. Stringing words together does not a good writer make. The thinking behind the words kinda matters. No? Tell me Oh Wise Corn Fed Small House Owning COVID Scam Survivor; how exactly do you measure “…worst generation…in all of human history…”?
I mean…seriously. Was ya there Charlie?
Ok boomer
I’m busting your balls dude but truly…a thought before committing worst generation statements. How would you measure that? It’s goofy on its face. It devalues everything you’ve written before and after it. You’re being presented as someone worth listening to. And I will. I’ll try and bring along an open mind…
There’s a context to all of this. Information is infinite. Isn’t that literally so? It’s the product of human thought. Time isn’t. You and Matt are competing for our time and attention. You may not accept that premise. But I think it’s fair.
I listened to your back and forth with Horton and thought; “Shit! This guys is just another striver. Making pronouncements about the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Provocative stuff. But my dude you have no expertise about that conflict. Nothing invested.
But according to Matt’s announcement you’ll be discussing books. The content in those books. Perhaps some ideas those books inspire. How the material relates to current events. That appeals to me.
I’ve adopted a no-new-opinions-required approach generally. I’m an old man. A selfish boomer. What do I want with your opinion? Not a god damned thing. Right?
Nor you mine.
I think that’s reasonable. But your analysis of books? That might be healthy. I mean…it may be kind of a fine distinction.
Anyhow rookie! Good luck. The readership here is interesting. The comments section illustrates that. Comprised of liberals and conservatives. Cynics and generous souls. Ruthless sometimes. But broadly speaking pretty discerning. See ya Monday!!
Brad,
As stated, I have considerable respect for your analysis regarding NATO/UKR/RUSSIA conflict.
I was quite impressed at your depth of understanding the issues.
Then I read your Bio/Intro and was disappointed at the self indulgent narcissism and especially the gratuitous use of the provocative photo of your wife splayed out on the table behind the stack of books you claim to have read. It was a Trophy Pic plain and simple and speaks to a certain immaturity by a person who aims to be taken seriously.
Otherwise we appear to be comrades in arms vis-à-vis the Global Elite who wish to destroy us.
Kind regards,
- G
I did, in fact, read all of those books last year, because I went kind of crazy and did nothing else with my time.
Most people think that is a great picture. I don't really see that as immature, though clearly we irreconcilably disagree on this matter.
That said, I will consider revising my introduction, insofar as I took the substack in a somewhat different direction than I intended to, so you may have a point that it is not conducive for what I am now going for- my writing has came to contain less humor over time.
Still, there's a pretty big issue whereby people have no idea where I'm coming from, which is the value in having an extended introduction explaining how I got here.
Brad,
I have no reason to dispute your claim that you read all the books - a wonderful and enlightening accomplishment.
Regarding the photo…
Let’s say Chris Hedges, Matt Taibbi or CJ Hopkins writes a scathing critique of the UKR war and you agree with all their points. Then you search their substack Bio and see a photo of an attractive 30 something splayed out on a desktop in fishnet hose.
Question: what would be YOUR reaction . Would you take the person less seriously ?
I assume YOU wish to be taken seriously as a blogger/intellectual ? You certainly have the background and analytical ability.
I actually came across your site via a link posted by a commenter on Saker.
So I assume you know my interests by now. I don’t wish to be hyper- critical, only to give you my impressions and allow you to see yourself from a different perspective.
Stick to serious analysis and you will find that your readership will grow.
Kind regards,
Gary
I think you greatly overestimate how seriously I expect to be taken and underestimate how much credibility having a gorgeous wife gives you with people; it makes people figure there must be something special about you, and further, that you're not some basement dwelling incel.
You also sound painfully prudish and joyless. I would not at all have the reaction you are describing, and I don't think many would. It's a gorgeous woman in front of classic texts, two of my favorite things, i would think it was awesome. This all seems very specific to you.
You’d be much more convincing if you dramatically toned down the narcissism and stuck to analysis.
Your commentary vis-à-vis the NATO/UKR/RUSSIA conflict was quite compelling and I am largely in agreement.
Your personal Bio was juvenile and grossly self indulgent and seriously detracts from your analysis on other topics. I would suggest you scrub it.
Thank you… - G
I appreciate the feedback, though I just am painfully highbrow as a person, and I realize that the title is very self-indulgent, but it was literally impossible for me to not make that Dostoevsky reference, and to be honest I've read too many modernist novels to write any other way. I actually thought my wife would try to stop me from using that title but then she found it quite amusing.
That said, as I wasn't entirely sure what I would be writing when I wrote the introduction, it would perhaps be prudent to revise it to better reflect the work I've actually been producing.
It is, however, not entirely clear to me what part of the actual articles are narcissistic, though its certainly true not everyone finds my sardonic tone and sometimes-profanity to be helpful, though other people find it quite entertaining.