"In a media environment where layoffs, spin, and dumbing down are pervasive, let’s give a boost to journalists and platforms adhering to high standards. So if you find a writer here whose work is meaningful to you, consider taking out a subscription."
Well said, Ted. You are a singular talent in capturing the zeitgeist and an important voice in supporting free expression on Substack. If I may, I recommend NS Lyons' "The China Convergence" as one the best long-form pieces on Substack this year: https://theupheaval.substack.com/p/the-china-convergence
“I’m not exaggerating when I say that I find these critiques – so often snide or irreverent in their cadence – baffling, gaslighting, disempowering, at times even agonising. I can’t understand what they could possibly have to do with this book that I know as my friend, that I found myself in at my most alienated moment.”
It was lovely to read Mala Chatterjee’s homage to this book that I’ve loved ever since I impulse-bought it at a Barnes & Noble , in 1997, when I was 23. It is one of my very favorite books. That it means so much to another woman, of a different generation, despite all the derision heaped on the book, its author, and its fans, means the world to me.
It’s a lovely, ugly, unwieldy, funny, sad, beautiful book. I’ve read it four times, and this article has made me want to read it at least once more before I die someday.
Egad, I only know a few of these! Hello, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences? I'd like an extra week of reading time before school starts, please! :-)
You had me at Harvey Dickson. Whether he's writing, playing the sax, or taking photographs on the NYC streets, Harvey always seems to be having more fun than anyone else -- and he's always happy to share the good times with anyone who wants to join him. It's wonderful to see him featured here.
This looks like a fantastic list. And it looks like I'm set for my reading for the rest of the year. Thank you!
The piece on innovation by the audio producer strikes a note. I did the same thing with my graphics tools a few years ago. Poser switched to 'phone home' mode, requiring constant connection; it also forced a new version of Python for its control scripts, which broke a thousand little helpers I've developed over the years. The change was especially galling because many of those helpers were given freely to the Poser community, which used them and sometimes stole them and monetized them. So I dropped back to the last pre-phone-home version.
All of my tools are non-subscription and ancient by digital standards, but nothing better has emerged.
Newer alternatives always leave out the most useful part of a program and add fashionable bells and whistles in its place.
"In a media environment where layoffs, spin, and dumbing down are pervasive, let’s give a boost to journalists and platforms adhering to high standards. So if you find a writer here whose work is meaningful to you, consider taking out a subscription."
Well said, Ted. You are a singular talent in capturing the zeitgeist and an important voice in supporting free expression on Substack. If I may, I recommend NS Lyons' "The China Convergence" as one the best long-form pieces on Substack this year: https://theupheaval.substack.com/p/the-china-convergence
“I’m not exaggerating when I say that I find these critiques – so often snide or irreverent in their cadence – baffling, gaslighting, disempowering, at times even agonising. I can’t understand what they could possibly have to do with this book that I know as my friend, that I found myself in at my most alienated moment.”
It was lovely to read Mala Chatterjee’s homage to this book that I’ve loved ever since I impulse-bought it at a Barnes & Noble , in 1997, when I was 23. It is one of my very favorite books. That it means so much to another woman, of a different generation, despite all the derision heaped on the book, its author, and its fans, means the world to me.
It’s a lovely, ugly, unwieldy, funny, sad, beautiful book. I’ve read it four times, and this article has made me want to read it at least once more before I die someday.
Egad, I only know a few of these! Hello, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences? I'd like an extra week of reading time before school starts, please! :-)
Thanks for the shout out, Ted! 🙏
You had me at Harvey Dickson. Whether he's writing, playing the sax, or taking photographs on the NYC streets, Harvey always seems to be having more fun than anyone else -- and he's always happy to share the good times with anyone who wants to join him. It's wonderful to see him featured here.
This looks like a fantastic list. And it looks like I'm set for my reading for the rest of the year. Thank you!
Here's an article not on your list that I think you might find interesting:
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Music Has No Economic Value
Joakim Book
December 22, 2023
https://www.aier.org/article/music-has-no-economic-value/
Curious if that is your own typewriter?
I like these lists. The bowling piece is great.
The piece on innovation by the audio producer strikes a note. I did the same thing with my graphics tools a few years ago. Poser switched to 'phone home' mode, requiring constant connection; it also forced a new version of Python for its control scripts, which broke a thousand little helpers I've developed over the years. The change was especially galling because many of those helpers were given freely to the Poser community, which used them and sometimes stole them and monetized them. So I dropped back to the last pre-phone-home version.
All of my tools are non-subscription and ancient by digital standards, but nothing better has emerged.
Newer alternatives always leave out the most useful part of a program and add fashionable bells and whistles in its place.
Is that a very old Olivetti?
👍👍🔥🔥