I try to keep away from the poison that is infinite scrolling, Haven’t quite gotten myself to put books in the in their proper place yet. But I too abhor social media ad I feel your pain with that. Thank you for your work here and at Doomberg.
"so I fret about how I’ll grow this fledgling offering, until I remind myself that there are many ways to market, and that quality delivered with persistence begets engagement" - That's how I got here. Thank you
Picasso's Child with a Dove was enough to justify this post and advice that when opportunity finds you you best be already working and your sharing of the Dean of Colleges shallow take and all that thru the music and the paintings/portraits: most excellent. Thanks for doing all this for us.
Doesn’t that image just say so much? The vibrancy and energy in the color and line, against the delicate subject both nurtured and nurturing. And that it came rather early in Picasso’s career. I knew it was the perfect image right when I saw came across it. So glad you enjoyed the piece!
“To him who is compelled to pace to and fro within the high walls and in the narrow courtyard of a prison, all objects appear clear and distinct. It is the traveller journeying onward, full of heart and hope, with an ever-varying horizon, on the boundless plain, who is liable to mistake clouds for mountains, and the mirage of drouth for an expanse of refreshing water.” Coleridge
What do you think about being in a book club where you can’t stand the books? My first in person book club…think the books they read are trash…they don’t like classics…they didn’t understand/like heart of darkness. can you judge a person by the books they like? Maybe a lesson in reaching across the aisle and building bridges between people that like unalike books? Does this mean they are unalike people? They refused to read Lolita but recommended a different book about pedophilia something like all the beautiful and ugly things. Should I continue to read these books just to be aware what’s out there? The two books I’m labeling as trash are My Friends (albeit could only make myself read sixteen chapters) and the ghost writer…loved Nancy drew and chandler so have no problem with some ‘thrillers’. I know Pynchon, infinite jest and the like are classics and just not my style…so I made myself read those but I just feel like I’m feeling my head with bad stuff I don’t like.
Ruby, I LOVE your curation because I’d never think of those literary works, and so I’m learning and perhaps getting some of the dung off my boots. Your voice is soothing and a welcome presence.
I’ve also viewed Doomberg on YouTube. The literary work he has recently inspired me to experience (in audiobook) is Ray Dalio, Principles. Oh boy, I do think Dalio must have read Marcus Aurelius! Anyway, you two siblings bring joy, however you want to take that.
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts about young people. Before I studied economics and became an oil and gas banker in the FSU, I was a confused kid in prep school coping with an unusual brain and the weight of my father's death. I connected with an English teacher who had the patience to show me how to perform intellectually—to put aside the dark clay in my hands and earn a unique thought. Now I'm a grandfather living in fear of the state we're in. Here's how I think about it today. The influence of that English teacher, my girlfriends, and my summer jobs cemented what I call ancestral sources of dopamine and serotonin. This set me up to sip these hormonal riches when they came from work, concentration, care, respect, and presence. Among many young people I encounter today, there is a void. I'd say their dopamine and serotonin have been hijacked to serve commercial purposes—or worse, to serve the rage engagement machine. And then there is the horror of those who turn to chemical pleasures, thereby rewiring these hormones in awful ways. I too hope you can reach young people so that they understand the gift of literature that must be earned over time. Reading is more than mechanics. There is the compound return on investment in reading that may address the moral poverty of our time. Among "yutes," attitudes are caught, not taught, so I urge parents and caregivers to demonstrate an appreciation for reading (or music, etc.) lest you turn young brains' hormones over to the machine.
I applaud your initiative and I’m grateful for the work that you put into curating worthwhile stories for my consumption. Your voice is a joy to listen to and is a fitting accompaniment to such excellent writing.
Thank you for your terrific piece this morning. My parents always reminded us that we are, on this earth, to live and “do” for the betterment of others and that our lives are not meant just for our pleasure or our own importance. You must have overheard them!
I try to keep away from the poison that is infinite scrolling, Haven’t quite gotten myself to put books in the in their proper place yet. But I too abhor social media ad I feel your pain with that. Thank you for your work here and at Doomberg.
There is no try, there is only do ;)
Thanks for the kind note!
"so I fret about how I’ll grow this fledgling offering, until I remind myself that there are many ways to market, and that quality delivered with persistence begets engagement" - That's how I got here. Thank you
I’m so glad you’re here!
We are grateful as well for your work and pass the word along to our friends! You are doing a terrific service . . . MUCH APPRECIATED!!
I am totally in sync with your project. Furthermore, you have the perfect voice for this effort.
Here is my take on a similar theme,
https://www.lewrockwell.com/2017/12/ira-katz/my-bibliophilia-yesterday-and-today/
Thanks for the link! Anna Karenina is one of my favorites as well.
Picasso's Child with a Dove was enough to justify this post and advice that when opportunity finds you you best be already working and your sharing of the Dean of Colleges shallow take and all that thru the music and the paintings/portraits: most excellent. Thanks for doing all this for us.
Doesn’t that image just say so much? The vibrancy and energy in the color and line, against the delicate subject both nurtured and nurturing. And that it came rather early in Picasso’s career. I knew it was the perfect image right when I saw came across it. So glad you enjoyed the piece!
“The secret waits for the insight
Of eyes unclouded by longing:
Those who are bound by desire
See only the outward container.” Lao Tzu
“To him who is compelled to pace to and fro within the high walls and in the narrow courtyard of a prison, all objects appear clear and distinct. It is the traveller journeying onward, full of heart and hope, with an ever-varying horizon, on the boundless plain, who is liable to mistake clouds for mountains, and the mirage of drouth for an expanse of refreshing water.” Coleridge
I just read the following:
Awareness and love are not so different. They can't be created, only realised. They can't be destroyed, only obscured.
Maybe this is also true for joy?
What do you think about being in a book club where you can’t stand the books? My first in person book club…think the books they read are trash…they don’t like classics…they didn’t understand/like heart of darkness. can you judge a person by the books they like? Maybe a lesson in reaching across the aisle and building bridges between people that like unalike books? Does this mean they are unalike people? They refused to read Lolita but recommended a different book about pedophilia something like all the beautiful and ugly things. Should I continue to read these books just to be aware what’s out there? The two books I’m labeling as trash are My Friends (albeit could only make myself read sixteen chapters) and the ghost writer…loved Nancy drew and chandler so have no problem with some ‘thrillers’. I know Pynchon, infinite jest and the like are classics and just not my style…so I made myself read those but I just feel like I’m feeling my head with bad stuff I don’t like.
I wouldn’t waste a moment in a book club where I couldn’t stand the books. Liberate yourself!
Ruby, I LOVE your curation because I’d never think of those literary works, and so I’m learning and perhaps getting some of the dung off my boots. Your voice is soothing and a welcome presence.
I’ve also viewed Doomberg on YouTube. The literary work he has recently inspired me to experience (in audiobook) is Ray Dalio, Principles. Oh boy, I do think Dalio must have read Marcus Aurelius! Anyway, you two siblings bring joy, however you want to take that.
Keep on truckin’…
Thank you, I'm so glad you're enjoying it!
I'm pretty sure those legacy institutions that want to spark "Joy" are actually aiming to spark something altogether different...
Pendulums swing ;)
Beautiful essay, and I believe, offering real wisdom.
Thank you!
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts about young people. Before I studied economics and became an oil and gas banker in the FSU, I was a confused kid in prep school coping with an unusual brain and the weight of my father's death. I connected with an English teacher who had the patience to show me how to perform intellectually—to put aside the dark clay in my hands and earn a unique thought. Now I'm a grandfather living in fear of the state we're in. Here's how I think about it today. The influence of that English teacher, my girlfriends, and my summer jobs cemented what I call ancestral sources of dopamine and serotonin. This set me up to sip these hormonal riches when they came from work, concentration, care, respect, and presence. Among many young people I encounter today, there is a void. I'd say their dopamine and serotonin have been hijacked to serve commercial purposes—or worse, to serve the rage engagement machine. And then there is the horror of those who turn to chemical pleasures, thereby rewiring these hormones in awful ways. I too hope you can reach young people so that they understand the gift of literature that must be earned over time. Reading is more than mechanics. There is the compound return on investment in reading that may address the moral poverty of our time. Among "yutes," attitudes are caught, not taught, so I urge parents and caregivers to demonstrate an appreciation for reading (or music, etc.) lest you turn young brains' hormones over to the machine.
Yes, well said!
I applaud your initiative and I’m grateful for the work that you put into curating worthwhile stories for my consumption. Your voice is a joy to listen to and is a fitting accompaniment to such excellent writing.
I appreciate that, Michael!
Thank you for your terrific piece this morning. My parents always reminded us that we are, on this earth, to live and “do” for the betterment of others and that our lives are not meant just for our pleasure or our own importance. You must have overheard them!
Indeed! Thank you.