“We took an object that was not in motion and gave it permission to remain motionless” isn’t that much of an accomplishment. Thanks, Garrett! This, 100%.
Great post, Garrett. I especially liked the ending...."And when I read headlines about a very-pleased-with-himself guy who cares more about his career than he loves his fellow human beings, I’m not mad. You’re not the first, nor will you be the last to pull that con. What a waste. For the world, for sure, but for you as well. What a small, uninspiring, dull approach towards life."
One thing I observed growing up in the white evangelical world was that the "great men" celebrated by evangelical culture are all such small and petty and uninspiring guys. Great showmen, sure, but such small people.
I also liked point #6: "Even if you don’t win every battle, you do win the broader war (that is, you succeed in maintaining existing societal hierarchies) because, well, that’s the nature of hierarchies. They take more effort to disrupt than to maintain. That’s why I’m not necessarily all that impressed by your victories, by the way. “We took an object that was not in motion and gave it permission to remain motionless” isn’t that much of an accomplishment."
So true!!
I also loved David Roberts Twitter thread on the same subject and I see he liked this too.
You have my empathy on the illness front. I've been coughing/COVIDing/getting colds since Nov. 1st. I feel like my immunity system is finally sort of climbing out of the trench. But I'm about to go hang out with an 18-month old grandson, which is like heading into a new hurricane of viruses. But hey, the little guy is worth it!~
I think about all the current films and shows in which the main plot points revolve around ridiculing others, whether it is by committing violence on persons/property, stereotyping or exterminating cultures/religion, or exploitative portrayals of crime/addiction/despair. I can no longer watch any of it, can't take it with a grain of salt, can't laugh, even when it is "comic book violence" or "cartoonish." Perhaps this steady diet of entertainment by ridicule/violence/extermination has helped to normalize Total Butthead Nasty Previously Unspeakable Behavior. This dude is just monetizing and feeding his sense of self-importance better than most.
A lot of people believe amassing power through whatever craven means is the point of life. Unfortunately American culture v much supports this narrative :(
Thx for this piece, it was a balm to all the garbage “reporting” on this. I teach Uni journalism and it’s a case study in the far right injecting their narrative right into the mainstream headlines w hardly any friction.
“We took an object that was not in motion and gave it permission to remain motionless” isn’t that much of an accomplishment. Thanks, Garrett! This, 100%.
Appreciate it!
Great post, Garrett. I especially liked the ending...."And when I read headlines about a very-pleased-with-himself guy who cares more about his career than he loves his fellow human beings, I’m not mad. You’re not the first, nor will you be the last to pull that con. What a waste. For the world, for sure, but for you as well. What a small, uninspiring, dull approach towards life."
One thing I observed growing up in the white evangelical world was that the "great men" celebrated by evangelical culture are all such small and petty and uninspiring guys. Great showmen, sure, but such small people.
I also liked point #6: "Even if you don’t win every battle, you do win the broader war (that is, you succeed in maintaining existing societal hierarchies) because, well, that’s the nature of hierarchies. They take more effort to disrupt than to maintain. That’s why I’m not necessarily all that impressed by your victories, by the way. “We took an object that was not in motion and gave it permission to remain motionless” isn’t that much of an accomplishment."
So true!!
I also loved David Roberts Twitter thread on the same subject and I see he liked this too.
You have my empathy on the illness front. I've been coughing/COVIDing/getting colds since Nov. 1st. I feel like my immunity system is finally sort of climbing out of the trench. But I'm about to go hang out with an 18-month old grandson, which is like heading into a new hurricane of viruses. But hey, the little guy is worth it!~
Rest up! I appreciate you!
Appreciate all this, and so glad that you got some time with your grandson (in all of his adorableness and disease vector-ness alike).
Great post. Exactly the right tone. And I hope you feel better soon!
Thanks so much on both counts!
I think about all the current films and shows in which the main plot points revolve around ridiculing others, whether it is by committing violence on persons/property, stereotyping or exterminating cultures/religion, or exploitative portrayals of crime/addiction/despair. I can no longer watch any of it, can't take it with a grain of salt, can't laugh, even when it is "comic book violence" or "cartoonish." Perhaps this steady diet of entertainment by ridicule/violence/extermination has helped to normalize Total Butthead Nasty Previously Unspeakable Behavior. This dude is just monetizing and feeding his sense of self-importance better than most.
Agreed that it's so important to notice (and work to not give oxygen to) all of the messages we receive that cruelty is entertaining.
Feel better, Garrett! Thanks for your wise and funny words, as usual. But also don’t forget that rest is radical.
Took the rest of the day off! Thanks for the reminder, Jess!
Glad to hear it!
Brilliant.
thanks Ted!
Feel better soon pal!
Appreciate you, Lee! I'm tryin'!
This is what I needed today. Thank you! What a waste for humanity indeed.
Of all the ways to spend a wild and precious life...
A lot of people believe amassing power through whatever craven means is the point of life. Unfortunately American culture v much supports this narrative :(
Thx for this piece, it was a balm to all the garbage “reporting” on this. I teach Uni journalism and it’s a case study in the far right injecting their narrative right into the mainstream headlines w hardly any friction.
An absolute "Lucy pulling the football away from more time from Charlie Brown" moment for so many mainstream publications, for sure.
Rest, and be well Garrett!
Thank you Mary!