Thank you for taking one for the team and spending the day out there! I especially appreciated your observation about how soulless the non-Trump players are while the Trump folks act reasonably human. That will be our downfall, for sure. I cackled when I read the instances where people connected with you - but also started thinking, if you weren't as deeply involved as you are, would their overtures have seemed attractive to you? As in, the guy who pegged you as a Marxist - would you in another universe, struck up a conversation with him because of the shared reference? Would you have hung out with the guy who recognized the Jawbox t-shirt,and made some common ground? I'm inching toward something I can't quite articulate (because my brain is exhausted) about how those moments of being "seen" can easily suck people in . . . (which relates in some ways to the conspiracy theory conversation yesterday).
This is the first time I've read a substack and thought, "If this guy pitched me a subscription I'd probably pay for more content like this." Basically, I wish to live vicariously through you as you endure #politics in the year of our Lord 2023-2024.
Thank you for finding a way to acknowledge the dehumanizing absurdism of this ridiculous process while somehow still celebrating the fleeting joy of human connection. I felt just the tiniest bit of hope after reading this. And that’s kind of extraordinary. Well done.
Fear and boredom at the Hyatt Regency
Garrett, I know it's not your Main Thing, but your take on democracy is my favorite. This was so excellent. More please.
“Low lifes not finishing a high life.” !!!
Enjoyed this piece.
Thank you for taking one for the team and spending the day out there! I especially appreciated your observation about how soulless the non-Trump players are while the Trump folks act reasonably human. That will be our downfall, for sure. I cackled when I read the instances where people connected with you - but also started thinking, if you weren't as deeply involved as you are, would their overtures have seemed attractive to you? As in, the guy who pegged you as a Marxist - would you in another universe, struck up a conversation with him because of the shared reference? Would you have hung out with the guy who recognized the Jawbox t-shirt,and made some common ground? I'm inching toward something I can't quite articulate (because my brain is exhausted) about how those moments of being "seen" can easily suck people in . . . (which relates in some ways to the conspiracy theory conversation yesterday).
Dare we hope that there will be a follow-up to this piece when the convention comes to town?
I love this, everything about this. Poor lil Highlife. Garrett it's "Street Survivors" not "Soul Survivors" FYI
This is the first time I've read a substack and thought, "If this guy pitched me a subscription I'd probably pay for more content like this." Basically, I wish to live vicariously through you as you endure #politics in the year of our Lord 2023-2024.
Thank you for finding a way to acknowledge the dehumanizing absurdism of this ridiculous process while somehow still celebrating the fleeting joy of human connection. I felt just the tiniest bit of hope after reading this. And that’s kind of extraordinary. Well done.
OMG this was just the dose of levity I needed. Absolutely genius.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable post. Thank you!
Great insights all the way through. Thanks for helping me understand my own thoughts. ❤️
Fun post thank you!
I was directed here from Wonkette and really glad I stuck around to read the piece. Thank you for that report!