What an absolute privilege! I just listened to the whole episode and I'm proud to say I only came off as 72% condescending asshole, which means I beat expectations!
In all seriousness, I really hope people take the time to listen. And please leave comments if you'd like to delve deeper on any specific topics.
It flows well, right? Maybe we're not as dumb as Old Man Jenson said we were after all ... and also in all seriousness, I hope there will be some flourishing dialogue down in these comments. Who knows, maybe we'll make a new friend.
Oct 6, 2023Liked by Samuél Lopez-Barrantes, Amran Gowani
Obviously, I enjoyed listening to you two talk for an hour.
Makes me excited for the invention of teleportation, which would allow us to convene IRL over wine and tapas for 3-4 hours on any given day. For now, I'll just wait for Samuel to visit his friends in New England and for Amran's book tour stop in Boston. If those two events occur at the same time, all the better.
I enjoyed the write up portion of this post as well. I'm drafting my one-year anniversary post now and thinking a lot about the connections I've made and how crucial they've been to my growth, as a writer and a person. I'm going back and forth about whether or not to publicly "name names" in that post, but I assume you both know how much your support and engagement has meant to me this year.
I love this project, Samuel, and feel so honored to have been a part of it. Amran, I gush about you too much as it is. So, fuck off. 😏And thank you. 💜
Definitely name names. We all want to be on some sort of list. It's been a treat realizing there are genuine connections all over the world. Thanks for being here my friend.
Oct 6, 2023·edited Oct 6, 2023Liked by Amran Gowani, Samuél Lopez-Barrantes
Ok well now I'm remembering that we had a zoom call together and I gave no thought whatsoever to the fact that it might be published in your newsletter lol. Please tell me our discussion was on the level of Amran and Meg?????
Oct 8, 2023Liked by Amran Gowani, Samuél Lopez-Barrantes
There are real hits here about cycles of dysfunction (micro) and civic principles (macro). I relate far too closely with feeling the family stone tied to your legs, mid-river, during a hurricane. Great conversation.
Thanks for the kind words good sir. I've got your book on my bookshelf thanks to Amran's wise suggestion.
It's a constant challenge to balance the more micro-level challenges of life whilst also trying to keep them framed in a macro concept. One of the great challenges for me is the sheer awareness of how many diverse challenges there are ... the tyranny of choice that can accompany that makes it feel like there's nothing to be done (nihilism), which in turn leaves me feeling guilty for not doing enough (a gross form of egotism), and then I gotta figure out how to get out of that solipsistic loop and pursue some actionable goal, only to start the cycle again. The Neverending Story indeed
Oct 21, 2023Liked by Samuél Lopez-Barrantes, Amran Gowani
Kept meaning to listen, but: life. So I listened in like 10 minute segments and I really enjoyed getting to hear you actually voice some of what I’ve been reading in your newsletter and on Notes. (I don’t find you condescending in the least, BTW. You’re a straight shooter who has a healthy blend of confidence and humility, and I admire people like that the most).
All that said, I very much agree with your take on Substack not getting involved in content curation if they are not going to otherwise moderate problematic content. You said it well. Just don’t weigh in, either way. I never open the posts Substack recommends, because I immediately resent being told what I should like. (I also honestly can’t take another white woman’s post on slow living. Why do we need so many of those? I subscribe to one or two, maybe because I am a white woman and I need to slow my roll. But there are SO MANY).
Funny - just as you said that Substack recommendations feel like them putting their thumb on the scale, I was stepping on the scale in my bathroom. Coincidence? Yes...yes it was. But I laughed just the same 🤭.
Hey Amy! Thanks for listening! It's a little surreal to think people willingly spent an hour listening to me, which is just super cool and flattering.
This interview was such a blast. I've always been a fast and frank talker, and I'm actually planning to launch a new podcast with an awesome co-creator shortly. More of my hot takes coming soon!
Also, funny about the scale. I love how the universe sends us little signs.
What an absolute privilege! I just listened to the whole episode and I'm proud to say I only came off as 72% condescending asshole, which means I beat expectations!
In all seriousness, I really hope people take the time to listen. And please leave comments if you'd like to delve deeper on any specific topics.
It flows well, right? Maybe we're not as dumb as Old Man Jenson said we were after all ... and also in all seriousness, I hope there will be some flourishing dialogue down in these comments. Who knows, maybe we'll make a new friend.
Yes! Look people, if you actually listened to my ranting, you'll know I'm good for a witty riposte. Let's keep the discussion going.
Great stuff! You make me laugh every time.
That's about as good of a compliment as I can ask for. Looking forward to sharing our conversation in a few weeks time. It was a real treat.
Very excited about that discussion!
I've been meaning to check out Sam's work. Doing so now.
Oh it's a treasure trove. I recommend this one. Along with so many others:
https://castaliajournal.substack.com/p/for-and-against-the-short-story
Thanks, Sam! Though I presume you're referring to Samuel. I tend to make people angry...or sad.
There's no spectrum with your effect on people. It's either HATRED or LURV.
Yay!! Got a long drive ahead today and will be listening.
Fun! Just make sure not to let my insanity distract you from the road. My conscience is guilty enough.
Obviously, I enjoyed listening to you two talk for an hour.
Makes me excited for the invention of teleportation, which would allow us to convene IRL over wine and tapas for 3-4 hours on any given day. For now, I'll just wait for Samuel to visit his friends in New England and for Amran's book tour stop in Boston. If those two events occur at the same time, all the better.
I enjoyed the write up portion of this post as well. I'm drafting my one-year anniversary post now and thinking a lot about the connections I've made and how crucial they've been to my growth, as a writer and a person. I'm going back and forth about whether or not to publicly "name names" in that post, but I assume you both know how much your support and engagement has meant to me this year.
I love this project, Samuel, and feel so honored to have been a part of it. Amran, I gush about you too much as it is. So, fuck off. 😏And thank you. 💜
Telling me to fuck off is always the right answer.
Also, name names! Everyone likes to hear nice things about themselves.
As long as you know the "fuck off" comes from a profound and respectful place. And I don't dole them out to just anyone.
Definitely name names. We all want to be on some sort of list. It's been a treat realizing there are genuine connections all over the world. Thanks for being here my friend.
Ok well now I'm remembering that we had a zoom call together and I gave no thought whatsoever to the fact that it might be published in your newsletter lol. Please tell me our discussion was on the level of Amran and Meg?????
Oh you better believe it.
Sweet!
There are real hits here about cycles of dysfunction (micro) and civic principles (macro). I relate far too closely with feeling the family stone tied to your legs, mid-river, during a hurricane. Great conversation.
Awesome to hear the discussion was meaningful! And keep slogging through the muck. It's the only sane path.
Thanks for the kind words good sir. I've got your book on my bookshelf thanks to Amran's wise suggestion.
It's a constant challenge to balance the more micro-level challenges of life whilst also trying to keep them framed in a macro concept. One of the great challenges for me is the sheer awareness of how many diverse challenges there are ... the tyranny of choice that can accompany that makes it feel like there's nothing to be done (nihilism), which in turn leaves me feeling guilty for not doing enough (a gross form of egotism), and then I gotta figure out how to get out of that solipsistic loop and pursue some actionable goal, only to start the cycle again. The Neverending Story indeed
Kept meaning to listen, but: life. So I listened in like 10 minute segments and I really enjoyed getting to hear you actually voice some of what I’ve been reading in your newsletter and on Notes. (I don’t find you condescending in the least, BTW. You’re a straight shooter who has a healthy blend of confidence and humility, and I admire people like that the most).
All that said, I very much agree with your take on Substack not getting involved in content curation if they are not going to otherwise moderate problematic content. You said it well. Just don’t weigh in, either way. I never open the posts Substack recommends, because I immediately resent being told what I should like. (I also honestly can’t take another white woman’s post on slow living. Why do we need so many of those? I subscribe to one or two, maybe because I am a white woman and I need to slow my roll. But there are SO MANY).
Funny - just as you said that Substack recommendations feel like them putting their thumb on the scale, I was stepping on the scale in my bathroom. Coincidence? Yes...yes it was. But I laughed just the same 🤭.
Nice conversation here. I’m glad I listened.
Hey Amy! Thanks for listening! It's a little surreal to think people willingly spent an hour listening to me, which is just super cool and flattering.
This interview was such a blast. I've always been a fast and frank talker, and I'm actually planning to launch a new podcast with an awesome co-creator shortly. More of my hot takes coming soon!
Also, funny about the scale. I love how the universe sends us little signs.
Ooh, thanks for the teaser on the pod 🤓