Brilliant...I am printing this out along with your other essays so that I will have everything you have written in hard copy (I already have your books)...These captains of the internet will not deprive me of you ever...
Ha! 😂 Great song. So, maybe after The Last American Road Trip sells 50 million copies...You "reinvent" yourself as an outlaw singer songwriter.l What is your band name??? 🤠 🎸
Nice work, Sarah!! Ahhh, yes, a meaningful story, a veritable sub-stack 1984!! I fight every day to stay involved with likes of quality dissertations at your level! But after a daily drivel of musical chairs with the truth as reported, and a writer myself of stuff that is above ground, why is it so satisfying to write,
You know Sarah, employing just those four words at the Newer York Times only for a week might equal the impact all their TRUE takes on Trumpicity that have accidentally made the newstands this year!!! Thank You!!
I take solace that this comments section still contains real humans and not spams, bots, automatons, made-up strangers, AI fakes, and paid operatives… well, not yet anyway :) Now back to my morning coffee and dystopia donut… um, was told it would taste good, but turns out it’s less filling… way less.
I love the comments section. I’m not quite sure how it’s managed to survive as a thoughtful and troll-free place, since I leave it open to anyone and charge nothing. This should have created a disaster but instead there’s a nice little community! Maybe everyone’s behaving like it’s 1997 in the comments because the newsletter could’ve been made in 1997 (or 1897 lol)
I am ‘anybody’ who breezed in from the recommendation in Substack Reads. You are the track I followed to see your info re why "the world ended." Wow. What a good piece you wrote that's a graphic example of how catastrophic things could get. I have been so impressed of late with Substacks about it being too late for humanity -- not alarmist, but scientific with a consciousness bent. So, Now What?, which is the title of my Substack?
First of all, stay open. Humanity is astonishing. Here are recent relevant posts of mine.
I often wish the skilled hackers of the world would break into these social media platforms that prioritize their negative engagement through an algorithm. Make it so it the important, less outrage-filled content gets through better. And they should do so and see how long it takes these platforms to notice. If the hackers do it right, the affected algorithm would hopefully push as much positive content as the old negative one, and the platforms leave it the way it is.
Where, oh WHERE is this perfect internet I long for so badly??
It's wild that so many of us want the same logical things -- to follow the people we choose, to see posts in chronological order -- and cannot get them, and no one builds an alternative platform designed this way even though it would likely be profitable: people would actually pay for this experience now.
Honestly, if Twitter would truly let you modify what you want to see when you want to see it (without forcing me to live in an echo chamber/bubble, I would have a hard time weighing out the experience vs giving Musk $8.
I'm talking about NOT seeing blue checkers first in the replies. If prefer a chronological based system. If I were to pay, I should be able to minimize my engagement with others who have paid, too.
We're both from the Midwest, so I (and it sounds like you too) am always open to listening to people I generally disagree with. I wouldn't want to cut that out entirely. Ever.
But, if the algorithm can recommend rage, it should be able to prioritize positive content, or at least from good faith sources.
“People who could improvise in a way machines never could. People who kept the world together as technology tore it apart”.
Hurrah for the people and the pigeons , we will survive this madness, well some of us will. Thanks Sarah, another thought provoking , emotion raising bitter pill of truth delivered in a digestible way. You are such a brilliant writer, a John Steinbeck for these times.
It was that same extraordinary line that got to me as well. And now those machines are performing surgeries, which makes me worry about the issue of trust. Sigh,
Sarah: I have read your three books (are there more?) and the staff at Left Bank Books (you must know that wondrous bookstore!) are keeping me on their list for all your new works. Perhaps the best use of the internet is the dissemination of writing such as yours. I never leave your newsletters without being challenged to look deeper or farther into our society.
Thank you very much! And yes Left Bank Books is fantastic. They are a great store and they've been a lifeline for me, especially during the pandemic when I couldn't tour and they were the sole source for signed copies. The staff there is terrific.
Back when I was in grade 12 (and dinosaurs ruled the world!) I took, as an elective, an intro to economics course. At that time, the Canadian Bank Act said, in part, that it was not allowed for a business to refuse payment with legal tender as long as; 1) you were not offering payment with more than 25 pennies, or, 2) more than $5 in silver (silver had actually been phased out by then, but Canadian dimes and quarters were still in circulation containing silver - they all disappeared with the silver rush in 1980 when the Hunt brothers tried to manipulate the market). I do not know if the language has changed, but I know of multiple businesses that now have signs that say "credit or debit only". I often wonder if they are violating the language of the current Bank Act.
My friend in Parumph was into Urantia. She did a lot of the writing, editing and book design/jacket design for that org. A real life's work for her. Guess it fits, though she chose Parumph over Amsterdam in which to retire. Dunno.
I am continually shocked by how complicit people, are. I can't tell you how many people I know insist on only texting, and won't speak on the phone. The pressure to comply with them, or have no friendships at all, is enormous.
You've done it again. Right at the top of your essay, you made me laugh AND cringe (for you) with:
"I live under a double bill of apprehension: They'll catch me too early, and you'll catch on too late.
It was a countdown summer, so I headed to Houdini Town to dream my death threats away."
You also nailed it with: "They ruined every good innovation of my life. They encouraged us to destroy the analog world, and after we did, they replaced it with bullshit and lies." [We still support our local newspapers.]
I love your writing in this Substack. Thank you. I will be moving back to MO next year and hope to see/hear you at a book signing or lecture. You are a national treasure that too few folks know about.
I would invest in carrier pigeons just to read your words.
Thank you, I am in favor of this plan!
Paid in seed and corn!!
Honestly, we should probably start working on this. Calling all pigeon people...
“The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men* do.”
-B.F. Skinner.
*Update: people
Brilliant...I am printing this out along with your other essays so that I will have everything you have written in hard copy (I already have your books)...These captains of the internet will not deprive me of you ever...
Thank you, I appreciate it!
“They’ll catch me too early, and you’ll catch on too late.”
That’s the cryingest shame of it all.
The words of the prophets. Too often heard too late.
Well at least I won’t die with my head in the sand. I’ve got that going for me
I'll admit, I wrote that line before I wrote the piece. I'm a 1970s outlaw country songwriter who somehow landed in 2020s nonfiction...
Never too late to convert to 2020’s outlaw country songwriter! Do it! I guarantee you’ll sell at least one record 🙋♂️
This explains so much
You should have been in the Highwaymen. 🖤
I'll go track down the long-lost Bobbie Gentry and we'll start the Highwaywomen
That would actually be fucking awesome. We could probably get Willie to cameo if we hurry.
Oh no, it's down to Willie alone now! He is pretty amazing but who does he hang with now? I don't want some assholes scooping him up.💓
I like to think that there's a bit of 70's outlaw country songwriter in all of us...
I’m lonesome, on’ry and nicer than I seem…shhh…🤫
Ha! 😂 Great song. So, maybe after The Last American Road Trip sells 50 million copies...You "reinvent" yourself as an outlaw singer songwriter.l What is your band name??? 🤠 🎸
“They’ll catch me too early, and you’ll catch on too late.” Yep, I zeroed in on that one, too, Chris.
Nice work, Sarah!! Ahhh, yes, a meaningful story, a veritable sub-stack 1984!! I fight every day to stay involved with likes of quality dissertations at your level! But after a daily drivel of musical chairs with the truth as reported, and a writer myself of stuff that is above ground, why is it so satisfying to write,
"J.e.D. vance is a WANKER!!!
Because he is one!
You know Sarah, employing just those four words at the Newer York Times only for a week might equal the impact all their TRUE takes on Trumpicity that have accidentally made the newstands this year!!! Thank You!!
😂
I take solace that this comments section still contains real humans and not spams, bots, automatons, made-up strangers, AI fakes, and paid operatives… well, not yet anyway :) Now back to my morning coffee and dystopia donut… um, was told it would taste good, but turns out it’s less filling… way less.
I love the comments section. I’m not quite sure how it’s managed to survive as a thoughtful and troll-free place, since I leave it open to anyone and charge nothing. This should have created a disaster but instead there’s a nice little community! Maybe everyone’s behaving like it’s 1997 in the comments because the newsletter could’ve been made in 1997 (or 1897 lol)
I am ‘anybody’ who breezed in from the recommendation in Substack Reads. You are the track I followed to see your info re why "the world ended." Wow. What a good piece you wrote that's a graphic example of how catastrophic things could get. I have been so impressed of late with Substacks about it being too late for humanity -- not alarmist, but scientific with a consciousness bent. So, Now What?, which is the title of my Substack?
First of all, stay open. Humanity is astonishing. Here are recent relevant posts of mine.
Nudging for changeful thinking. More ideas for things to do: https://suzannetaylor.substack.com/p/nudging-for-changeful-thinking
We need to deal with a spiritual crisis. What’s even more fundamental than concern with societies collapsing is humanity finally growing into adulthood: https://suzannetaylor.substack.com/p/we-need-to-deal-with-a-spiritual
Amen!
Thank You. I feel seen.
I’m printing this one.
Luddites understand.
Thank you!
A fascinating perspective that you have. Very creative. I often get the zombie effect but not on your pages.
Thanks! I'm hoping to make algorithms break and AI explode in frustration
Oh, PLEASE find a way to do this. I'll be there to photograph every second of the explosion.
I often wish the skilled hackers of the world would break into these social media platforms that prioritize their negative engagement through an algorithm. Make it so it the important, less outrage-filled content gets through better. And they should do so and see how long it takes these platforms to notice. If the hackers do it right, the affected algorithm would hopefully push as much positive content as the old negative one, and the platforms leave it the way it is.
Where, oh WHERE is this perfect internet I long for so badly??
It's wild that so many of us want the same logical things -- to follow the people we choose, to see posts in chronological order -- and cannot get them, and no one builds an alternative platform designed this way even though it would likely be profitable: people would actually pay for this experience now.
Honestly, if Twitter would truly let you modify what you want to see when you want to see it (without forcing me to live in an echo chamber/bubble, I would have a hard time weighing out the experience vs giving Musk $8.
I'm talking about NOT seeing blue checkers first in the replies. If prefer a chronological based system. If I were to pay, I should be able to minimize my engagement with others who have paid, too.
We're both from the Midwest, so I (and it sounds like you too) am always open to listening to people I generally disagree with. I wouldn't want to cut that out entirely. Ever.
But, if the algorithm can recommend rage, it should be able to prioritize positive content, or at least from good faith sources.
Fascinating is the right word!!:)
“People who could improvise in a way machines never could. People who kept the world together as technology tore it apart”.
Hurrah for the people and the pigeons , we will survive this madness, well some of us will. Thanks Sarah, another thought provoking , emotion raising bitter pill of truth delivered in a digestible way. You are such a brilliant writer, a John Steinbeck for these times.
It was that same extraordinary line that got to me as well. And now those machines are performing surgeries, which makes me worry about the issue of trust. Sigh,
Thank you!
Sarah: I have read your three books (are there more?) and the staff at Left Bank Books (you must know that wondrous bookstore!) are keeping me on their list for all your new works. Perhaps the best use of the internet is the dissemination of writing such as yours. I never leave your newsletters without being challenged to look deeper or farther into our society.
Thank you very much! And yes Left Bank Books is fantastic. They are a great store and they've been a lifeline for me, especially during the pandemic when I couldn't tour and they were the sole source for signed copies. The staff there is terrific.
Back when I was in grade 12 (and dinosaurs ruled the world!) I took, as an elective, an intro to economics course. At that time, the Canadian Bank Act said, in part, that it was not allowed for a business to refuse payment with legal tender as long as; 1) you were not offering payment with more than 25 pennies, or, 2) more than $5 in silver (silver had actually been phased out by then, but Canadian dimes and quarters were still in circulation containing silver - they all disappeared with the silver rush in 1980 when the Hunt brothers tried to manipulate the market). I do not know if the language has changed, but I know of multiple businesses that now have signs that say "credit or debit only". I often wonder if they are violating the language of the current Bank Act.
Art Bell! 🥹🙏🏼🫶
I went to his memorial park! https://sarahkendzior.substack.com/p/i-walked-the-lake-in-death-valley
Sarah, I just LOVE your writing.
Thanks!
I always wondered why an old friend of mine moved to Pahrump, of all places.
My friend in Parumph was into Urantia. She did a lot of the writing, editing and book design/jacket design for that org. A real life's work for her. Guess it fits, though she chose Parumph over Amsterdam in which to retire. Dunno.
https://www.urantia.org/
love it 🙏🏼💙🧂✨
Beautifully written. And very melancholic.
Thanks!
I am continually shocked by how complicit people, are. I can't tell you how many people I know insist on only texting, and won't speak on the phone. The pressure to comply with them, or have no friendships at all, is enormous.
You've done it again. Right at the top of your essay, you made me laugh AND cringe (for you) with:
"I live under a double bill of apprehension: They'll catch me too early, and you'll catch on too late.
It was a countdown summer, so I headed to Houdini Town to dream my death threats away."
You also nailed it with: "They ruined every good innovation of my life. They encouraged us to destroy the analog world, and after we did, they replaced it with bullshit and lies." [We still support our local newspapers.]
Thank you again.
Thanks for reading!
I love your writing in this Substack. Thank you. I will be moving back to MO next year and hope to see/hear you at a book signing or lecture. You are a national treasure that too few folks know about.
Thanks!