The entire part about writing as your true self was so inspiring. This is the second time I'm reading the same message. The last Substack I read (just a few minutes ago) said the same thing. Is that a sign from the cosmos? 😆
This part: "Here’s the modern version of the same scam: New Age practices get dismissed as woo-woo nonsense, crystals for gullible hippies, astrology for people who can’t think critically." versus religious institutions and what they teach...yes! Thank you!
My sister-in-law is a devout Catholic. And she gets so excited telling stories about how Saints performed these miracle healings. Meanwhile, I try to tell her about Dr. Joe Dispenza's work and how he has intense meditation workshops where people are cured of all kinds of horrible diseases and she just looks at me like I have two heads. Hello?! It's the same thing!!
People are cured because they have a belief that they can be cured, no matter who or what the catalyst is.
I am not religious, but as you said, religion can be good or bad depending on how you use it. I see way too many people out there who could use some religion to fill that spiritual gap that's missing in their lives. They're usually out in the streets protesting something.
1. I think the one big lesson I'm taking into 2026 is you just gotta be you. That's the surest way to find some success in the world that doesn't make you want to gouge your eyes out eventually.
2. It never fails to amaze me how people will accept one intangible mythology as real and another intangible mythology as fake. Like, what if they're all real? What then, hotshot?
3. Wheels turning is where it's at, btw. Always keep those turnin'.
Flashback to sitting in my bedroom with my silver boombox, maxell tapes at the ready, listening incessantly to WHTT (Boston), praying for the DJ to shut up at the beginnings of the songs I wanted... needed. Thanks for this!
Also, feeling less like a hoarder with my wall-sized bookshelf now. And you know how I feel about the typewriter plan!
Yeahhh... they give us The Jetsons, we suddenly yearn for Little House on the Prairie. Makes sense, in a weird way.
The nostalgia dripping off this is giving me life!! I’m sad for kids these days… that they’ll never know the magic of a mixtape. Having to work that hard to steal our music gave us a resilience that generations after us don’t have. Thanks for this stroll down memory lane… AND for sharing my unhinged manifesto on slutty content. I’m sending you the hardest hot dog clink your way!! 🌭🥳
Just longing for the good ole days, as they were. You're welcome for both the scroll and the share. I've been enjoying your writing. It's always a fun read.
You took me through the childhood again. I could clearly remember 'fast-forwarding' the tape with a pen (pencil also worked), because my Walkman didn't have the FF feature.
I remembered recording songs on tape from the radio (and raging that the fucking DJ kept talking over THAT song).
The part about Japan was very interesting. Loved it, because I really want to visit it someday.
The shift to church/religion caught me a little off-guard. Out of place.
But everything is really well-put-together. Thank you. It was an awesome ride back.
Appreciate the feedback, and thanks for reading. Glad you liked it.
The thing about the subject changes is I'm going for a vibe more like an old school zine instead of just a newsletter. Sometimes the subjects will all have theme across the issue, sometimes random. Just depends on what I'm feeling that week.
I think for me, making a mixtape was like participating in the process. You weren't just a consumer. You were an active participant. It had a different feel.
Woah, you've got all my wheels turning!
The entire part about writing as your true self was so inspiring. This is the second time I'm reading the same message. The last Substack I read (just a few minutes ago) said the same thing. Is that a sign from the cosmos? 😆
This part: "Here’s the modern version of the same scam: New Age practices get dismissed as woo-woo nonsense, crystals for gullible hippies, astrology for people who can’t think critically." versus religious institutions and what they teach...yes! Thank you!
My sister-in-law is a devout Catholic. And she gets so excited telling stories about how Saints performed these miracle healings. Meanwhile, I try to tell her about Dr. Joe Dispenza's work and how he has intense meditation workshops where people are cured of all kinds of horrible diseases and she just looks at me like I have two heads. Hello?! It's the same thing!!
People are cured because they have a belief that they can be cured, no matter who or what the catalyst is.
I am not religious, but as you said, religion can be good or bad depending on how you use it. I see way too many people out there who could use some religion to fill that spiritual gap that's missing in their lives. They're usually out in the streets protesting something.
1. I think the one big lesson I'm taking into 2026 is you just gotta be you. That's the surest way to find some success in the world that doesn't make you want to gouge your eyes out eventually.
2. It never fails to amaze me how people will accept one intangible mythology as real and another intangible mythology as fake. Like, what if they're all real? What then, hotshot?
3. Wheels turning is where it's at, btw. Always keep those turnin'.
Brilliant. This connects so well with your earlier thoughts on digital identity. Truely, we are holding the map, and it's ours to take back.
I appreciate that, and we're definitely holding the map even if we have trouble reading it and following occasionally.
Flashback to sitting in my bedroom with my silver boombox, maxell tapes at the ready, listening incessantly to WHTT (Boston), praying for the DJ to shut up at the beginnings of the songs I wanted... needed. Thanks for this!
Also, feeling less like a hoarder with my wall-sized bookshelf now. And you know how I feel about the typewriter plan!
Yeahhh... they give us The Jetsons, we suddenly yearn for Little House on the Prairie. Makes sense, in a weird way.
You're always welcome, and glad you enjoyed it.
Don't feel like a hoarder. By the time I move one, I plan on having an analog history stash for my grandkids to be like, "How do you use this?"
What a wonderful, engaging read, which hits the nail squarely on the head!
Much appreciated, my friend.
The nostalgia dripping off this is giving me life!! I’m sad for kids these days… that they’ll never know the magic of a mixtape. Having to work that hard to steal our music gave us a resilience that generations after us don’t have. Thanks for this stroll down memory lane… AND for sharing my unhinged manifesto on slutty content. I’m sending you the hardest hot dog clink your way!! 🌭🥳
Just longing for the good ole days, as they were. You're welcome for both the scroll and the share. I've been enjoying your writing. It's always a fun read.
You took me through the childhood again. I could clearly remember 'fast-forwarding' the tape with a pen (pencil also worked), because my Walkman didn't have the FF feature.
I remembered recording songs on tape from the radio (and raging that the fucking DJ kept talking over THAT song).
The part about Japan was very interesting. Loved it, because I really want to visit it someday.
The shift to church/religion caught me a little off-guard. Out of place.
But everything is really well-put-together. Thank you. It was an awesome ride back.
Appreciate the feedback, and thanks for reading. Glad you liked it.
The thing about the subject changes is I'm going for a vibe more like an old school zine instead of just a newsletter. Sometimes the subjects will all have theme across the issue, sometimes random. Just depends on what I'm feeling that week.
I think for me, making a mixtape was like participating in the process. You weren't just a consumer. You were an active participant. It had a different feel.