Thank you for this, Susie. I appreciate you calling out the third option of thinking and learning. I wholeheartedly agree. And thank you for the recommendation of On Tyranny. It will be in my back pocket soon. and this, "I will engage in the much-maligned and largely atrophied practices of reading and thinking in private." I was just talking to my husband last night about wanting to go deeper into practices and teachings I've only surfaced: Buddhism, meditation, kirtan, art history. I feel a deep need to learn and use my mind in new ways - a subconscious rejection of the new paradigm maybe.
And this, " You have to withdraw from the racket of polarization and gossip posing as political analysis and try to figure out what is actually happening in America." Yes. Yes. Yes. the racket of polarization and figuring out what is actually happening.
Thank you, Jocelyn. I feel the need to clarify that I didn't mean to suggest that we should all be holed up in our own individual spaces talking to ourselves. Studying together would also be wonderful.
The new Snyder isn't small and quick. He wrote the one you have in anticipation of Trump winning. It was released in Jan. 2017. He wanted to make it very readable and attractive a a wide audience. Lepore's book is a heavy lift, but worth it to get an overview of US history that I certainly didn't get and believe is much needed. Maybe take a look at it at your library. It's been our for a few years. She's a staff writer for The New Yorker.
I agree: it’s a good time to learn, especially about the fits and starts in this countries attempts to improve democracy and the counter attempts to remove it.
I read Snyder’s book in 2017, right after Trump was inaugurated. I gave a few as gifts. He has a new one out called On Freedom, which I’m going to buy. I also will finally finish Jill Lepore’s These Truth’s, a History of he US. Read on.
Is the new Snyder book pamphlet-size like the first one? And do you recommend the Lepore book? Books/magazines are my drug of choice and will, I know, help me survive this assault.
I celebrated my 86th birthday, yesterday. Your words express my feelings so well "when you are almost 80 years old and the country you grew up in has vanished without a trace. I don’t recognize the America we are living in." Everything I believed in has been upended and I have to come to grips with that somehow. To begin with I have turned off the news and am watching youtube videos of music and scenery. I too like the idea of focusing on thinking and learning.
Congratulations, Janice. I struggle with the reality of that alienation in the light of a concern about "old fogeyism." No one ever expects to feel marginalized by age. I'm considering the proposition that thinking has value in an of itself irrespective of the subject. Not sure yet...but I remember my sister up and deciding to learn calculus. Just to stay sharp, the way many people do the Times puzzles every morning.
I am doing online Spanish lessons and word games, but am also considering other options: documentaries, other religions, countries of the world I know nothing about - there really are numerous possibilities.
Unlimited options. I was frustrated by Spanish and I was good at foreign languages when I was younger. My failing memory didn’t allow me to retain the vocabulary. My guess is that was particular to me. Love the idea of studying world religions.
It could be that each of us needs to focus on a few corners of this enormous room. I think I would feel empowered by gaining some knowledge of say, the first amendment, and how we can protect it. I feel certain that you'll find your corner and start making some noise.
Thank you so much for this beautifully written and thoughtful piece Susie. It’s especially meaningful coming from you as I have been following your immersion in and (political/spiritual/emotional) responses to the election. I too seem to be drawn to thinking and learning and so I appreciate the recommendation to read On Tyranny for the satisfaction and inspiration that is available in informed analysis.
Knowing your work, this comment is especially meaningful. I must say that my feed features a lot of the "going towards the light" kind of commentary. Many people I love and admire are saying that sort of thing. But I feel strongly that it's time to knuckle down and get serious about what I need to know. Today, I read that Trump is looking for a Majority leader who will allow him to circumvent the advise and consent power of the Senate in the nomination of judges and other officials. In other words, someone who will rubber stamp anyone he wants to appoint. This should set off a very loud alarm.
Thank you for this, Susie. I appreciate you calling out the third option of thinking and learning. I wholeheartedly agree. And thank you for the recommendation of On Tyranny. It will be in my back pocket soon. and this, "I will engage in the much-maligned and largely atrophied practices of reading and thinking in private." I was just talking to my husband last night about wanting to go deeper into practices and teachings I've only surfaced: Buddhism, meditation, kirtan, art history. I feel a deep need to learn and use my mind in new ways - a subconscious rejection of the new paradigm maybe.
And this, " You have to withdraw from the racket of polarization and gossip posing as political analysis and try to figure out what is actually happening in America." Yes. Yes. Yes. the racket of polarization and figuring out what is actually happening.
Thank you again for all of this. 💜
Thank you, Jocelyn. I feel the need to clarify that I didn't mean to suggest that we should all be holed up in our own individual spaces talking to ourselves. Studying together would also be wonderful.
The new Snyder isn't small and quick. He wrote the one you have in anticipation of Trump winning. It was released in Jan. 2017. He wanted to make it very readable and attractive a a wide audience. Lepore's book is a heavy lift, but worth it to get an overview of US history that I certainly didn't get and believe is much needed. Maybe take a look at it at your library. It's been our for a few years. She's a staff writer for The New Yorker.
I agree: it’s a good time to learn, especially about the fits and starts in this countries attempts to improve democracy and the counter attempts to remove it.
I read Snyder’s book in 2017, right after Trump was inaugurated. I gave a few as gifts. He has a new one out called On Freedom, which I’m going to buy. I also will finally finish Jill Lepore’s These Truth’s, a History of he US. Read on.
Is the new Snyder book pamphlet-size like the first one? And do you recommend the Lepore book? Books/magazines are my drug of choice and will, I know, help me survive this assault.
Amen
I celebrated my 86th birthday, yesterday. Your words express my feelings so well "when you are almost 80 years old and the country you grew up in has vanished without a trace. I don’t recognize the America we are living in." Everything I believed in has been upended and I have to come to grips with that somehow. To begin with I have turned off the news and am watching youtube videos of music and scenery. I too like the idea of focusing on thinking and learning.
Congratulations, Janice. I struggle with the reality of that alienation in the light of a concern about "old fogeyism." No one ever expects to feel marginalized by age. I'm considering the proposition that thinking has value in an of itself irrespective of the subject. Not sure yet...but I remember my sister up and deciding to learn calculus. Just to stay sharp, the way many people do the Times puzzles every morning.
I am doing online Spanish lessons and word games, but am also considering other options: documentaries, other religions, countries of the world I know nothing about - there really are numerous possibilities.
Unlimited options. I was frustrated by Spanish and I was good at foreign languages when I was younger. My failing memory didn’t allow me to retain the vocabulary. My guess is that was particular to me. Love the idea of studying world religions.
I look forward to following your 'thinking' path and trust that it will enlighten my own as I struggle to grow my way out of the 'silent generation.'
It could be that each of us needs to focus on a few corners of this enormous room. I think I would feel empowered by gaining some knowledge of say, the first amendment, and how we can protect it. I feel certain that you'll find your corner and start making some noise.
Thank you so much for this beautifully written and thoughtful piece Susie. It’s especially meaningful coming from you as I have been following your immersion in and (political/spiritual/emotional) responses to the election. I too seem to be drawn to thinking and learning and so I appreciate the recommendation to read On Tyranny for the satisfaction and inspiration that is available in informed analysis.
Knowing your work, this comment is especially meaningful. I must say that my feed features a lot of the "going towards the light" kind of commentary. Many people I love and admire are saying that sort of thing. But I feel strongly that it's time to knuckle down and get serious about what I need to know. Today, I read that Trump is looking for a Majority leader who will allow him to circumvent the advise and consent power of the Senate in the nomination of judges and other officials. In other words, someone who will rubber stamp anyone he wants to appoint. This should set off a very loud alarm.
Agree. “Learning” is a path forward that I can always embrace. Thank you!