SpitGate proves we don't need gossip mags for celebrity scandal, while a college confrontation turns into (another) culture-war flashpoint. Also discussed: Publishing woes, Title IX, Queen Elizabeth
Please keep the fluff—it leavens all the substance! I would tell my "friends" about this lovely podcast but they wouldn't appreciate the lack of cant and standard takes. I need new friends.
When Nancy said to watch Bill Maher tonight, I audibly gasped thinking, Nancy is going to be on Real Time!! Then she said Matt Welch would be on. Matt is one of my favorite Real Time guests, but was so deflated that Nancy isn’t going to be on.
As I’ve told Sarah before, Ronson is one of my favorites and very much enjoyed her long Meghan’s interview with him. I’ve actually never read his books, always preferring to hear him read the audiobooks. His voice is so calming - very let’s be sensible here, people. I’m on staycation next week to do some painting and other housework, and am planning to re-listen to So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed. Love that book.
I really like some of Ronson's writings/podcasts, but have mixed feelings about others, such as Them!
My favorite is So You've Been Publicly Shamed. I think it's become more and more relevant, especially as online culture has become inescapable.
I'm a professor and regularly have grad students as TAs. Usually they're in their mid-20's. We ended up talking about cancel culture (relevant to a topic we were going to discuss). She believes that people who get cancelled usually have it happen because they deserve it. I wish she'd read Ronson's book (I mentioned it to her) - as in the case of the article you discussed, life isn't black and white, and (shocker!) you can't trust everything you see online.
I'm over superhero movies, especially Marvel, but I'm planning to watch the latest Thor movie when I can stream it. I also need to rewatch What We Do in the Shadows (both movie and TV show). I'm not sure how it comes across if I say that Taika Waititi's work is currently in my hotbox.
What were your mixed feelings about Them? I found it very eye opening and was shocked to know Ronson knew Alex Jones before he became such a right wing icon. Them is probably my second favorite of Ronson’s books because I found the stories he related so surprising.
What We Do movie is so good. The first couple seasons of the TV show are great in their own right too, but this past is starting to approach the line of tiredness. Not quite there but not as good as the first couple seasons.
It's been a few years, honestly since I first read Them! so my opinion today might be different if I reread it.
I got a lot out of the chapter about the daughter who survived Ruby Ridge, but by the end of the book I was wondering why I needed to see all this attention to these lunatics. The Alex Jones chapter was really interesting, I agree.
I dunno, maybe I know a few people like this already in my life and don't need more? But perhaps I should give it another try. I do like Ronson's voice, meaning the audiobook version.
Good to know about the recent seasons of WWDITD - thanks!
I have non-original thoughts on why college educations became required for so many job, based on my experience as a boomer. I am coming around to thinking that the boomers affected so much of what goes in our country.
1. When I turned 18 the Vietnam war was still being waged to keep Communism from toppling the dominoes in SE Asia. A 2S (student deferment) kept guys out of the clutches of the local draft board and out of useless bloody combat.
2. Requiring college diplomas (in my estimation) was a way to restrict the high numbers of applicants to job openings. There were so many boomers competing for jobs that people in my cohort were taking volunteer positions in hopes of being picked up full-time.
3. Licensing may have become another way of weeding out applicants that was useful as the boomers entered the job market.
All true, and as a person who has done some corporate recruiting / hiring more recently, if tomorrow college becomes free so everyone can go it will take about 1 year for all the jobs that currently require a 4 year degree to change to a 6 year degree requirement and the weeding continues - which was the point in the first place. There has to be some way to narrow applicants for good jobs.
Pick Me Girl sounded more sexual to my Gen X ears. Are these girls just looking for guy friends? Is anyone under 25 still hooking up?
That deep look at Olivia Wilde drama was 🔥🔥🔥 College is a halfway house. And, if you want some hot publishing goss follow xoxopublishing on IG 🫖 https://instagram.com/xoxopublishinggg
Nancy- the luggage store you referred to, is that Portland Luggage? I had an office around the corner from there, circa 2013. I can’t imagine what the area looks like now, even back 10 years ago it was in worse shape than the area closer to Pioneer Square.
My own experience with “middle school gossip”, of girls making up lies about me to get me out of their social circle, happened in my last year of high school. Couldn’t leave for college quickly enough. Speaking of, even though I had a great college experience, my husband and I both agree that going to college will be fully optional for our future kids, for the reasons you went into. Growing up it was never a question - college was what one did after graduation - but now I know that there are other (and better) possibilities to consider.
Please keep the fluff—it leavens all the substance! I would tell my "friends" about this lovely podcast but they wouldn't appreciate the lack of cant and standard takes. I need new friends.
When Nancy said to watch Bill Maher tonight, I audibly gasped thinking, Nancy is going to be on Real Time!! Then she said Matt Welch would be on. Matt is one of my favorite Real Time guests, but was so deflated that Nancy isn’t going to be on.
I, too, was sad it wasn’t Nancy but I guess Matt is fine 🙄
He did great! Fun show; drinks afterward with cast and crew in a tent on the roof as a soft rain fell and for which all Angelenos were grateful
As I’ve told Sarah before, Ronson is one of my favorites and very much enjoyed her long Meghan’s interview with him. I’ve actually never read his books, always preferring to hear him read the audiobooks. His voice is so calming - very let’s be sensible here, people. I’m on staycation next week to do some painting and other housework, and am planning to re-listen to So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed. Love that book.
Sarah - watch Thor: Raganarok. Seriously. Pure fun.
I really like some of Ronson's writings/podcasts, but have mixed feelings about others, such as Them!
My favorite is So You've Been Publicly Shamed. I think it's become more and more relevant, especially as online culture has become inescapable.
I'm a professor and regularly have grad students as TAs. Usually they're in their mid-20's. We ended up talking about cancel culture (relevant to a topic we were going to discuss). She believes that people who get cancelled usually have it happen because they deserve it. I wish she'd read Ronson's book (I mentioned it to her) - as in the case of the article you discussed, life isn't black and white, and (shocker!) you can't trust everything you see online.
I'm over superhero movies, especially Marvel, but I'm planning to watch the latest Thor movie when I can stream it. I also need to rewatch What We Do in the Shadows (both movie and TV show). I'm not sure how it comes across if I say that Taika Waititi's work is currently in my hotbox.
What were your mixed feelings about Them? I found it very eye opening and was shocked to know Ronson knew Alex Jones before he became such a right wing icon. Them is probably my second favorite of Ronson’s books because I found the stories he related so surprising.
What We Do movie is so good. The first couple seasons of the TV show are great in their own right too, but this past is starting to approach the line of tiredness. Not quite there but not as good as the first couple seasons.
It's been a few years, honestly since I first read Them! so my opinion today might be different if I reread it.
I got a lot out of the chapter about the daughter who survived Ruby Ridge, but by the end of the book I was wondering why I needed to see all this attention to these lunatics. The Alex Jones chapter was really interesting, I agree.
I dunno, maybe I know a few people like this already in my life and don't need more? But perhaps I should give it another try. I do like Ronson's voice, meaning the audiobook version.
Good to know about the recent seasons of WWDITD - thanks!
Mine too. Lol!
I have non-original thoughts on why college educations became required for so many job, based on my experience as a boomer. I am coming around to thinking that the boomers affected so much of what goes in our country.
1. When I turned 18 the Vietnam war was still being waged to keep Communism from toppling the dominoes in SE Asia. A 2S (student deferment) kept guys out of the clutches of the local draft board and out of useless bloody combat.
2. Requiring college diplomas (in my estimation) was a way to restrict the high numbers of applicants to job openings. There were so many boomers competing for jobs that people in my cohort were taking volunteer positions in hopes of being picked up full-time.
3. Licensing may have become another way of weeding out applicants that was useful as the boomers entered the job market.
Sorry. Boomers ruin everything.
All true, and as a person who has done some corporate recruiting / hiring more recently, if tomorrow college becomes free so everyone can go it will take about 1 year for all the jobs that currently require a 4 year degree to change to a 6 year degree requirement and the weeding continues - which was the point in the first place. There has to be some way to narrow applicants for good jobs.
Sorry, Gen-X hopping on the ruining train ;)
Pick Me Girl sounded more sexual to my Gen X ears. Are these girls just looking for guy friends? Is anyone under 25 still hooking up?
That deep look at Olivia Wilde drama was 🔥🔥🔥 College is a halfway house. And, if you want some hot publishing goss follow xoxopublishing on IG 🫖 https://instagram.com/xoxopublishinggg
I'm kind of annoyed that the New Yorker has already reviewed both "Don't Worry, Darling" and "Blonde" and they're not even out yet. 😡
H.R. Pufnstuf! Loved it! 😆 (Witchiepoo!!)!
I love listening to you two.
Nancy,
Would appreciate any luggage recommendations you may have. Going out of the country for the first time later this year!
Nancy- the luggage store you referred to, is that Portland Luggage? I had an office around the corner from there, circa 2013. I can’t imagine what the area looks like now, even back 10 years ago it was in worse shape than the area closer to Pioneer Square.
My own experience with “middle school gossip”, of girls making up lies about me to get me out of their social circle, happened in my last year of high school. Couldn’t leave for college quickly enough. Speaking of, even though I had a great college experience, my husband and I both agree that going to college will be fully optional for our future kids, for the reasons you went into. Growing up it was never a question - college was what one did after graduation - but now I know that there are other (and better) possibilities to consider.
Yes, Portland Luggage. Cannot embed image here but have it
Multiculturalism does not include white. It's an Orwellian term that actually means non white. And it demands a monoculture progressive point of view.