Archive - Sparks from Culture by David Roberts

Rescued By My Father When I Was Sixteen

A summer night in 1978 on the Jersey Shore. This vignette about my father as a quiet hero was top of mind because in the past few weeks my father turned…

8 hrs ago •

This Is 63 : Against The Wind

This week I answered Sari Botton's excellent Oldster Magazine Questionnaire, available below. Like any superb exercise in self-discovery, her…

Jul 12 •

A New Grandchild Brings Out My Better Angels

Our third grandchild was born this week.

Jul 5 •

June 2025

Sliding Doors And My Fear Of The Butterfly Effect

I like the 1998 movie “Sliding Doors;" within the confines of a romantic comedy, it does a good job of demonstrating how small events can have an…

Jun 28 •

I Was On An Irreverent Podcast Hosted By Two Funny And Smart Upper East Side Moms

Eva Heyman and Caroline Leventhal host a podcast called Mic’d and Medicated where they unabashedly and fearlessly talk and laugh about topics from body…

Jun 25 •

My Conversation with Sachi Takahashi-Rial And Ross Barkan On The NYC Election This Tuesday And Why We Should All Pay More Attention to Local…

A recording from David Roberts's live video

Jun 22 •

,

Sachi Takahashi-Rial

, and

1:14:52

A Substack Live Tomorrow With Ross Barkan and Sachi Takahashi-Rial About The Upcoming NYC Mayoral Election And The Importance Of Local…

Sunday June 22nd at 2:00 pm EDT

Jun 21 •

I Was A Nightmare Juror

In the summer of 1986, at the age of twenty-four, I convicted two young men of felony assault against a female prostitute. I passed judgment during jury…

Jun 21 •

David Roberts and Isabel Cowles Murphy talk about children and privilege

A recording from David Roberts's live video

Jun 17 •

and

Isabel Cowles Murphy

1:03:31

My Upcoming Conversation With Isabel Cowles Murphy About Children and Privilege

Tuesday June 17th at 2 pm EDT

Jun 16 •

“Bad Is Stronger Than Good”

Status Anxiety And Loss Aversion: A Cruel Combination

Jun 14 •

Live with David Roberts and Natasha Joukovsky

Discussing Natasha's views on the connection between status anxiety and falling fertility rates.

Jun 10 •

and

a. natasha joukovsky

56:02

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