Hi David! Just my personal reaction as a reader/TV producer who gets lots of "read what's going on" email. I loved your previous title, "Let Me Challenge Your Thinking." It both invited interaction and evoked an open-mindedness right in the title that warns me that the content may make me uncomfortable AND also might make be a better person. It created a "safe space" for uncomfortable discussion (which I think is immensely important in this age of disrespectful disagreement), and the challenge is what made it unique and interesting. "Sparks from Culture" doesn't do either of those things. It has a generic, non-specificity that doesn't promise a unique or challenging point of view, nor does it invite readers to respond. I have no doubt that your pieces under your expanded and rebranded title will be great reads---you are a wonderful writer! However, I may not click through since there won't be a way to know which of those pieces will have that bold and friendly challenge to question my own assumptions of righteousness that help "keep me honest" on my journey toward being a better human being. I very much look forward to the ones that do.
Admiring the way you handle subscriptions and inspired to do similarly as my posts are always free and if someone wants to contribute, as you just indicated, I will let you and others know soon where that contribution will go to a non-profit helping others.
I think it's kinda bizarre how you've lived your whole life in NYC but never explored much outside of Manhattan. As a 25 y/o Peruvian who has never set a foot on the US but lives immersed in American culture and particularly NYC lore, I'd be very interested in your thoughts on some contemporary NYC movies and their portrayals of the elite NYC class, jewsish culture, and other boroughs.
Specifically, I have 2 directors in mind: Noah Baumbach and the Safdie brothers (well 3 if we're being rigurous bc there are two Safdies lol):
Noah Baumbach specializes in portraying the East Coast artsy elite. I recommend Marriage Story, The Squid and the Whale, White Noise, Meyerowitz Stories. I feel like you might see yourself to a degree in his movies.
the Safdie brothers only have 2 movies but they're widely regarded as the best portrayals of modern NYC chaos. I particularly recommend Uncut Gems, which is basically about ludopathy and jewish culture in NYC.
My Substack model is similar. My paid subs support scholarship opportunities to my grief support group. I am grateful you are giving back. Happy to support.
David,
I'd be pleased to read about your progress in learning and playing bridge. It may cost you subscribers, however.
Your Cousin-in-Law (if there is such a thing),
Jim
May? Definitely. Hard to dramatize even a bridge tournament unless there's cheating!
I’m glad you published that About section ... I’ve been reading for a while and it’s good to get that little deeper look into who you are.
I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts, as always.
Love the new name and looking forward to a regular Saturday “drop”!
Hi David! Just my personal reaction as a reader/TV producer who gets lots of "read what's going on" email. I loved your previous title, "Let Me Challenge Your Thinking." It both invited interaction and evoked an open-mindedness right in the title that warns me that the content may make me uncomfortable AND also might make be a better person. It created a "safe space" for uncomfortable discussion (which I think is immensely important in this age of disrespectful disagreement), and the challenge is what made it unique and interesting. "Sparks from Culture" doesn't do either of those things. It has a generic, non-specificity that doesn't promise a unique or challenging point of view, nor does it invite readers to respond. I have no doubt that your pieces under your expanded and rebranded title will be great reads---you are a wonderful writer! However, I may not click through since there won't be a way to know which of those pieces will have that bold and friendly challenge to question my own assumptions of righteousness that help "keep me honest" on my journey toward being a better human being. I very much look forward to the ones that do.
I hope I get you to click through! And I really appreciate the feedback.
I'm going to think through what you've written.
I'll take the opposite position. I think the new title better fits the material.
Saying you're going to challenge my thinking is presumptuous.
It's interesting enough to read, but I've never found it provocative at all. Of all of the writers I follow, it challenges my thinking the least.
It's easy reading, some normal recommendations and normal opinions.
And that's enough.
Hi David,
(someday this year) I'd like to interview you about donating the money you make as a bestselling writer to Robin Hood.
I've just sent you a DM (my intentions are good, don't worry).
Talk to you soon,
Kristina
Admiring the way you handle subscriptions and inspired to do similarly as my posts are always free and if someone wants to contribute, as you just indicated, I will let you and others know soon where that contribution will go to a non-profit helping others.
I've just found you today David and so far very impressed by what I've read. Keep up the good work
I’m so glad I bumped into your page. Thank you, David,
So you are giving your subscription money to "Robin Hood"
I grew up in NYC also... Lenox...Dalton, The UN School, Columbia!
Just found your Substack, and exited to follow!
I discovered this blog today and I'm fascinated.
I think it's kinda bizarre how you've lived your whole life in NYC but never explored much outside of Manhattan. As a 25 y/o Peruvian who has never set a foot on the US but lives immersed in American culture and particularly NYC lore, I'd be very interested in your thoughts on some contemporary NYC movies and their portrayals of the elite NYC class, jewsish culture, and other boroughs.
Specifically, I have 2 directors in mind: Noah Baumbach and the Safdie brothers (well 3 if we're being rigurous bc there are two Safdies lol):
Noah Baumbach specializes in portraying the East Coast artsy elite. I recommend Marriage Story, The Squid and the Whale, White Noise, Meyerowitz Stories. I feel like you might see yourself to a degree in his movies.
the Safdie brothers only have 2 movies but they're widely regarded as the best portrayals of modern NYC chaos. I particularly recommend Uncut Gems, which is basically about ludopathy and jewish culture in NYC.
Casey Neistat has also been a huge influence in my perception of NYC: https://youtu.be/kvnn_EptPiQ
greetings from Huancavelica, Perú
https://substack.com/@bbcandme/note/c-100224479
Thought of Rockefeller and you with the note above. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your "developing a conscience"...
My Substack model is similar. My paid subs support scholarship opportunities to my grief support group. I am grateful you are giving back. Happy to support.