This was exactly what I needed to read this morning, not because it's aimed at me but because I am so heartsick and frustrated reading these incredibly un-empathetic, small-minded internet "takes" on gender, whether it's against women or trans folks or "beta cuck" men. Like, go plant a garden. Bring some cookies to your neighbor. Stop using other people as your punching bag. Thank you for your graceful example, Garrett.
Been thinking about this topic for awhile, and what kind of life we’re setting our young men (and women for)…excited to add some of this thinking to the essay I’m writing in my head 😅. Have you seen what Josh Gondelman recently wrote for Playboy about loving his wife? I was like, YES this is the kind of content we need more of to just…affirm how lovely a partnership of equals can be.
I think Josh is such a great example of a dude walking through the world with delight and joy and gentleness (and also, even if I didn't share his world view, I can't imagine I still wouldn't find him 10 times funnier than any of those dudes on Kill Tony). I haven't read this essay yet, though! Can't wait!
I think maybe the biggest problem is that there’s no Big Podcast or protein powder money in saying, “You’ll be happier if you just treat everyone in your life like a human being who matters.”
This was exactly what I needed to read this morning, not because it's aimed at me but because I am so heartsick and frustrated reading these incredibly un-empathetic, small-minded internet "takes" on gender, whether it's against women or trans folks or "beta cuck" men. Like, go plant a garden. Bring some cookies to your neighbor. Stop using other people as your punching bag. Thank you for your graceful example, Garrett.
Yes! Just do a kind, creative thing! And then anothe one! And another! No podcast opining required.
This essay is well worth it if it can change just a few minds. We need as many narratives as possible to offset the narratives of the grifters.
Appreciate this, David.
Been thinking about this topic for awhile, and what kind of life we’re setting our young men (and women for)…excited to add some of this thinking to the essay I’m writing in my head 😅. Have you seen what Josh Gondelman recently wrote for Playboy about loving his wife? I was like, YES this is the kind of content we need more of to just…affirm how lovely a partnership of equals can be.
https://playboy.substack.com/p/love-can-look-like-anything-even?r=18vj&utm_medium=ios
I think Josh is such a great example of a dude walking through the world with delight and joy and gentleness (and also, even if I didn't share his world view, I can't imagine I still wouldn't find him 10 times funnier than any of those dudes on Kill Tony). I haven't read this essay yet, though! Can't wait!
Thanks for this essay. You are so right. Building community, building a caring community is what we can all do right now.
For just about any of the crises we're facing, it's a pretty good path!
This is great, Garrett. Thank you sincerely.
I think maybe the biggest problem is that there’s no Big Podcast or protein powder money in saying, “You’ll be happier if you just treat everyone in your life like a human being who matters.”