We Got Two Years To Bring The Revolution
Link arms
Links are at the end.
Wasting electrons and energy
Among the things New York Times editors are especially good at is giving op-ed inches to prominent people with absurd or pedestrian or absurdly pedestrian ideas. They do this much more often than they give space to relatively obscure people with good ideas.
On the former score I’m thinking particularly of the recent op-ed from former Warren Harding war secretary William F. Cohen and his well-known-in-lofty-circles partner, former Preston Brooks chief of staff Alton Frye, proposing that Democrats elect a speaker, a moderate Republican, from outside the House in tandem with similarly inclined unicorns from across the aisle who would succumb to Hakeem Jeffries’ blandishments despite his lack of virginity.12
On the latter, Danielle Carr’s September 2022 essay on the political roots of what is commonly called our mental health crisis stands out. Carr is an assistant prof at UCLA, and not a household name — neither is Cohen and certainly not Frye outside households of a certain age and inclination, but they’re influential households — but her op-ed is among the most important ones of the past year.34
The Cohen essay offers something that was obviously not going to happen — the election of an outside Speaker — and paired it with the most unimaginative possible suggestions for candidates. Total waste of space. Carr’s essay provides a framework for unearthing the policy roots not just of the lack of mental health care and the stressors that exacerbate or incubate mental illnesses, but of any social ill. It’s a valuable insight comprehensibly rendered.
And of course it corresponds with my own view of the impact made by policies both implemented and denied, but it’s no less valuable for that.
I don’t object to people writing about stuff that probably won’t happen; this newsletter wouldn’t exist without that impulse. But boring stuff that won’t happen, in a newspaper with what is commonly thought to be the most valuable op-ed space around? This is not just offensive, but physically dangerous: the chin-stroking provoked by pieces like Cohen’s can erode that important facial feature to nothing. That’s just irresponsible.
AP Photography
Associated Press photojournalists are some of the best in the world. Depending on your inclinations, you might find the photo of the dead ex-pope (deceased, ceased to be) Benedict lying in state with his hat on to be entertaining.5
Coffee: it’s complicated
Could kill you, could reduce your risk of death to nothing. This particular study suggests that coffee reduces the risk of gestational diabetes. So if you or a loved one are thinking about making babies, fire up the Mr. Coffee in advance.6
Music of the writing day
Japanese Television, “Space Fruit Vineyard;”7 I think this may be a repeat, but no matter, I like it. Sort of psychedelic-surfy instrumentals. I put it on a loop so that it's for music today.
And that, Comrades, is all I got.
Be well, take care, and consider subscribing if you’ve not already—it’s free unless you want to pay (which we encourage).
Weldon:
Enjoying your commentary. Seems like things are going well for you.
Best.
Bill
I'm skeptical of your assertion that the op ed pages of the New York Times are the most influential. it has the 2d highest circulation after the Wall Street Journal but those ratings are for print and I suspect more people read things online than in print these days. I couldn't find "circulation figures" for online. In addition, I'm skeptical about their actual influence as opposed to broadcast sources like Fox (unfortunately). Then the question is who is influenced by whatever. If you're talking politicians and office holders, I wonder about the NYT compared to the Washington Post or even USA Today. My guess is that politicians aren't all that influenced by whatever is in the NYT. Just a guess. 538's polling probably interests them more.