Podcast Of The Week: Kweli And Murs On El-P (And A Personal Story)

Ok YouTube algorithm. I really - and I mean REALLY - didn’t want to watch a video with “white rappers in hip-hop” in the title.  But then I noticed it was Talib Kweli and Murs talking, and that said “white rapper” in question was El-P.  Murs calls El, “My Chuck D.” Kweli says El laid … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Kweli And Murs On El-P (And A Personal Story)

Content/Intent Autocorrect Life Philosophy

I was trying to type the word “content” into a note but it kept autocorrecting to “intent.” An iPhone philosophy reminder apparently. Because you know autocorrect will make you type it 18 f$@#ing times until you surrender and click the shamefully suggested first word in the greybar to end the war. But I said this … Continue reading Content/Intent Autocorrect Life Philosophy

Podcast Of The Week: The Inevitability Of Ice Spice

I’m always going to get caught up in “how did this happen” and “where did this even come from” cultural questions. I’m not on TikTok, I’m not deep into drill (although, I’ve dabbled [adjusts monocle]), and I didn’t really enjoy much of the SoundCloud rapper phase. But I have been surprised by how much I’ve … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: The Inevitability Of Ice Spice

When Headlines/Subject-Lines Don’t Feel True

A quote from Harry Dry (before you write your next headline/email subject line/etc.) “Good copy is falsifiable.”  A clear message tells the reader “this is provable, if you want to prove it for yourself.”  A marketing example (which Dry uses) - let’s say you’re selling an energy drink. Ask yourself which of these feels true: … Continue reading When Headlines/Subject-Lines Don’t Feel True

It’s Hard To Be Really Good At Anything You Don’t Think About In The Shower

A Paul Graham-ism that brings me comfort as I get water all over my bathroom floor while trying to record voice notes mid-shower, risking life and limb (and confusing my dog, who is patiently waiting for me to stay in the shower long enough to steal my socks).  It’s hard to do a really good … Continue reading It’s Hard To Be Really Good At Anything You Don’t Think About In The Shower

Respectful Disagreement (And Andy Warhol Disses)

We need friends who we both respect AND can disagree with.  Because there’s no growth without resistance.  Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe were that type of friends. They were also upward-bound artists.  Mapplethorpe loved Andy Warhol and wanted to be a part of his scene. Smith didn’t feel the same. But they were still deeply … Continue reading Respectful Disagreement (And Andy Warhol Disses)