Rachel Kushner the literary titan comes through talking about her existential new spy novel, the power of thinking with your hands, and more unbeatable topics
Re: Working with hands, you might be interested in checking out what Wirecutter founder Brian Lam has been up to with Paklan (disclosure, I'm helping him with it) https://www.paklan.org
But this is basically the whole thesis of the project. From the about page:
>This is an experimental newsletter about the feeling of craft, nice things, and fixing old homes. The purpose of Paklan is to explore things through a craft lens and to document and share what it is like to become a craftsperson. It is also meant to connect modern people with craftspeople so that they can support each other in material and spiritual ways. It would be good if there were more craftspeople in the world, because craft enhances confidence in self and sensitivity. So I will try to help other people become craftspeople, too.
The comments section here is one of the few places I “live online, man”.
“Appeals to nuance” is a perspicacious statement, and I think there is great benefit in aligning with the spirit of it. I’m constantly coming up against my own polarized thinking.
I really appreciate the these deep interviews, and this one is juicy.
Engaging with the world through the use of my hands has produced the most joy for me. I’m reminded of going into J. Press 20 years ago to look at getting a bespoke Harris Tweed blazer. The old school salesman there, who had obviously been in the business since long before I was born, took me to a table, pulled out huge swatch books and said “put your hands on these goods”.
First off, you guys kill it with all your pieces . . .
Second, love that line about working with your hands leading to richness. So much tangibility has been lost in the day to day, but hey we can grab it back with good clothes or woodworking projects or by becoming plumbers. Not all is irretrievable just yet.
The Eric McDavid story reminds me of Declassified: Untold Stories of American Spies, which I watched after BBSP recommended Sasquatch by David Holthouse (amazing). (Holthouse was one of the producers for Declassified.) The show is careful to always frame America in a positive light, but it's quite easy to see through that framing and the stories are incredible.
I can't wait to read The Message. I've had that same eerie feeling Coates describes when I first heard Israeli mythology. Like, do deep truths need ziplines and paid trips?
MANY years ago, I was visiting some friends who lived in this beautiful renovated condo building in Seattle. Once a month, everyone in the building would open their doors and people would wander around drinking wine, admiring each other's art. I walked into one guy's place where he had this array of 20-30 old tube amps just sitting there, and we had a long discussion about it (where I recognized what they were but not what they could do), and how subtly gorgeous they all were. If you haven't seen them before, definitely check them out. Huge shout out to Yung Kushner (Smith?) for doing work on an incredibly underappreciated piece of technology
Re: Working with hands, you might be interested in checking out what Wirecutter founder Brian Lam has been up to with Paklan (disclosure, I'm helping him with it) https://www.paklan.org
But this is basically the whole thesis of the project. From the about page:
>This is an experimental newsletter about the feeling of craft, nice things, and fixing old homes. The purpose of Paklan is to explore things through a craft lens and to document and share what it is like to become a craftsperson. It is also meant to connect modern people with craftspeople so that they can support each other in material and spiritual ways. It would be good if there were more craftspeople in the world, because craft enhances confidence in self and sensitivity. So I will try to help other people become craftspeople, too.
The comments section here is one of the few places I “live online, man”.
“Appeals to nuance” is a perspicacious statement, and I think there is great benefit in aligning with the spirit of it. I’m constantly coming up against my own polarized thinking.
I really appreciate the these deep interviews, and this one is juicy.
Engaging with the world through the use of my hands has produced the most joy for me. I’m reminded of going into J. Press 20 years ago to look at getting a bespoke Harris Tweed blazer. The old school salesman there, who had obviously been in the business since long before I was born, took me to a table, pulled out huge swatch books and said “put your hands on these goods”.
Indeed I did.
Looking forward to reading her books.
First off, you guys kill it with all your pieces . . .
Second, love that line about working with your hands leading to richness. So much tangibility has been lost in the day to day, but hey we can grab it back with good clothes or woodworking projects or by becoming plumbers. Not all is irretrievable just yet.
🛠️
absolute GOAT
You said it
The Eric McDavid story reminds me of Declassified: Untold Stories of American Spies, which I watched after BBSP recommended Sasquatch by David Holthouse (amazing). (Holthouse was one of the producers for Declassified.) The show is careful to always frame America in a positive light, but it's quite easy to see through that framing and the stories are incredible.
I can't wait to read The Message. I've had that same eerie feeling Coates describes when I first heard Israeli mythology. Like, do deep truths need ziplines and paid trips?
Great interview! Loved The Flamethrowers - and a 11,000 word piece about drag racing from Rachel Kushner? Can’t wait!
us neither , no way it's not gonna rip
MANY years ago, I was visiting some friends who lived in this beautiful renovated condo building in Seattle. Once a month, everyone in the building would open their doors and people would wander around drinking wine, admiring each other's art. I walked into one guy's place where he had this array of 20-30 old tube amps just sitting there, and we had a long discussion about it (where I recognized what they were but not what they could do), and how subtly gorgeous they all were. If you haven't seen them before, definitely check them out. Huge shout out to Yung Kushner (Smith?) for doing work on an incredibly underappreciated piece of technology