Walter, as you know I am an admirer of you and your work. I love the precision and the humanity of your writing. This piece, as the kids would say: “Nailed it”. Knowing your background and your vast vocabulary, I impressed with your use of one word throughout this writing. The rhythm with which you inserted the word “bullshit” throughout was like a metronome of alarm. It was a perfect use of the word. And that is not bullshit! Shalom my friend.
Brilliant! An excellent summation of the crumbling of the formerly impressive edifice of truth seeking, which didn't necessarily get 'the truth,' but it sure did get more truth than the 'narrative building' that has replaced it.
You remind me how, in the 1980s, when I was an editorial writer at a big metro daily in the midwest, we didn't trust the reporting of the news side, because we knew their biases. So we reported our own pieces. I was very young, and I cared very much about getting it 'right.' I weighed what actually happened, and the consequences, rather obsessively, against policy prescriptions, and ideology. It seemed to matter. I can't imagine what young journalists think now, as they imbibe the narrative, and further it, and never seem to question it.
Matt Taibbi brought me here, I was taking a break from my daily life to dig into the daily "bullshit". I don't have Twitter, but I'd lying if I said I didn't read it. Taibbi is one of the voices I've grown to trust and when he said he subbed to "Unbound" I did as well sight unread.
Walter, I really enjoyed this. I've now read it three times and shared it as wide as I could with the understanding, only a fraction of the responses that claimed to be "excited to check it out" ever would, but the few that did would be better off for it.
I have two young boys, both in their first years of life having gone through more than I have in my 34 years. Both with heart conditions, both with open-heart surgeries in the near past.
The first 2/3rds of this quenched a thirst I have to hear others pile on to the hollowed-out institutions I've grown to distrust. The last 1/3 spoke to my heart and helped bring me back to earth. Reminding me that life is right in front of me, not hidden in the whispers of government chambers I'll never be in and will never hear.
I'm not sure what you wanted us to take away from this piece, but I do know what I have. Life exists above the "bullshit" and the choice to dig is mine alone.
Thank you for this Walter. You reassure me I am not the only one. How wonderful that you spent that time with your father, and caring for him. A few years, pre-pandemic, that was me with my mother, who had dementia/alzheimers. Thank God for those caregivers who made her happy and helped me keep her at home where she wanted to be.
The one thong you don't mention is that for certain friends, for whom belonging to sort of social climbing order that is the present zeitgeist and seems to be represented by media sour4, the bullshit has become an encapsulating religion. I used to think dialogue was possible. Now I tend to find myself opting out.
Some things are difficult for me to understand. There is a feeling I get when I’ve read something that has made a difference in my life. This is that piece.
This is brilliant. Thank you for sharing it. I am a recovering photojournalist--even had a couple of pictures in Time when print was still barely relevant, so I can relate somewhat to your journey. You have perfectly captured the disorientation I feel as I try to keep meaningfully informed.
I recognized your name and opened it up to see why I knew it.
My dad, also a chemical engineer, subscribed to TIME for decades, even though he called it a tool of the Left (ca. 1980.)
After I graduated from college & married, we subscribed for decades. I remember well the issue on The Science of Happiness! Also I found Joel Stein’s sophomoric snarkiness amusing, but quit my subscription about 15 years ago.
Deeply appreciate your views on the harm/ irrelevance/ vacuousness/ propaganda of the news & media today.
C. S. Lewis didn’t read the newspaper, considering it a waste of time. When asked why, he supposedly replied “…if it’s important, someone will tell me about it.”
An absolutely fantastic, heartwarming, heartbreaking and relevant piece. I wish I could write like you! This piece should be trumpeted throughout the bulls**t media in our land - it would kill most of that media - but the world would be a better place. Thank you Walter.
One thing: It was NOT the Mafia, the Cubans, the Russians, nor Oswald-- who killed JFK. The people (agencies), who "covered it up" (which the the Mafia, the Cubans, the Russians, nor Oswald-- had the access or ability to cover it up) are the ones who killed him.
Those who covertly infiltrated, spied on, and worked tirelessly (and illegally), to undermine Jim Garrisons investigation into who killed JFK ... is where you will find that answer (of who.)
PS - For those so inclined, the book: "On the Trail of the Assassins : One Man's Quest to Solve the Murder of President Kennedy" is a brilliant, thrilling (scary--wake up call). and revealing expose on the efforts and sacrifices one brave unwavering Patriot American endured, to find and expose the truth.
Thank you for your article. I get it. I got it a very long time ago. But the questions is, what is to be done? Diagnostics is essential, but without follow-on treatment the patient does not get well.
In 1969 I attended the graduation exercises of the Columbia School of Journalism. My then-friend Wayne Barrett was getting his MS. He later became an editor at The Village Voice and published several books, at least one of which was widely in re-demand not so long ago. I recall the reception afterward. He introduced me to, among other journalistic notables, Fred Friendly, and designated him a mentor. But the one most important thing I got from that event was what he told me was the essential lesson he had learned there. “The purpose of journalism is to form public opinion along certain lines.” More than fifty years ago. And people are just now waking up to what’s been going on.
Owing to spending too much time in Taibbi/Greenwald's substack comments, I hit a bit of a brick wall, and declared the whole thing (i.e. The Bullshit, its consumption, analysis, meta-analysis, political-economic theorizing) ineffectual. I deiced that I need a sermon (despite being a darwin-thumping atheist) and chose Cornel West's concept of hope in practice.
I wrote a short article in January this year "There is no emancipation in narratives" using the analogy of a back hole at the personal psychic center of social understanding. It's right here on substack. It feels like what you describes is similar.
I chose to redoubled my efforts in music study, composition and practice, and I started an arts and culture podcast (also here on substack), volunteered at the animal shelter, and I steer clear of conversations in what I called the primary narrative that article I mentioned.
Walter, as you know I am an admirer of you and your work. I love the precision and the humanity of your writing. This piece, as the kids would say: “Nailed it”. Knowing your background and your vast vocabulary, I impressed with your use of one word throughout this writing. The rhythm with which you inserted the word “bullshit” throughout was like a metronome of alarm. It was a perfect use of the word. And that is not bullshit! Shalom my friend.
Brilliant! An excellent summation of the crumbling of the formerly impressive edifice of truth seeking, which didn't necessarily get 'the truth,' but it sure did get more truth than the 'narrative building' that has replaced it.
You remind me how, in the 1980s, when I was an editorial writer at a big metro daily in the midwest, we didn't trust the reporting of the news side, because we knew their biases. So we reported our own pieces. I was very young, and I cared very much about getting it 'right.' I weighed what actually happened, and the consequences, rather obsessively, against policy prescriptions, and ideology. It seemed to matter. I can't imagine what young journalists think now, as they imbibe the narrative, and further it, and never seem to question it.
Matt Taibbi brought me here, I was taking a break from my daily life to dig into the daily "bullshit". I don't have Twitter, but I'd lying if I said I didn't read it. Taibbi is one of the voices I've grown to trust and when he said he subbed to "Unbound" I did as well sight unread.
Walter, I really enjoyed this. I've now read it three times and shared it as wide as I could with the understanding, only a fraction of the responses that claimed to be "excited to check it out" ever would, but the few that did would be better off for it.
I have two young boys, both in their first years of life having gone through more than I have in my 34 years. Both with heart conditions, both with open-heart surgeries in the near past.
The first 2/3rds of this quenched a thirst I have to hear others pile on to the hollowed-out institutions I've grown to distrust. The last 1/3 spoke to my heart and helped bring me back to earth. Reminding me that life is right in front of me, not hidden in the whispers of government chambers I'll never be in and will never hear.
I'm not sure what you wanted us to take away from this piece, but I do know what I have. Life exists above the "bullshit" and the choice to dig is mine alone.
I look forward to reading more of your work.
Best thing I've read in a long long time. An antidote.
Thank you for this Walter. You reassure me I am not the only one. How wonderful that you spent that time with your father, and caring for him. A few years, pre-pandemic, that was me with my mother, who had dementia/alzheimers. Thank God for those caregivers who made her happy and helped me keep her at home where she wanted to be.
The one thong you don't mention is that for certain friends, for whom belonging to sort of social climbing order that is the present zeitgeist and seems to be represented by media sour4, the bullshit has become an encapsulating religion. I used to think dialogue was possible. Now I tend to find myself opting out.
Thank you and God bless you
Sharlene Worthy
Some things are difficult for me to understand. There is a feeling I get when I’ve read something that has made a difference in my life. This is that piece.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful work.
This is brilliant. Thank you for sharing it. I am a recovering photojournalist--even had a couple of pictures in Time when print was still barely relevant, so I can relate somewhat to your journey. You have perfectly captured the disorientation I feel as I try to keep meaningfully informed.
I’m sorry for your loss, Walter. This was a remarkable piece.
I think I’m going to go for a walk.
I recognized your name and opened it up to see why I knew it.
My dad, also a chemical engineer, subscribed to TIME for decades, even though he called it a tool of the Left (ca. 1980.)
After I graduated from college & married, we subscribed for decades. I remember well the issue on The Science of Happiness! Also I found Joel Stein’s sophomoric snarkiness amusing, but quit my subscription about 15 years ago.
Deeply appreciate your views on the harm/ irrelevance/ vacuousness/ propaganda of the news & media today.
C. S. Lewis didn’t read the newspaper, considering it a waste of time. When asked why, he supposedly replied “…if it’s important, someone will tell me about it.”
Frakkin epic, Walter!
Every word a poke in the eye of the monster that media has become.
Somehow I have never heard of you before, but got linked to this article from Matt Taibbi.
Take my $100! Worth it for this piece alone.
An absolutely fantastic, heartwarming, heartbreaking and relevant piece. I wish I could write like you! This piece should be trumpeted throughout the bulls**t media in our land - it would kill most of that media - but the world would be a better place. Thank you Walter.
Great article Walter.
One thing: It was NOT the Mafia, the Cubans, the Russians, nor Oswald-- who killed JFK. The people (agencies), who "covered it up" (which the the Mafia, the Cubans, the Russians, nor Oswald-- had the access or ability to cover it up) are the ones who killed him.
Those who covertly infiltrated, spied on, and worked tirelessly (and illegally), to undermine Jim Garrisons investigation into who killed JFK ... is where you will find that answer (of who.)
PS - For those so inclined, the book: "On the Trail of the Assassins : One Man's Quest to Solve the Murder of President Kennedy" is a brilliant, thrilling (scary--wake up call). and revealing expose on the efforts and sacrifices one brave unwavering Patriot American endured, to find and expose the truth.
Thank you for your article. I get it. I got it a very long time ago. But the questions is, what is to be done? Diagnostics is essential, but without follow-on treatment the patient does not get well.
In 1969 I attended the graduation exercises of the Columbia School of Journalism. My then-friend Wayne Barrett was getting his MS. He later became an editor at The Village Voice and published several books, at least one of which was widely in re-demand not so long ago. I recall the reception afterward. He introduced me to, among other journalistic notables, Fred Friendly, and designated him a mentor. But the one most important thing I got from that event was what he told me was the essential lesson he had learned there. “The purpose of journalism is to form public opinion along certain lines.” More than fifty years ago. And people are just now waking up to what’s been going on.
Whoa! Precisely! Exactly! Eloquent, articulate and well-said. Gratitude for your work.
Owing to spending too much time in Taibbi/Greenwald's substack comments, I hit a bit of a brick wall, and declared the whole thing (i.e. The Bullshit, its consumption, analysis, meta-analysis, political-economic theorizing) ineffectual. I deiced that I need a sermon (despite being a darwin-thumping atheist) and chose Cornel West's concept of hope in practice.
I wrote a short article in January this year "There is no emancipation in narratives" using the analogy of a back hole at the personal psychic center of social understanding. It's right here on substack. It feels like what you describes is similar.
I chose to redoubled my efforts in music study, composition and practice, and I started an arts and culture podcast (also here on substack), volunteered at the animal shelter, and I steer clear of conversations in what I called the primary narrative that article I mentioned.