I was going to write a piece about the kid who had the worst life I know of as a response to the Hanania “is it okay to hit a kid discourse?” But it was so bleak I talked myself out of it.
I had it a lot easier than a lot of people and I try to remember that.
Damn good piece of writing. I've had a rough few days (weeks? Months? Year-plus? It's complicated.), and this provided me with a much-needed emotional release. Blessings to you and your family.
What a retelling! Your writing style is very entertaining and I love how you point out fallacies as you see it. This is darn good. A tear fell one eye. What a rough childhood you've led Some Guy
You’ve written a few other pieces that moved me deeply, but dammit, this one made me cry.
So good. So real. Being weirdly smart is always weird, but surely all the more so when your parents can’t even begin to appreciate who you are.
I think I say this every other time I respond to you, but it’s worth repeating: Some Kid is very lucky to have you as his dad. Sure, you’ll be imperfect. But you will get the big things right. If he turns out to be very different from you - say, he hates books - you’ll flash back to the gap between you and your dad, and you’ll find constructive ways to connect anyway and love him for who he is.
On another note, my teaching field includes studying masculinity. (I think you may know this?) I reject lazy labeling of typical masculinity as “toxic,” unless we’re talking about Andrew Tate and his ilk. I love the nuance in this essay and I think it would prompt a not-stupid conversation if I assign it to my students.
I hope I’m an okay dad and that my son doesn’t end up loving to write or something. If he’s a total jock I’ll switch to being a sports dad in a heartbeat.
And assign away. I just need to clean up all the typos I saw the second I hit publish.
Another winner! When your memoir comes out, I’m ordering a copy for myself and everyone who matters to me
I need to do something of significance before but I will work on it.
You survived your childhood. That's pretty significant!
I was going to write a piece about the kid who had the worst life I know of as a response to the Hanania “is it okay to hit a kid discourse?” But it was so bleak I talked myself out of it.
I had it a lot easier than a lot of people and I try to remember that.
What a great story.
You had me right me right up there with your father and you working on the roof.
We could have used the help, to be honest.
Your writing is next level. Insane that some people can just write like this.
Just lots of time.
Reminds me of Johnny cash a boy named sue
It was a lot like that. To this day I won’t give in to my urge to own a bunch of swords because of this conditioning.
Damn dude, this is good.
Why thank ya, ma’am
I don't know how I am subscribed to this substack. But damn good writing! Gonna go read more
Thanks Max! (I know you’re getting three of these in quick succession but I am grateful, truly)
Dang that's some good writing!
The idea of you having 1,000 books and it looking like a wizards room is a hilarious visual.
I leaned into it pretty hard.
This was great, thanks for sharing!
Thanks Randolph!
Damn good piece of writing. I've had a rough few days (weeks? Months? Year-plus? It's complicated.), and this provided me with a much-needed emotional release. Blessings to you and your family.
Thanks Noah. I see this as kind of a chance for people to have some kind of personal experience so I’m glad it worked.
What a retelling! Your writing style is very entertaining and I love how you point out fallacies as you see it. This is darn good. A tear fell one eye. What a rough childhood you've led Some Guy
It wasn’t as bad as some! Very grateful for what I did have.
You’ve written a few other pieces that moved me deeply, but dammit, this one made me cry.
So good. So real. Being weirdly smart is always weird, but surely all the more so when your parents can’t even begin to appreciate who you are.
I think I say this every other time I respond to you, but it’s worth repeating: Some Kid is very lucky to have you as his dad. Sure, you’ll be imperfect. But you will get the big things right. If he turns out to be very different from you - say, he hates books - you’ll flash back to the gap between you and your dad, and you’ll find constructive ways to connect anyway and love him for who he is.
On another note, my teaching field includes studying masculinity. (I think you may know this?) I reject lazy labeling of typical masculinity as “toxic,” unless we’re talking about Andrew Tate and his ilk. I love the nuance in this essay and I think it would prompt a not-stupid conversation if I assign it to my students.
I hope I’m an okay dad and that my son doesn’t end up loving to write or something. If he’s a total jock I’ll switch to being a sports dad in a heartbeat.
And assign away. I just need to clean up all the typos I saw the second I hit publish.
I really loved this story. You have a good heart and a deep sense of empathy that shines through in your writing. ☺️
You’re my boy, blue!
😂