We live in the era of the hustle. Of following our dreams until the end, and then pushing ourselves more. And every time we feel beholden to capitalize on the rare places where our skills and our joy intersect, we underline the idea that financial gain is the ultimate pursuit. If we’re good at it, we should sell it. If we’re good at it and we love it, we should definitely sell it.
As it turns out, turning a passion into a career is not always a path to happiness. It can be a path to an unbalanced life.
I hadn’t thought about it much, to be honest, but it resonates with me. When I was writing a lot of poetry, I didn’t try to get it published. When I started this newsletter, I didn’t even consider signing up for Patreon and asking people to contribute. I already have several jobs. I don’t need another. Yet.
SURE ANIMALS USUALLY DIE BECAUSE SOMETHING IS EATING THEM OR WHATEVER BUT AT LEAST THEY NEVER LIE AWAKE AND WONDER IF THEY SHOULD HAVE GONE TO GRAD SCHOOL
— NOT A WOLF (@SICKOFWOLVES) February 22, 2019
Polarization
I have a recurring disagreement with one of my subscribers (hi Dad!) about whether it’s important to respect conservatives and engage seriously with their ideas, since they’re our fellow countrymen and we owe it to them, even if we disagree.
But major conservative donor and influencer Jerry Falwell Jr. came up on stage at a major convention recently and threatened to shoot Rep. Ocasio-Cortez as a cattle rustler. He’s also known for wishing more people carried guns to shoot Muslims. So, maybe let’s not?
I’m not the only one saying this. Brad DeLong, a self-described “Rubin Democrat” and well-known moderate Democrat, says the Democratic Socialists should drive the bus now, since being a moderate requires a good-faith negotiator on the right side of the aisle, and his team of moderates were clearly wrong when they thought they could find a middle path through compromise:
“Barack Obama rolls into office with Mitt Romney’s health care policy, with John McCain’s climate policy, with Bill Clinton’s tax policy, and George H.W. Bush’s foreign policy,” DeLong notes. “And did George H.W. Bush, did Mitt Romney, did John McCain say a single good word about anything Barack Obama ever did over the course of eight solid years? No, they fucking did not.”
Longreads, Shortreads
Forthcoming from Princeton University Press: Not Working: Where Have All the Good Jobs Gone?
Don’t trust low unemployment numbers as proof that the labor market is doing fine—it isn’t. Not Working is about those who can’t find full-time work at a decent wage—the underemployed—and how their plight is contributing to widespread despair, a worsening drug epidemic, and the unchecked rise of right-wing populism.
Now from The Onion: Pros & Cons of Congestion Pricing. (Market urbanism is hilarious don’t @ me).
WTF, Possibly NSFW
CES, the global consumer electronics expo, issued an award to a woman-led company for its groundbreaking work on female sexual health. Then they rescinded the award, claimed the product was obscene, and banned the company from even attending the expo. Par for the course in the consumer electronics space.
(Yes, I’m aware that I am linking to an article about the downsides of entrepreneur-obsessed hustle culture and to an article from a newsletter about entrepreneurship called The Hustle. I contain multitudes).
See also: Fake doctor sex expert.
Papers, Please
Mentally ill veteran born in the US was carrying his passport when arrested but still spent 3 days in ICE custody.
Cultivating Joy
This bird is very odd looking. (Twitter)
These blokes arguing about a pet emu (click for sound) (Twitter)
Puffin with a rainbow full of tiny fish in its beak. (Nat Geo)
These cats sitting on glass tables are just the best. (Insta)
A dog thrilled to go on a walk after leaving a shelter. (Twitter)
Secretly Ironic 