I’ve been generous with my time in recent months, sitting for podcast interviews where hosts seemed genuinely interested in the ideas I’ve been developing.
Well, that just sucks. Sorry that people can be so disingenuous. Please know that WE value your time and thoughts. I’m impressed that you did not out them. A lesser person wouldn’t have thought twice about it. Thank you.
They don't want intellectual engagement. They're too scared to publish opinions contrary to their benefactor's political beliefs. True journalism and reporting is long dead. We know all this. But it's damn frustrating they invite you along, waste your time, and don't even publish. You have every right to be angry - and deserve a much wider audience.
It’s strange that they’re gaslighting when they thought it would be of value to request an interview with you in the first place! Sadly, rudeness is to be found everywhere these days. And while being polite is not necessarily an indicator of character, it does grease the wheels of social discourse and it’s a shame when we lose this aspect of etiquette. One should always be thanked, and in addition, if an interview is not to be aired, some explanation should be given. Failure to do so is inexcusable. Period.
How I handle interviews, though they are few. First, I ask that the interviewer give his/her word I can review and/or edit what they wish to publish. Then I ask that the questions be emailed to my personal email address. I email my written answers. When the text is emailed back, I make whatever edits have merit. I keep a record of the correspondence.
So many podcasts seem to be looking for soundbites & viral clips and they assume the short attention span of their viewers, who they believe want flash-bang-boom quick quips and not thoughtful, layered analysis. Those podcasters presumably asked you on because of the way the public is engaging with your observations and views, but then they disrespect their viewers if they're concluding their viewers can't be trusted to pay attention to long form, layered arguments with depth and substance. Regardless of their motivations, they should not take your time and then not share the conversation without having the courtesy to discuss their reasoning with you.
I have been fortunate to come across people that I call salt-of-the-earth (SOTE)people. The First Peoples called these the "Like-Hearted People" and the "Like-Minded People." Finding these diamonds in the rough has maintained my life journey despite times of wondering where these gems were. For sure, they have dwindled in number.
Most of you remember the famous line from A Streetcar Named Desire:
Blanche DuBois: Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.
--Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire 1951.
Over the years, I have edited that famous quote. I have 5 such "modernizations." Here's one that is apropos to Mike's commentary:
" I am never surprised at the lack of courtesy of people." — Stephen Strum, (2018)
The above was generated shortly after I was diagnosed (late) with a B-cell malignancy called light chain amyloidosis (AL). At the time, my wife and I were living in Nevada City, CA, having moved from Jacksonville, Oregon. As an hematologist/oncologist I was sure I would be dead in 3 months and wanted my wife's family to be nearby to support her. So we moved to Nevada City where her older sister and husband lived. There was only one seasoned HemOnc in the area, and after my consultation I recall the interaction I had with him when he asked me if I had any questions. In the middle of my question, he thrust out his hand to shake mine, mumbled a few words as he departed, while my wife and I stood shocked at his atrocious behavior, lack of civility, and absence of courtesy. That was in 2018 and incited my Tennessee William's variation.
Recently, I have noted that this lack of collaboration and collegiality (and of course courtesy) has become routine. In the past, an email to another MD would be answered 90% of the time. Now, it has fallen to, at most, 50% of the time.
Courtesy is a minimal manifestation of human kindness. I can only conclude that kindness is now disappearing in our so-called "society" and that words like sociable will soon fall out of use, vestigial organs of no use.
Our political scene reflects this with Trump, his Cabinet, and the GOP House and Senate.
But.... it is always important to acknowledge the sunshine that comes after the rain. Yesterday, I received a call-back from Public Citizen. This is an organization headed up by Robert Weissman and Lisa Gilbert (Co-Presidents). I like what they are doing and made a donation but left a voice mail asking for 1 consideration: Please do not send me non-stop requests for more donations. Please do not share my name with the fallout of a bombardment of pleas--give me, give me, and so on. This has been the model for the Democrats in office or running in office. I donated to Mark Kelly and then it has been 6 requests for more money within 48 hrs. That was my voicemail message I left.
Within a few hours, I received a phone call from Bill Wilson of Public Citizen. Our conversation was wonderful. A real person, not a recording of press this and that. We spoke for about 20 minutes and ended with his assurance that the fallout above would not occur. This was kindness; this was courtesy and this was indeed appreciated given is rarity in today's commercial world.
Pardon my crudeness, but I am tired of being fucked. I want foreplay. I want manifestations of caring and love, and not being used.
Mike, I try to remember the lines of the Final Analysis from Mother Teresa when others hurt me by their negligence.
The Final Analysis
by Mother Teresa
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered
Forgive them, anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind, anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false-friends and some true enemies.
Succeed, anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you.
Be honest and frank, anyway.
What you spend years building, someone may destroy overnight.
Build, anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous.
Be happy, anyway.
The good you do today, people often forget tomorrow.
Do good, anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.
Give the world the best you have, anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it's all between you and God.
You came across my radar about 10 days ago in a live conversation with Zev Shalev. Boy, am I glad, because you are now one of my favorite subscriptions. I so appreciate your take on things and the wisdom you share. Thank you!
this isn’t surprising at all. When I try to propose solutions to help our current online discourse many appear interested, but turn away as it’s not the most profitable solution at the moment.
Why are they even setting up an interview with you if they won’t publish it? I mean, surely they already have some basic idea of where you stand on current events, your philosophies, experience, background, perspectives. And the interview cannot be that much off the mark from your ideas. It is time wasting on their own time as well. What is the purpose of such slogging?
Well, that just sucks. Sorry that people can be so disingenuous. Please know that WE value your time and thoughts. I’m impressed that you did not out them. A lesser person wouldn’t have thought twice about it. Thank you.
They don't want intellectual engagement. They're too scared to publish opinions contrary to their benefactor's political beliefs. True journalism and reporting is long dead. We know all this. But it's damn frustrating they invite you along, waste your time, and don't even publish. You have every right to be angry - and deserve a much wider audience.
It’s strange that they’re gaslighting when they thought it would be of value to request an interview with you in the first place! Sadly, rudeness is to be found everywhere these days. And while being polite is not necessarily an indicator of character, it does grease the wheels of social discourse and it’s a shame when we lose this aspect of etiquette. One should always be thanked, and in addition, if an interview is not to be aired, some explanation should be given. Failure to do so is inexcusable. Period.
How I handle interviews, though they are few. First, I ask that the interviewer give his/her word I can review and/or edit what they wish to publish. Then I ask that the questions be emailed to my personal email address. I email my written answers. When the text is emailed back, I make whatever edits have merit. I keep a record of the correspondence.
Tear em up big dog, your ethics are unimpeachable in my book
So many podcasts seem to be looking for soundbites & viral clips and they assume the short attention span of their viewers, who they believe want flash-bang-boom quick quips and not thoughtful, layered analysis. Those podcasters presumably asked you on because of the way the public is engaging with your observations and views, but then they disrespect their viewers if they're concluding their viewers can't be trusted to pay attention to long form, layered arguments with depth and substance. Regardless of their motivations, they should not take your time and then not share the conversation without having the courtesy to discuss their reasoning with you.
I have been fortunate to come across people that I call salt-of-the-earth (SOTE)people. The First Peoples called these the "Like-Hearted People" and the "Like-Minded People." Finding these diamonds in the rough has maintained my life journey despite times of wondering where these gems were. For sure, they have dwindled in number.
Most of you remember the famous line from A Streetcar Named Desire:
Blanche DuBois: Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.
--Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire 1951.
Over the years, I have edited that famous quote. I have 5 such "modernizations." Here's one that is apropos to Mike's commentary:
" I am never surprised at the lack of courtesy of people." — Stephen Strum, (2018)
The above was generated shortly after I was diagnosed (late) with a B-cell malignancy called light chain amyloidosis (AL). At the time, my wife and I were living in Nevada City, CA, having moved from Jacksonville, Oregon. As an hematologist/oncologist I was sure I would be dead in 3 months and wanted my wife's family to be nearby to support her. So we moved to Nevada City where her older sister and husband lived. There was only one seasoned HemOnc in the area, and after my consultation I recall the interaction I had with him when he asked me if I had any questions. In the middle of my question, he thrust out his hand to shake mine, mumbled a few words as he departed, while my wife and I stood shocked at his atrocious behavior, lack of civility, and absence of courtesy. That was in 2018 and incited my Tennessee William's variation.
Recently, I have noted that this lack of collaboration and collegiality (and of course courtesy) has become routine. In the past, an email to another MD would be answered 90% of the time. Now, it has fallen to, at most, 50% of the time.
Courtesy is a minimal manifestation of human kindness. I can only conclude that kindness is now disappearing in our so-called "society" and that words like sociable will soon fall out of use, vestigial organs of no use.
Our political scene reflects this with Trump, his Cabinet, and the GOP House and Senate.
Goodbye Kindness & Courtesy, Hello Malice & Incivility.
But.... it is always important to acknowledge the sunshine that comes after the rain. Yesterday, I received a call-back from Public Citizen. This is an organization headed up by Robert Weissman and Lisa Gilbert (Co-Presidents). I like what they are doing and made a donation but left a voice mail asking for 1 consideration: Please do not send me non-stop requests for more donations. Please do not share my name with the fallout of a bombardment of pleas--give me, give me, and so on. This has been the model for the Democrats in office or running in office. I donated to Mark Kelly and then it has been 6 requests for more money within 48 hrs. That was my voicemail message I left.
Within a few hours, I received a phone call from Bill Wilson of Public Citizen. Our conversation was wonderful. A real person, not a recording of press this and that. We spoke for about 20 minutes and ended with his assurance that the fallout above would not occur. This was kindness; this was courtesy and this was indeed appreciated given is rarity in today's commercial world.
Pardon my crudeness, but I am tired of being fucked. I want foreplay. I want manifestations of caring and love, and not being used.
Mike, I try to remember the lines of the Final Analysis from Mother Teresa when others hurt me by their negligence.
The Final Analysis
by Mother Teresa
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered
Forgive them, anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind, anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false-friends and some true enemies.
Succeed, anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you.
Be honest and frank, anyway.
What you spend years building, someone may destroy overnight.
Build, anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous.
Be happy, anyway.
The good you do today, people often forget tomorrow.
Do good, anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.
Give the world the best you have, anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it's all between you and God.
It was never between you and them, anyway.
You came across my radar about 10 days ago in a live conversation with Zev Shalev. Boy, am I glad, because you are now one of my favorite subscriptions. I so appreciate your take on things and the wisdom you share. Thank you!
I hope you are sending this to the responsible parties as well
Sounds like the state of the job market for the last couple of years. Soooo much blowing off.
this isn’t surprising at all. When I try to propose solutions to help our current online discourse many appear interested, but turn away as it’s not the most profitable solution at the moment.
Why are they even setting up an interview with you if they won’t publish it? I mean, surely they already have some basic idea of where you stand on current events, your philosophies, experience, background, perspectives. And the interview cannot be that much off the mark from your ideas. It is time wasting on their own time as well. What is the purpose of such slogging?
I think we should know the disingenuous parties, but respect you decision.
Absolutely!
This brings out my inner petty: I’ll bring the Zippo.
Give em hell!