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TAG's avatar

“amazing girlfriend named Freda” — you got so lucky there! Will check out her book. And your newsletter is one of those things I never feel bad about scrolling. Happy 2025!

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John Strohm's avatar

That makes my day, thanks!

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Dick Huey's avatar

“One thing I do from time to time that I strongly recommend is going on a long hike by myself without any media.” I think Americans are yearning to have a more standoffish relationship with social media. Algorithms and ad-centric business models won’t make that easy, but I believe it’s happening now in the form of limiting phone use in school, for instance.

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John Strohm's avatar

It needs to be a better organized movement - obviously for kids. I've done a better job as a parent limiting my kids' social media than I have with my own - and I haven't done very well with either one. Trying to be accountable to myself at least.

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kurt squire's avatar

I also do media dry-outs (I think an "artists way" thing for me originally), but I'm bad at them, AND they are great for you. There are a few 'kids' around me - DIY surf punk types who are somewhat anti-social media & scrolling. Very into experiences where you have to be in the here and now to find them. I expect to see more - probably from people our kids' age.

I hope that the book project includes some auto-biographical elements. It's needed to complete the Blake Babies Auto-Biography trilogy.

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Ellen from Endwell's avatar

The butt crack bit cracked me up. We all have those memories of faux pas as kids and it's fun to hear someone else's.

You done good on the substack writing and achieving your resolutions. It's an inspiration!

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