I’m a Canadian who lived in the US during the last debacle. Back in Canada now, but people everywhere are stressed. I plan to be very creative this time, but also not bury my head in the sand. Let’s hope we all survive this next cycle. Be creative everyone!
Well said, Andy! And as Ru Paul would say, “You can look at the darkness - but don’t *stare* at it.
I’m still formulating my creative resistance plan, and how I can maybe help others implement it for their own benefit. We artists will keep each other afloat!
I've been a bit depressed lately. The thought of another 4 years of his hatred and ignorance is daunting. I agree, read enough news to stay informed but avoid the rabbit hole. As an artist, I find solace and peace of mind when creating. Throughout history, some of our greatest art was created during difficult times. We need to push the boundaries that they will create to hold us in. Even after this horrible election, I till have faith in this country.
News relies on fear. A lot of media is also rehashing the same things over and over again. Speaking as a recovering news junkie who’s realized how repetitive and toxic it is, I’ve kind of gone off it. If it’s important, it’ll trickle into consciousness. Most news isn’t. It’s all about getting attention through outrage.
And the Rick Rubin book is awesome! Kind of like the Tao Te Jing, you can dip in and out of it.
There’s a gentle sanity in this piece that I know will help many, Andy. It’s always a time to be creative and the best way to do that is to be free of frictions. Control what you can control. I love that Rick Rubin book and that interview was excellent. Bon Courage, as they say over here.
I’m Canadian, so speaking from a distance, yet we’ve just been threatened by that monster, so I have skin in this nightmare game too. Yesterday was an absolute horror.
I agree about the doomscrolling. Bluesky, as much as I love the platform, can be like crack cocaine for that. Just small doses to keep me informed and find strong voices is my plan.
As for creativity, I’ve recently begun a walk-around photo project documenting my city and I plan to revive my dormant Substack. Any day now, I promise! :)
But it needs to be said that what was unleashed yesterday may actually devolve into something resembling civil war. We need to be thinking about that. Support networks and contingency plans are essential.
Andy, as much as I want to subscribe I am feeling like a pin cushion. Over the past two days I have been bombarded by requests for folks subscriptions. I get it. We all have to feed ourselves, but personally, I’m not up to paid anything right now. I do wish you great success.
Hey Margie! Thanks for the note. Please don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're reading the newsletter! For the most part, this is free and will remain so. You can always support with a paid subscription at some point in the future if you feel like it. Or not. Take care!
I continue to photograph and explore what I’m trying to achieve, how to do it, and even why I do it. It’s difficult to detach myself from developments, but I’ve learned to refine my news consumption—focusing only on consequential, actual events and filtering out speculation. If it hasn’t happened, it’s not news.
As an American expat in Mexico with over 25 years in roles that required staying informed on global events and trends, I’ve come to understand the importance of consuming news wisely and selectively. I hear about Trump’s plans for Mexico, and the potential fallout could be severe. One night, anxiety kept me awake as I grappled with what this could mean for people here, especially my wife and son. I had to come to terms with the fact that I can’t control what’s coming, good or bad, but I have the agency to choose how I respond.
I’m sort of a Stoic, but in the ancient sense—not the contorted, militaristic, misogynistic version that’s often promoted on podcasts and YouTube today. Reading Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower brought me down that road some years back. Anyhow, embracing community and our responsibility as members of the world is central to Stoic philosophy, as is recognizing the inevitability of change and learning to navigate it. Yes, I still believe it's essential we stay informed, deepen our understanding of events, and approach them with a mindset that values what’s truly important but that we focus always on preserving the good our humanity is capable of. For me, it comes down to valuing time with my family, reading, taking walks, and enjoying my two Chihuahuas, as well as using my camera to document everything—even if I never share any of it on social media. Thinking of blogging on my photography site as well. Have a draft I am working on. Heck, nobody might ever read it but I will have completed a personal goal which is much healthier than doom-scrolling and giving in to anxiety.
Btw, thanks for the video. Looks like the universe is speaking to me: had begun to listen to a segment of David Lynch expressing the very same in a YouTube video yesterday but got distracted.
I attribute to Rubin's book my own creative blossoming, namely in the way I see my place in the world as someone who makes things. I hope you find it as inspiring as I did. (Some say it's trite platitudes, but I think some of it is in the spirit in which you approach it.)
I am Norwegian ; want to express my condolences and I am sure what you are suggesting is a preferred path - to keep once force and energy to stay at its best resourced- to practice tolerance , empathy, curiosity and all what you as Americans will need. We are dragged under this shitty water as well and know how many people look up to this rich unwise force of brutal energy .
I am a former journalist and I really want people to reed and educate themselves - I explain my children why this companionship between musk and trump is so dangerous cause they don’t get that from tik tok
They only get they trump has saved America ; keeping tik tok … . Omg. But yes!! Log off . Don’t get too delusional: create breathe walk find a stranger to smile to!! Shoot your best images ever : stay curious !! Stay high spirited!! We the rest of the world need your creative power field !
Unfortunately, being creative may preserve sanity, but it doesn't solve the steaming mess we are in. The ruling class has lost all sense of decency. The purported opposition often has an agenda that is at odds with the mainstream who thus continue to feel unrepresented and further often the plan is- donate money.
I’m a Canadian who lived in the US during the last debacle. Back in Canada now, but people everywhere are stressed. I plan to be very creative this time, but also not bury my head in the sand. Let’s hope we all survive this next cycle. Be creative everyone!
“Creative Resistance “. 👏🏾 🖐🏾 I’m in
Well said, Andy! And as Ru Paul would say, “You can look at the darkness - but don’t *stare* at it.
I’m still formulating my creative resistance plan, and how I can maybe help others implement it for their own benefit. We artists will keep each other afloat!
That's perfect. Thanks, Jack.
Thank you for invoking RuPaul. Perfect.
I've been a bit depressed lately. The thought of another 4 years of his hatred and ignorance is daunting. I agree, read enough news to stay informed but avoid the rabbit hole. As an artist, I find solace and peace of mind when creating. Throughout history, some of our greatest art was created during difficult times. We need to push the boundaries that they will create to hold us in. Even after this horrible election, I till have faith in this country.
News relies on fear. A lot of media is also rehashing the same things over and over again. Speaking as a recovering news junkie who’s realized how repetitive and toxic it is, I’ve kind of gone off it. If it’s important, it’ll trickle into consciousness. Most news isn’t. It’s all about getting attention through outrage.
And the Rick Rubin book is awesome! Kind of like the Tao Te Jing, you can dip in and out of it.
Well said!
Thanks for your guidance…👍🏽
Good tips and suggestions for
getting through these times.
There’s a gentle sanity in this piece that I know will help many, Andy. It’s always a time to be creative and the best way to do that is to be free of frictions. Control what you can control. I love that Rick Rubin book and that interview was excellent. Bon Courage, as they say over here.
I’m Canadian, so speaking from a distance, yet we’ve just been threatened by that monster, so I have skin in this nightmare game too. Yesterday was an absolute horror.
I agree about the doomscrolling. Bluesky, as much as I love the platform, can be like crack cocaine for that. Just small doses to keep me informed and find strong voices is my plan.
As for creativity, I’ve recently begun a walk-around photo project documenting my city and I plan to revive my dormant Substack. Any day now, I promise! :)
But it needs to be said that what was unleashed yesterday may actually devolve into something resembling civil war. We need to be thinking about that. Support networks and contingency plans are essential.
Let’s all keep the faith.
This fellow Canadian concurs: where do you live in Canada,circumspectral?
Andy, as much as I want to subscribe I am feeling like a pin cushion. Over the past two days I have been bombarded by requests for folks subscriptions. I get it. We all have to feed ourselves, but personally, I’m not up to paid anything right now. I do wish you great success.
Hey Margie! Thanks for the note. Please don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're reading the newsletter! For the most part, this is free and will remain so. You can always support with a paid subscription at some point in the future if you feel like it. Or not. Take care!
Sound advice, which I tend to follow anyway. It’s needed much more now.
I continue to photograph and explore what I’m trying to achieve, how to do it, and even why I do it. It’s difficult to detach myself from developments, but I’ve learned to refine my news consumption—focusing only on consequential, actual events and filtering out speculation. If it hasn’t happened, it’s not news.
As an American expat in Mexico with over 25 years in roles that required staying informed on global events and trends, I’ve come to understand the importance of consuming news wisely and selectively. I hear about Trump’s plans for Mexico, and the potential fallout could be severe. One night, anxiety kept me awake as I grappled with what this could mean for people here, especially my wife and son. I had to come to terms with the fact that I can’t control what’s coming, good or bad, but I have the agency to choose how I respond.
I’m sort of a Stoic, but in the ancient sense—not the contorted, militaristic, misogynistic version that’s often promoted on podcasts and YouTube today. Reading Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower brought me down that road some years back. Anyhow, embracing community and our responsibility as members of the world is central to Stoic philosophy, as is recognizing the inevitability of change and learning to navigate it. Yes, I still believe it's essential we stay informed, deepen our understanding of events, and approach them with a mindset that values what’s truly important but that we focus always on preserving the good our humanity is capable of. For me, it comes down to valuing time with my family, reading, taking walks, and enjoying my two Chihuahuas, as well as using my camera to document everything—even if I never share any of it on social media. Thinking of blogging on my photography site as well. Have a draft I am working on. Heck, nobody might ever read it but I will have completed a personal goal which is much healthier than doom-scrolling and giving in to anxiety.
Btw, thanks for the video. Looks like the universe is speaking to me: had begun to listen to a segment of David Lynch expressing the very same in a YouTube video yesterday but got distracted.
I attribute to Rubin's book my own creative blossoming, namely in the way I see my place in the world as someone who makes things. I hope you find it as inspiring as I did. (Some say it's trite platitudes, but I think some of it is in the spirit in which you approach it.)
Your endorsement means a lot, Bill. I appreciate it!
I agree.
I am Norwegian ; want to express my condolences and I am sure what you are suggesting is a preferred path - to keep once force and energy to stay at its best resourced- to practice tolerance , empathy, curiosity and all what you as Americans will need. We are dragged under this shitty water as well and know how many people look up to this rich unwise force of brutal energy .
I am a former journalist and I really want people to reed and educate themselves - I explain my children why this companionship between musk and trump is so dangerous cause they don’t get that from tik tok
They only get they trump has saved America ; keeping tik tok … . Omg. But yes!! Log off . Don’t get too delusional: create breathe walk find a stranger to smile to!! Shoot your best images ever : stay curious !! Stay high spirited!! We the rest of the world need your creative power field !
(As an American living in Norway, I appreciate your take on this whole twisted mess.)
I very much enjoyed reading Rick Rubins - The Creative Act.
Lots of helpful thoughts and suggestions, a good read as well ..
I may re-read it now : )
I need to do the same.
Unfortunately, being creative may preserve sanity, but it doesn't solve the steaming mess we are in. The ruling class has lost all sense of decency. The purported opposition often has an agenda that is at odds with the mainstream who thus continue to feel unrepresented and further often the plan is- donate money.