No Thanks

This week I have been felled by whatever extremely nasty flu is making the rounds. Yes, I got my flu shot, and yes, the flu was still that bad. I'm on the mend but my brain is sort of oatmeal-like, so I'm in absolutely no shape for writing a newsletter. But I think that's okay, because it's a holiday anyway, and we all need a break from thinking and reading about stuff. Right? So I guess good timing, flu-wise. Lucky me!

Plus, all anyone is talking about this week is the Olivia Nuzzi – Ryan Lizza saga. Each day it reveals itself to be more sordid than the day before, which is unfortunate because the saga frankly started at a point that was sordid in ways none of us wanted to imagine. Worse is the blast zone of damage, which now encompasses...well, all of us, if allegations are to be believed. But in case you're blessedly unaware of any of this, I'll direct you to my friend Brian Phillips, who published a piece yesterday that's equal parts must-read and you'll-regret-knowing-how-to-read. Of course Lizza sent out yet another paywalled installment, and everyone has opinions. Honestly, maybe we should just reboot society at this point.

Now that I've possibly ruined your US Thanksgiving (if you observe, and just your Thursday if you do not) with the above links (sorry), I will say this: I am genuinely grateful to all of you who open this newsletter every week, and I'm even more grateful for reading, responding, commenting, and sharing. And obviously for paying, if you do! But really, in a time when there is so, so, so much all the goddamn time—so much news, so much content, so much chaos and upheaval, and so many challenges—it is special to me that people still want to carve out time and attention for me, for my thoughts and ideas. I don't take it for granted. I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the week, and I hope to see you here next Wednesday.

Lx