It was fun to meet in person and I’m looking forward to the next one — with all our toes in working order.
I’ve been thinking about taste recently (yes, in part prompted by Scott Alexander’s piece) as self-awareness about what gives us pleasure. But I’m also realizing that clearly defined taste can also act as a kind of anti-curiosity filter. Like I just assume that I’ll dislike Carli xcx as a kind of mindless, British, bubblegum pop. I genuinely dislike most of the music made by Beyonce and Taylor Swift and assumed it’s in the same category. But maybe I’m wrong.
I just downloaded the original and remix albums to my phone and about to take them for a spin on my bike … so I’ll find out soon. :)
I hope you enjoy BRAT. I'm a big fan of sad girl rock (Slow Pulp, Snail Mail, Men I Trust, etc.) but I don't listen to true pop. Enjoying charli xcx was a surprise for me too. Hope it treats you well!
Yeah, I like the notion of taste as a reflection of what we give the most attention.
One of my best friends is a big fan of sad girl rock. I'm more into confident girl rock. (Big Thief, Ani Difranco, Aterciopelados, Javiera Mena, Brittany Howard.) I try to psychoanalyze him about this, but he won't engage. :)
I gave charli xcx a genuine try, but it's too pop formulaic for me. Still, I get the appeal. Especially songs like "Btb" and "I think about it all the time" captures the contemporary, 30s-something malaise of having ostensibly made it but still feeling anxious.
Beyond short stories, I’ve only read “Kafka on the Shore” and “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running” to be fair. “Kafka” was too weird for me. Maybe just over my head. “Running” was just kinda boring, though hearing his background of how he became a writer was interesting.
Just wanted to share that I was proud to see you make the top page of hacker news twice at the end of 2024. Excited to see you flourish in 2025!
It was fun to meet in person and I’m looking forward to the next one — with all our toes in working order.
I’ve been thinking about taste recently (yes, in part prompted by Scott Alexander’s piece) as self-awareness about what gives us pleasure. But I’m also realizing that clearly defined taste can also act as a kind of anti-curiosity filter. Like I just assume that I’ll dislike Carli xcx as a kind of mindless, British, bubblegum pop. I genuinely dislike most of the music made by Beyonce and Taylor Swift and assumed it’s in the same category. But maybe I’m wrong.
I just downloaded the original and remix albums to my phone and about to take them for a spin on my bike … so I’ll find out soon. :)
Brittany Howard came out with a great live album yesterday!
I haven't read the SA piece on taste yet, but someone else I read posted a take against it, so I'll have to read them both: https://www.sympatheticopposition.com/p/contra-scott-on-taste
I hope you enjoy BRAT. I'm a big fan of sad girl rock (Slow Pulp, Snail Mail, Men I Trust, etc.) but I don't listen to true pop. Enjoying charli xcx was a surprise for me too. Hope it treats you well!
Yeah, I like the notion of taste as a reflection of what we give the most attention.
One of my best friends is a big fan of sad girl rock. I'm more into confident girl rock. (Big Thief, Ani Difranco, Aterciopelados, Javiera Mena, Brittany Howard.) I try to psychoanalyze him about this, but he won't engage. :)
I gave charli xcx a genuine try, but it's too pop formulaic for me. Still, I get the appeal. Especially songs like "Btb" and "I think about it all the time" captures the contemporary, 30s-something malaise of having ostensibly made it but still feeling anxious.
Such a boomer thing to say “I just downloaded the album to my phone” hahaha😆
I can get how it makes you feel anxious though.. Brat aint for everyone - it was a surprise like for me too.
That's Gen X to you, young man. 🙃
And also, 4G doesn't reach far here in Oaxaca :)
Thankful for your 26 pieces this year and thankful to call you a friend!
Gonna look into that Murakami piece as someone who has loved Murakami so far.. but also curious why you don’t love his work.
Beyond short stories, I’ve only read “Kafka on the Shore” and “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running” to be fair. “Kafka” was too weird for me. Maybe just over my head. “Running” was just kinda boring, though hearing his background of how he became a writer was interesting.