Dear Reader,
As we approach the “dog days” of August, I’m thinking about taking next month off here at Second Drafts (don’t worry, paid subscribers: I’ll extend your subscriptions by a month).
I hesitate doing this, as anyone will tell you that consistency is key to keeping and growing an online audience, but between the traveling we’ll be doing (more in next week’s edition) and just feeling the need for a break, August seems as good a month as any to take one.
In the meantime (and in the midst of the heat—hope you’re staying cool!) enjoy this week’s edition of Second Drafts. As always, thanks for reading.
Craig
Hot Takes
It’s a random assortment this week, with thoughts on media confidence, more definition silliness, and a new documentary on a classic American song. Enjoy.
“Media Confidence Ratings at Record Lows” - If you follow the news at all, falling levels of confidence will not surprise you in the least. But in case you missed it:
“Americans’ confidence in two facets of the news media -- newspapers and television news -- has fallen to all-time low points. Just 16% of U.S. adults now say they have ‘a great deal’ or ‘quite a lot’ of confidence in newspapers and 11% in television news. Both readings are down five percentage points since last year.”
From a partisan perspective,
“Republicans’ (5%) and independents’ (12%) confidence in newspapers is the lowest on record for these party groups, while Democrats’ (35%) has been lower in the past. Democrats’ confidence in newspapers rose to the 42% to 46% range during the Donald Trump administration but fell when President Joe Biden took office.”
As I wrote a few weeks ago in response to the news that US newspapers were dying at a rate of two per week, the confidence solution is the same as the financial one:
“…the solution is three-fold: 1) bring back fact-driven news reporting (rather than opinionated bias; 2) recruit and support your own writers worth paying for (rather than just filling pages with stories from the AP or UPI); and 3) cultivate local ownership that has an actual stake in the community (rather than a conglomerate that’s not even in state).”
“Merriam-Webster Changed the Definitions of the Worlds ‘Female’ and ‘Girl’” - Merriam-Webster has changed its dictionary definition of “female,” and ‘girl,’ and it’s a case study in dismantling basic logic right before our eyes. Here’s the new listing:
As Houston Baptist University professor Robert Gagnon observed on Facebook,
“Webster’s dictionary adds a new gnostic ‘b’ definition of female: ‘having a gender identity that is the opposite of male.’ Of course, that begs the question of what is a ‘male.’ ‘Male’ likewise has a new gnostic ‘b’ definition: ‘having a gender identity that is the opposite of female.’
This is what is known as circular logic. If in a trans-cultist’s thinking a ‘female’ means ‘having a gender identity that is the opposite of male’ and ‘male’ means ‘having a gender identity opposite of female,’ removed from the biological correlates for reproduction, then the terms ‘female’ and ‘male’ are undefinable.”
The ‘a’ definitions have also been changed to accommodate the trans-cult by inserting ‘typically has the capacity to.’ Thus, the ‘a’ definition of ‘female’ has changed from ‘of, relating to, or being the sex that bears young or produces eggs’ to ‘of, relating to, or being the sex that typically has the capacity to bear young or produce eggs.’ And likewise ‘male’ has changed to ‘of, relating to, or being the sex that typically has the capacity to produce relatively small, usually motile gametes which fertilize the eggs of a female.’”
Some may think our society’s breakdown of logic and reality is not a big deal, but it’s sure playing havoc with the NCAA’s woman of the year selection, as well as personally impacting two women impregnated by a transgender inmate in New Jersey. We’re only fooling ourselves, folks; as a reminder, here’s “Why Definitions Matter.”
“‘Don, It’s Time for You to Reveal’: 50 Years Later, the Truth Behind ‘American Pie’” - Released the year I was born (1971), Don McLean’s classic song about “the day the music died” and its impact on the world has a new documentary on Paramount+.
“On a frigid night in 1959, a small plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper) crashed in a corn field in Clear Lake, Iowa, minutes after take-off, killing everyone on board. The documentary begins with that event, traveling back to the Surf Ballroom, where the stars played their final show.”
I haven’t watched the film yet, but my understanding is McLean, who had previously been tight-lipped about many of the meanings behind the “American Pie” lyrics, talks more freely about the imagery and allusions in what Ed Freedman, the song’s producer, calls “the eulogy for a dream that didn’t take place.”
“The lyrics brim with coded references to kings, queens, and jesters, along with a host of cultural figures that, together, turn it into a virtual pop quiz: ‘Name that reference!’ The result has made the song especially involving, teasing the listener to solve its puzzle.
In the film, McLean dismisses some of the most common speculations about his reference points. Elvis wasn’t the king in question. The ‘girl who sang the blues’ wasn’t Janis Joplin, and Bob Dylan wasn’t the jester. In 2017, Dylan commented on his alleged reference to Rolling Stone: ‘A jester? he said. ‘Sure, the jester writes songs like ‘Masters of War,’ ‘A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall,’ ‘It’s Alright, Ma.’” I have to think he’s talking about somebody else.”
After 50 years, the song’s worth a new listen, the documentary probably worth a watch.
A Grandfather Clock in a World of Tiktok
It happened again this week. I got accused of being old.
On Tuesday night, I watched Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game. The next day, I read this post by sportswriter Joe Posnanski, in which he suggested that the half-inning of a four-way live “mic up” of Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Alex Manoah and catcher Alejandro Kirk with Fox Sports game announcers John Smoltz and Joe Davis could be “the future of baseball.” Providing some context, he wrote:
“Baseball’s efforts to get fans closer to the game have been particularly cringey. The dugout interviews with managers and players during games in almost every case have been worse than pointless; they’ve been unbearably boring. Different camera angles have felt off. A few weeks ago, Peacock tried a game without announcers but with enhanced sounds; that didn’t work at all for me. The on-screen strikeout boxes have probably done about as much harm as good.”
Agreed. But after rehashing some play-by-play of what happened when the conversation settled on real-time strategy, Posnanski got more excited:
“Now I was leaning forward toward the TV, hanging on every word. This was so completely awesome—Manoah was telling us exactly what was going on in his mind as he was pitching. He was taking us with him into the pitcher-hitter duel. He overthrew a fastball that jumped way above the strike zone. The announcers were now wisely staying silent, giving him the stage.”
I could tell where this was going.
“I cannot tell you how mesmerized I was by this. I’ve so often tried to think with the pitcher; we all do, right? It’s one of the true joys of the game. And now the pitcher was telling us his thought process.”
And here was the payoff pitch:
“At this point, I began to wonder: Could they simply mic up every pitcher from now on and let THEM announce these games with a talented announcer up in the booth to set them up and enhance the game? Because this was breathtaking stuff. I realize that it was an All-Star Game so it didn’t matter. I realize there aren’t many pitchers like Manoah. But it was just so good.”
Posnanski and I have had our differences in the past (not that he knows or cares what they are or even that they exist) and this was yet another. I went back to his tweet and posted a comment (I even used the word “please”) to interact with his idea:
This, of course, was greeted by a classic ad hominem GIF from “Neil,” who, according to his Twitter handle, “doesn’t know.” Taking him at his word, I didn’t respond. Such is the depth of social media interaction: funny, I suppose, but mostly futile.
To be sure, I still think wiring pitchers and catchers to narrate a game real-time is a silly gimmick and wonder what St. Louis pitching great Bob Gibson would have said about it (hint: he never liked the All-Star Game, though he appeared in nine of them).
Emmanuel Todd Lopez
Earlier this week, I happened to catch the actual onset of a young woman’s (and her emu’s) 15 minutes of fame. Taylor Blake runs Knuckle Bump Farms, a “mini cow hobby farm” in southern Florida. But the farm is home to more than just cattle; up until last week, Blake (a “content creator” and “animal lover”) shared short educational videos of her interactions with emu, ducks, and deer along with her cows.
A week ago, one of her three emu—“Emmanuel Todd Lopez”—repeatedly stole the show and interrupted her video sessions, resulting in over a million people laughing out loud and suddenly following Blake on TikTok. Late night television host Jimmy Fallon flew her up to New York to appear on his show last night; she’ll probably land an endorsement agreement with Tommy Hilfiger and Duluth Trading Company for her overalls, as well as a book deal with some major publisher—all because of these four 30-second videos:
I’m happy for Blake’s success, but I wonder how sustainable the “Emmanuel, don’t do it!” gig is going to prove to be? Still, TikTok (and all video-based social media) favors the attractive, so even if Emmanuel decides to retire out of boredom, Blake will have plenty of opportunities I’m sure to…do something else for her newly-found audience.
Nice work if you can get it. But despite what the song claims, can you really get it if you try?
A Grandfather Clock in a TikTok World
I ask because I’ve tried. I started writing this newsletter in January of 2021 and have written every week since (something like 80 straight weeks). This past January, I added a monthly podcast and book review for a $5/month fee; the Friday newsletter has always been free.
With only 30 paid subscribers (thank you, by the way), I’m far from being able to quit my “real” job to write and be a full-time “influencer.” Despite my best searching, I can’t seem to find that nationally syndicated opinion columnist position for which someone would pay me $100K to share my words with the world on a weekly basis.
Someone asked me this week if I ever thought about adding video to my current audio-only podcasts. Since I have more of a face for radio than TikTok, I told her it wasn’t likely—partly because I don’t trust China, mostly because I hate how I look on screen.
Sometimes I get discouraged at what I imagine the time-spent-writing to time-spent-reading ratio of Second Drafts must be, but that’s okay. What else am I going to do in my free time? Besides, I have 320 free and paid subscribers (and even more readers who pick up the newsletter through social media), so I don’t want to let anyone down.
Honestly, I’ve gotten used to feeling like a grandfather clock in a TikTok world—I’m not sexy, exciting, or silly, but (some) people like me, darn it, and I don’t take that for granted. I’m always going to view the world through bifocals (they’re actually called “progressives” now, which should give my political critics a chuckle), but that’s because I’m interested in how what’s close in front of us will affect what’s far ahead.
I’m probably never going to agree with Joe Posnanski on his ideas for baseball’s future, but that’s okay (it’s not like he’s asking). And as much as I’ve made Peaches a mascot of sorts for Second Drafts, apart from the occasional guest post and a monthly podcast and book review picture, that’s about the most I’m willing to exploit her.
I don’t mind being called old, nor do I have any desire to hide the fact that I’m becoming more so each year. But I don’t equate “old” with “out of touch” nearly as much as my critics might, at least not when it comes to what counts in life.
My hairdresser, Erika, always tells me how much she likes my gray hair. My prayer is her appreciation will ultimately be more for what it represents (God’s faithfulness) than how it looks.
“O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
your power to all those to come.”
Psalm 71:17-18
Friends Family Doing Cool Things
It’s been a while since I’ve included this feature, but I bring it back today to tell you about our second daughter, Chloe, and her plans for the next two years. She writes:
“Over the past four years of barista work at Cold Smoke Coffee*, being genuinely interested in a person’s life—even during a 3-minute interaction over the counter—has grown into some real (and deep) friendships; ‘Friendsgivings’ at customers-turned-friends’ houses, tea drinking and coloring with lovely older customers, thank you cards at Christmas, and tears and words of gratitude for caring for others have all been part of the mix.
As important as having someone to talk to as an adult is, how much more is it for teenagers? Many middle school and high school kids feel alone, unappreciated, and confused. Having a person in their lives to share things with makes a world of difference.”
Building on her experience of the past five years working with students in Trinity Church’s youth group* and working toward the completion of her business marketing degree from Southern New Hampshire University, Chloe has applied for and been accepted to a youth ministry internship program on the East Coast. She continues:
“As I near the end of my time at Cold Smoke (my last shift is 6 a.m.-12 p.m. on Thursday, July 28) as well as my college education (I graduate in February 2023), I find myself passionate about ministry, particularly youth ministry. To better equip myself in ministering to students, I have decided to pursue a two-year internship with Reformed Youth Ministries as an intern to serve at Christ the King Presbyterian (PCA) Church in Roanoke, Virginia, for the next two years. During this time, I will come alongside middle school and high school girls while learning at a deeper level about youth ministry, specifically Bible study, prayer, one-on-one discipleship, event planning, leading, and more.”
Chloe needs to raise $20,000 in financial support for this first year to supplement what the church in Roanoke is contributing ($17,500 salary, ministry budget of $2,500 to use with students). Her biggest need is for consistent monthly donors to cover living expenses, but one-time gifts are welcomed as well. All gifts are tax-deductible.
Chloe’s anticipated departure date for Roanoke is August 22, by which she needs to have at least 50% of her funding in. She’s due to officially begin with the church on August 29, so time is of the essence. If you are interested in helping with her support or receiving her ministry updates, you can pop your info in here and she’ll be in touch.
We’re going to miss her, but we’re supportive of her desire to step out in faith. Thanks for your prayers for her and, if God so leads, any support you send her way.
(*We owe a debt of gratitude to Cold Smoke owners, Caleb and Laura Walker, and Trinity Church’s Scott and Ali Herron for their investment in Chloe these past years. Thank you.)
Post(erity): “38 Today”
Each week, I choose a post from the past apropos of something in the newsletter.
This week’s Post(erity) post, “38 Today” is from February 2009, and considers society’s resistance to aging. An excerpt:
“Our culture is so paranoid about growing older and puts so much into fighting (both physically and psychologically) the effects of aging that it’s amazing we haven’t collapsed into one giant heap of adolescence.
Children aren’t taught to grow up to be adults in society; they’re taught to grow up to be teenagers. Adults aren’t embracing their position of elders in the world; they’re fighting tooth and nail to get back to their glory days and not be viewed as old.”
Fresh & Random Linkage
“The Office LEGO Set Is Up for Preorder” - Just $120 gets you 1,164 pieces to reimagine all the shenanigans at Dunder Mifflin. Releases on October 1.
“Colorado Springs Man Makes History after Pushing Peanut with His Nose to Pikes Peak Summit” - That there have been previous pushers is the real story.
“Heaven Is Renting Someone Else’s Pool” - Here’s the latest entry in “the booming sharing-and-charging marketplace.” I wonder if kiddie pools qualify?
Until next time.