Dear readers,
11 months ago, I sent out a sign-up form for my newsletter “How to Read the News” and you signed up. Since then, a lot has happened. I got married, started a podcast, read a few life-changing books and discovered a new focus for my work. Here it is.
I’m interested in how we spend our time, because I find that it’s a meaningful way to assess what causes are contributing to how productive, well, or satisfied a person is. How do we spend each minute of our day? What factors influence our “time-spending” decisions? How do our decisions make us feel about ourselves?
In my case, for instance, I noticed that most of my childless peers (millennials) spend most of their time either working or consuming media (whether alone or with others), and so do many of our parents (boomers). How this came about and whether it’s the best use of our time or not, is a question.
I am writing this newsletter to increase the amount of time I spend generating effort to produce something that is squarely outside of traditional work or leisure for me and something that I am not paid to do (though, in the future, it could generate income, or inform activities that generate income), to see where it takes me both emotionally and professionally.
Basically, this is just a public record of my exploration of questions I’m curious about, and you’re invited to follow along.
Question 1: How and why should we read the news?
For those who know me, I’ve been curious for a long time about what “news” is, why we consume it and how to do so effectively, based on our time, objectives and emotions. I’ve written a bit about it around the web, but never shared too many notes in progress before.
I’m working on an illustrated book about this (currently on the second re-write), and while I am still considering self-publishing (you’ll be the first to know!), I intend to first make an earnest effort to get it sold in 2020.
If you know someone I should talk to, let me know.
Question 2: How and why should we value the work of caring for ourselves and others?
I’ve been wondering how we have come to define and value what “work" is, and why we engage in it, other than to pay our bills.
I think there are many definitions of work and many different ways to stay alive other than work, and so, whether or not to participate in work in the way American society values it is something I want to think more about.
In particular, I'm intrigued by why we don't value the time we spend caring for ourselves and for others (in our home, in our communities) as "work" unless it is paid. There are many political, economic, emotional and social implications for this.
What to expect from this newsletter
If you'd like to stay subscribed (or sign up, if someone forwarded this to you), here’s what you can expect to receive weekly (ish) on Fridays.
A short note about my developing thoughts on these two subjects
Links to things I have been reading or watching
Work updates (I currently write & host a podcast about Buddhism and work for a nonprofit membership organization of feminist economists)
I'll probably ask you questions along the way as I learn.
My 2020 goal is to have 100 conversations about these questions and document it all, so you can definitely reply with interest if you have a personal story to share, you’re an expert on a related subject, or you’re just friendly and curious.
If you know someone who would find this letter interesting, tell them!
Jihii
P.S. For those interested in who I am: After producing and consuming journalism for about a decade, I’ve come to view it as a mindset and toolkit for observing the world and listening to people that can be applied to virtually any situation. I’m currently trying to apply this mindset to my daily life. You can see the formal stuff here.