Heads up if you’re new here: this Substack is primarily for written content about social dynamics and there are usually 5-6 articles per week, but every now and then I do a podcast episode with an interesting guest. You can subscribe here or on Spotify where all my episodes are also available.
My guest
said, in this episode:“If anybody's ever read anything that I write…I don't shy away from controversy or trolling or poking the bear a little bit, but I really worry in this terrain, you know, like this is what I would get just like super nervous about.”
Luckily, that’s what I was going for. Matt Yglesias is a political writer known for his excellent Substack Slow Boring (you should subscribe.) Although he and I have never met before, he was instrumental in boosting this Substack, solely because he liked it and thought other people should read it. So naturally, I really wanted to finally meet him, and in light of my other interviews where I talked to serious writers about unexpected things (I spoke with
about sexuality and about marriage and dating) I wanted to ask him about stuff he doesn’t normally talk about. We started out with parenting (and that’s the bulk of the episode) but things took some wild and hopefully funny turns. All in all, it was super enjoyable and I’m honored that he was willing to talk to me about this crap for two hours. I hope it’s fun for all of you too!Articles Referenced:
I Am The Female Bad Husband
Heads up that while this article deals with somewhat similar subject matter, it’s not a response to Emily's Version’s recent essay about “good” (or not so good!) husbands. She and I have different views and experiences on this topic, but I’ve actually been working on this article for a while, so not only is it NOT meant in opposition, but I want to take this moment to highlight that she’s a great writer and you should subscribe to her!
Bring Back Taboo and Shame
In general, I am glad we don’t live in the repressed, puritanical world of the Victorians. Sometimes, I see glimmers of that worldview in Gen Z, such as the never-ending horror at all the goofy sexual pantomime antics of Sabrina Carpenter, and I shudder a bit. It seems, overhyped scandal by overhyped scandal, Gen Z is “canceling sex.”
The Parental Safetyism Arms Race
As parents and non-parents alike criticize rampant “safetyism” taking over Parent World and making it impossible for kids to live normal lives, one particular controversy comes up time and time again: sleepovers. Specifically, whether or not they should be allowed. The danger referenced is mostly sexual assault (usually from a sibling, or an adult relative living in the house.) But sometimes, the dangers are less severe, like the fear that your child could be exposed to porn or even just media that isn’t age appropriate.
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