It’s November. Time for my annual “holiday gathering prep” recommendations.*
This year’s two selections make the case for seeing the world as it is (rather than how it plays in our heads) in order to connect meaningfully with others.
First is late author David Foster Wallace’s viral and profoundly wonderful 2005 Kenyan College commencement address “This Is Water” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CrOL-ydFMI). Wallace’s genius is displayed in full in this message of hope, opportunity, and the wisdom of living a conscious, meaningful, connected life. You won’t be disappointed here. This speech is what sharing was made for.
Second is Scene on Radio’s 2018 podcast series “Men” (http://www.sceneonradio.org/men/). Co-hosts John Biewen and Celeste Headlee explore the origins and impacts of our male dominated world, addressing sexism, patriarchy, and misogyny. And asking, “How can we get better at seeing it? And what can we do about it?”
“Men” illuminates an unjust patriarchy so pervasive its existence seems normal and inevitable. When in truth, the idea that this is somehow natural is a great big pile of horse manure. So yeah, it’s twelve episodes, but it’s important. And you won’t see the world in the same way again—I know I won’t.
So, before we sit down to the big meal, or venture out for some Black Friday madness, perhaps we can let these worthy works lift us to our finest moments as humans.
Happy Thanksgiving!
* btw—2018’s recommendations are still fresh as strawberries in June: https://peterpagnucco.com/blog/2018/11/15/a-book-a-movie-a-gift