After reading the November issue – the first monthly issue in the “long format” that I had planned to use going forward – I received this from CF:
Mark – I am impressed and surprised by this monthly edition. My only critique would be that many people like me may not find the time to digest it all in one sitting. So may I humbly propose that you split the difference and make it a bimonthly.
Just a thought from a fan. (If not, I will find the time to read it as it comes.)
I’d already come to the conclusion that what I was sending out was too much to read in one sitting. So, my current plan is to continue with the monthly, but to send it in four parts. More specifically:
* I’ll be starting the month with most of what you’ve come to expect in a full issue.
Today’s issue is an example of what it’s going to look like. It will include clippings from my Journal (mostly personal accounts and perspectives), News & Views (political, social, and cultural news stories about which I have an opinion that I think stands apart from what the rest of the media – right or left – is saying), a section on The Economy & Investing(self-explanatory), Recommended Reading/Watching (brief introductions to essays, articles, videos, etc. that I think you will find worthwhile), a Quiz (meant to deliver answers to important – and sometimes surprising – topical questions), a Photo of the Month (something I found particularly interesting), and Readers Write (a selection of letters from readers).
* The second weekly issue of the month – the Review issue – will consist of critiques of books, movies, and streaming series that I’ve enjoyed over the previous month.
* Works in Progress – the third weekly issue – will feature two or three chapters of books I’m currently writing and lessons from courses I’m putting together.
* And Just One Thing – the fourth weekly issue – will be a single essay on a topic that I feel the need to write about.
How does that sound?
This month, I’m going to test out this new idea. Read on, and this is some of what you’ll find in this first weekly issue for December:
* Why I fear a global war could be weeks away
* My take on the Jake Paul/Mike Tyson “event”
* The best – and worst – Christmas movies of all time
* A selection of news items you probably didn’t hear about from the corporate and government media
* David Stockman on how the Trump administration can cut $2 trillion from the federal budget
* A warning about overly regulating AI
* Four quick reads that I think will interest you
