3 Comments

As ever, a beautiful post. Letter, maybe is a better word? I feel, every time I get one of your newsletters, like I've opened an envelope to see real human handwriting. Thank you for writing to us. So much of this resonated - I've been that kid in your lecture about writing careers spiralling...I wish I'd had someone early in my writing journey to say just that! And curiosity is an answer I find really hopeful. It doesn't depend on anything external (like so much of writing).

On echo chambers vs social sorting, I'll be thinking about that division for a while.

Expand full comment
founding

Echo chamber vs social sorting. That's a wise phrase Yassmin.

I would say I carefully curate my socials and for reading a wider variety of opinions I go to comments on you tube. You'd be surprised who feels the need to comment on Disney promotions

I digress. Curiosity is the best thing and I thought it was my number 1 attribute but lately I've realised I need a whopping dose of compassion to go with it and when you're tired in body & mind then my compassion flies out the window. I had a great aunt who never judged me - who used to gently ask "and then what?". I am trying to be like Aunt Annie instead of old curmudgeon. Lately old curmudgeon is winning. Praying for the curiosity. One thing I woukd add if I was talking to young folk - is find joy in others success - right now a friend of 25yrs is walking to work every day in Versailles. He's directing an opera and Lacroix is the costume designer. Lacroix darling! (Absolutely fabulous reference). I am so joyful I get goosebumps when he posts. I gave up directing to care for my partner who has complex health problems, sometimes I direct things in my head but still I delight in other folks achievements. Curiosity & Joy in my discrete echo chamber.

PS: Yassmin, have you ever

considered writing as an artist I'm residence for Red Bull or McLaren or, - following the rookies on the circuit for a season? 😆😉 for inspiration read The Right Stuff or the collection titled "The New Journalism: editedby Tom Wolfe. 💜🙏

Expand full comment

Thanks Yasmin. I really enjoyed this.

Yes to curiosity! It’s so critical to understanding and being able to place yourself in other people’s shoes which is essential if we want to effect behaviour and attitudinal change. Asking what’s going on for them; and seeking to understand and journeying with them if our aim is to try to facilitate people shifting from A to B.

I almost left a comment on your post from a month ago about strategy where you said:

‘But in my experience, my self-righteousness has never changed someone’s mind, let alone their behaviour. And this is where I have to be honest with myself. Am I in this work to feel good about myself, or to shift the behaviour - of others - towards a more just outcome? No matter how ‘perfect’ my own moral compass, how useful is it if I’m the only one marching in that direction? ‘

Curiosity is connected with this, because asking questions and seeking to understand is fundamental to people feeling you care and understand and that they are safe to journey with you - creating that politics of belonging.

In fact not just feeling - knowing and trusting that you care.

Which we’ve got a huge job ahead of doing!

I loved Rebecca Solnit’s article in the guardian today on this

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/09/authoritarians-like-trump-love-fear-defeatism-surrender-do-not-give-them-what-they-want?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Expand full comment