I adore Todd Glass and Marc Maron could not be better in this case. The entire thing is worthwhile, it is sincere and heartbreaking and funny. Closer to the end of the podcast you feel a new world opening up for Todd, his feelings of relief at finally being able to live honestly as well as the anxiety and thrill of the unknown. You want him to get everything he deserves.
As Dave Holmes says, this is a perspective we do not hear very much anymore. Todd is in his mid-forties and his much of his thought process is specific to his generation. For this reason I think this could really resonate with older people in a way that the campaigns aimed at kids haven’t. I really can’t see my father or grandfather listening to this and not feeling some sense of understanding and empathy.
I am so thankful that the podcast format exists. There is no way something this long form and unrestricted could have been widely distributed in the past.
Also of note: Todd followed up on all of this and talked about the response he received on his own podcast released yesterday.
Townes Van Zandt, “Pancho And Lefty” — his recording of his best-known song, which was a hit for the duet of Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. (And there’s an amazing live version by Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan.) Van Zandt, who struggled with drugs and mental illness, died fifteen years ago today, Jan. 1, 1997, at age 52.
There seems to be one moment in every episode of PARKS AND RECREATION where Amy Poehler somehow manages to reflect back all of the show’s joy with just a look. This was that moment. She’s amazing.
You have to watch the whole 8:34. I didn’t at first, because I couldn’t take any more of seeing UC Davis Police Lt. John Pike (530-752-3989, japikeiii@ucdavis.edu) pepper-spray a row of peaceful students like they were cockroaches.
But watching the nonviolent crowd (I never believed that nonviolence is a morally superior tactic, but it is effective) shame the pigs pointing rifles at them, and force them to retreat and leave (“You can go!”), might be the most inspiring thing you see all year.
I’m glad this exists because I find just the idea of it to be so comforting. Like if things started going really badly I could put this on, dig out a snow cave and hibernate until spring.
I can hardly wait until I get to see some girl in yoga pants and uggs carrying a fucking Ayn Rand inspired bag around.
Our bags are visual reminders for ourselves to live a life we love and conquer the epidemic of mediocrity. We all have a John Galt inside of us, cheering us on. How are we going to live lives we love?
Artist: Townes Van Zandt
Track: Pancho And Lefty
