Um...well...ah... that may be an entirely different story. But definitely a good writing topic for YOU, I would love to hear about your first. Your first anything. S
My husband has a friend like your driver. Any urban myth, conspiracy theory or half-heard nut-job nonsense that he runs across gets stuck in his head never to be let go of. We've learned to just let him ramble on because it's not possible to shake his belief that facts really exist. I hadn't heard about the trains being looted so thanks for another side of the supply-chain problem. It's probably happening here too -- in Vancouver Canada -- but there's nothing in the news.
It must be exhausting to be friends with someone like that. I have some pretty kooky friends, but I don't think I have the patience to be friends with someone who goes all-in on all the big conspiracy theories.
We survived raising 4 very dynamic opinionated children that taught us how to look for the good and write off the nonsense. This friend has some truly wonderful qualities and a kind heart. We just hope he doesn't go down any of his rabbit holes when he comes by. When he does, we just go "oh really", or "wow that's strange" or some variation of of what he's saying. He stops after a bit. He just needs to have someone listen.
That's a wonderful lesson! And I think you bring up a good point. I read somewhere that a lot of conspiracy theory believers are very attracted by the identity and community that comes with their beliefs.
We all want to belong somewhere. Remember the theme song from Cheers? -- where everybody knows your name? Sometimes that longing takes someone down a path the rest of us thinks strange -- like cults, aliens run US government, flat-earthers, whatever. Have you heard the old one-liner everyone here is crazy save thee and me and I'm not too sure about thee? I heard it first from my grandmom in the fifties. It's all a matter of perspective.
Wow, so many things to comment on here. First, I was going to say, “Fox News is a hell of a drug” but it sounds like their drug of choice is even worse.
Second, I hadn’t heard anything about those train robberies. That’s fascinating and distressing. And I suspect it’s happening in other places as well, but the news really isn’t getting out.
Finally, after that conversation I bet you’re glad you were only having him take you to the airport and not all the way home. 🤣
I was very glad that it was just an airport run! But with the right Lyft driver I'd totally do a six-hour trip. Heck, I'd do a cross country trip with a stranger, if they were cool. As for the train robberies, I don't know if they're happening elsewhere or not. I've been following this story closely and I suspect it's happening here in Los Angeles because such a large percentage of imports runs through the ports of Long Beach and LA. For what it's worth, I did see some national coverage, but those stories tended to be about fitting the train robberies into a narrative, whereas the local stories tended to be much more fact-focused.
“Oh! Why didn’t you say Facebook was your source in the first place?”
“Because you wouldn’t have believed me. That’s why.”
“Don’t worry about it. I didn’t believe anyway.”
Brilliant! We could save ourselves a lot of time by always first asking - "Wait a minute - are you on Facebook? Okay then, shut up." I love your work, Mr Estrin. I aspire to write like you do. Sharron at LEAVES.
This is the first article of yours I ever read ( back in February). I read them all now, but this one remains my favorite. Brilliant. Sharron
That's so awesome to hear, Sharron! I guess it's true, you never forget your first :)
Um...well...ah... that may be an entirely different story. But definitely a good writing topic for YOU, I would love to hear about your first. Your first anything. S
My husband has a friend like your driver. Any urban myth, conspiracy theory or half-heard nut-job nonsense that he runs across gets stuck in his head never to be let go of. We've learned to just let him ramble on because it's not possible to shake his belief that facts really exist. I hadn't heard about the trains being looted so thanks for another side of the supply-chain problem. It's probably happening here too -- in Vancouver Canada -- but there's nothing in the news.
It must be exhausting to be friends with someone like that. I have some pretty kooky friends, but I don't think I have the patience to be friends with someone who goes all-in on all the big conspiracy theories.
We survived raising 4 very dynamic opinionated children that taught us how to look for the good and write off the nonsense. This friend has some truly wonderful qualities and a kind heart. We just hope he doesn't go down any of his rabbit holes when he comes by. When he does, we just go "oh really", or "wow that's strange" or some variation of of what he's saying. He stops after a bit. He just needs to have someone listen.
That's a wonderful lesson! And I think you bring up a good point. I read somewhere that a lot of conspiracy theory believers are very attracted by the identity and community that comes with their beliefs.
We all want to belong somewhere. Remember the theme song from Cheers? -- where everybody knows your name? Sometimes that longing takes someone down a path the rest of us thinks strange -- like cults, aliens run US government, flat-earthers, whatever. Have you heard the old one-liner everyone here is crazy save thee and me and I'm not too sure about thee? I heard it first from my grandmom in the fifties. It's all a matter of perspective.
beautifully put! and yes, I often think of Cheers and it's wonderful theme song.
I love your driver posts! My policy though is to just agree with everything they say. It makes them say things that are even weirder.
PS my favorite part is at the start when he notes that one does run the risk of not getting a return fare from LA to Vegas
Thank you! I usually try to employ a yes / and technique from improv comedy to keep people talking, but this guy was just too much to take.
Wow, so many things to comment on here. First, I was going to say, “Fox News is a hell of a drug” but it sounds like their drug of choice is even worse.
Second, I hadn’t heard anything about those train robberies. That’s fascinating and distressing. And I suspect it’s happening in other places as well, but the news really isn’t getting out.
Finally, after that conversation I bet you’re glad you were only having him take you to the airport and not all the way home. 🤣
I was very glad that it was just an airport run! But with the right Lyft driver I'd totally do a six-hour trip. Heck, I'd do a cross country trip with a stranger, if they were cool. As for the train robberies, I don't know if they're happening elsewhere or not. I've been following this story closely and I suspect it's happening here in Los Angeles because such a large percentage of imports runs through the ports of Long Beach and LA. For what it's worth, I did see some national coverage, but those stories tended to be about fitting the train robberies into a narrative, whereas the local stories tended to be much more fact-focused.
“Oh! Why didn’t you say Facebook was your source in the first place?”
“Because you wouldn’t have believed me. That’s why.”
“Don’t worry about it. I didn’t believe anyway.”
Brilliant! We could save ourselves a lot of time by always first asking - "Wait a minute - are you on Facebook? Okay then, shut up." I love your work, Mr Estrin. I aspire to write like you do. Sharron at LEAVES.
Thank you, Sharron!