JoeWrote January Roundup
Top Posts, Memes, Movie + Book Recs, & Other Assorted Nonsense
It was a great month for JoeWrote! Thanks to all our new and returning readers. Enjoy your Sunday! - Joe
January’s Top Posts
With over 18,000 reads, this explainer on the post-Capitalist nature of Socialism is one of my top articles.
Many new readers subscribed after reading this post on why workers always deserve a raise.
Thankfully, Damar Hamlin survived the cardiac arrest he suffered during a recent Monday Night Football game. I wrote about how Mr. Hamlin and other players deserve the solidarity we show to non-famous workers.
Quote of the Month
When W.E.B. Du Bois was admitted as the first man to attend Harvard, he dropped this all-time banger.
“The honor, I assure you, was Harvard’s."
Absolute legend.
Media Appearances
I went on The Intervention podcast to talk about U.S. and U.K. involvement in the Greek Civil War. You can listen here.
I wrote a piece for Denver’s Westword magazine about the city’s new anti-wage theft bill. You can read it here.
Book & Movie Recommendations
I received Amor Towles’s The Lincoln Highway as a Christmas gift, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. The opening chapters up an expected story of two brothers traveling to California, but things quickly take an unexpected turn. If you appreciate in-depth character development, this book is for you.
I wasn’t expecting much from The Menu when I chose it as my in-flight movie, but I must say I was pleasantly surprised. The trailer presents it as “Squid Game meets Top Chef,” but the characters and story were much more developed than the marketing gives it credit for. Definitely a horror-esque movie, so avoid it if you’re squeamish.
Worth a Read
On the heels of the murder of Tyre Nichols by the Memphis Police Department, I suggest this piece from The New York Times detailing a massive police misconduct payout. Remember, American taxpayers pick up the tab for cops’ maliciousness.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/02/nyregion/new-york-police-department-misconduct-settlements.html
To no one’s surprise, Elon Musk is removing links to a documentary criticizing Modi’s treatment of India’s Muslim minority. From The Intercept:
From the Archives
Before Columbus Day, I wrote about how CC was a POS as judged by the standards of his own time.
Top Comment
Each month’s top commenter will receive a free month of premium access. Add your thoughts in the comments section for your chance to win!
This month’s top commenter was Bob Giolito who added this comment to the piece Surplus Value Explained: Why You Always Deserve a Raise.
Aren't you missing the fact that owner Joe purchased the goods, tools, and the factory that enabled the workers to produce the shoes? Should he just do all that for free?
This is a great question, which sparked my follow-up response (linked below). Thanks for participating Bob, and enjoy your free subscription!
Metrics
JoeWrote gained about 55 subscribers this month, putting us just under the 600-mark. (As I write this, the subscriber count stands at 599.) This was a pretty good month. Thanks to you all for allowing me to occupy space in your inbox!
Memes, and other Assorted Nonsense
“Which way, Western man?”
As the George Santos saga continues, feel free to use this meme as necessary.
Check out this insane book I found.
A thread I made about some of the cultural and economic differences I noticed during my trip to Europe. (I’m still jet-lagged. Apologies if there are typos in this post.)
I’ve been playing around with Tik Tok lately.
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And if you made it this far, you might as well subscribe.
Interestingly (or not) almost all European carriers outsource at level much higher than in the US (I'm speaking of customer facing roles here; ramp, ticket agents, etc.).
Good one Joe!