It is such a relief to read such a thoughtful, well-expressed essay in a time when my mouth seems to continually open in shock and my mind numb at the crass, callous, ignorant and consistently vulgar expressions uttered by the Commander in Chief and those who serve with him.
The tragedy of his legacy is that he agreed to lead the probe into whether Donald Trump colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election.
The Russian collusion fiasco was one of the great political frauds in U.S. history. It’s a shame Mueller’s long record of service was marred by ill-judged decisions made in this era of acrimony and confusion.
Mueller's legacy will not be marred. Historians ands scholars in the future will analyze the facts and write the truth for history. Unfortunately, we are now so focused on the present moment without the benefit of history's lessons.
I'm a 75 yr old man, married for 51 years, with 2 adult children. Raised by a single mom who left her husband who struck her a few times. No contact with my father until I was 30 and thanked my Mom for leaving him. I turned to Nightingale Conant for tapes and the library to figure out how to be better at stuff. Read a ton of books. This is way before the net and the influencers. IME there's really nothing that much new to understand how to navigate the dilemmas of life in every phase, Yes there are new scientific and sociological studies that offer new perspectives. Yet to be a human - be of service, help others, do your job, volunteer, cut and trim your grass, live simply, avoid clothing labels, and figure out how to take care of your home (like painting and caulking - things that matter). Nobody cares what you wear and if this matters get new friends. Learn how to grill, or make a great Manhattan. Take pleasure in sticking your tongue out kids in the grocery store, and smiling and winking at old old folks. Have fun, be funny, smile, get your head out of the clouds and your ass. Life happens out there. Planning happens inside. All the dilemmas that really matter someone has already written a book about how to address them. The library is your best friend. Use the net to learn who and go and buy or rent their book. One's life is about solving problems and understanding who we are and what we want to do. Alfred Adler said it well about life, "who am I, who are you and what's this thing about sex?" No need to get complicated. Lift weights, don't eat crap, get hammered every now and then and show up on time and do more than expected. Most of all - smile
This is a very good eulogy of a great life where character rose to the top and integrity paid off. However, in portraying Trump as Mueller's opposite, you're ignoring that they were playing different games. Mueller wasn't a politician. Trump is using the same branding exercises that made Obama, who was incompetent, and nursed on the milk of hating America, from weather underground terrorists, Jeremiah Wright and Rashid Khalidi, and yet won elections over patriots and men with proven character like John MacCain and Mitt Romney. (I doubt those two would have gifted billions to Iran or appeased Assad). So you can bemoan the president's lack of character all you want, but unless you were as vocal about Obama, it doesn't hold much weight. The political game is what it is, and right now, nice guys/decent people finish last. But that's not a new thing.
I watched the Inside the Manosphere documentary, and I was appalled by how shallow the movement's ideals are. What a terrible example for young men to follow.
Really interesting piece. The idea that masculinity is evolving toward connection and emotional honesty resonates.
It’s funny how this shows up in music too - even in unexpected places. Songs like Sløtface’s “For the Boys” are almost poking at those same expectations from a different angle.
Culture always seems to get there alongside the conversation.
Donald Trump did not just dodge the Vietnam-era draft. He also claimed later that avoiding getting an STD from all the women he had sex with was his "Vietnam."
He said this many years after Vietnam (1997 on the Howard Stern show), fully conscious of the fact that many poor kids who did not dodge the draft like he did had died in Vietnam.
In every possible way, Trump represents the absolute worst kind of human being.
Wow what an excellent piece. Thank you @ScottGalloway - again
Good stuff brother! True masculinity is the protector of humanity…
It is such a relief to read such a thoughtful, well-expressed essay in a time when my mouth seems to continually open in shock and my mind numb at the crass, callous, ignorant and consistently vulgar expressions uttered by the Commander in Chief and those who serve with him.
I love the line " but real influence comes from planting trees whose shade you’ll never sit under." Thanks Scott.
One of the most profound and well written pieces by Scott G. And something worthy of sending on to my sons - #thank you ProfG
Scott's words bring back master lyricist John Prine in "Big Old Goofy World:
Kiss a little baby, give the world a smile
And if you take an inch, give 'em back a mile
'Cause if you lie like a rug, and you don't give a damn
You're never gonna be ... happy as a clam
The tragedy of his legacy is that he agreed to lead the probe into whether Donald Trump colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election.
The Russian collusion fiasco was one of the great political frauds in U.S. history. It’s a shame Mueller’s long record of service was marred by ill-judged decisions made in this era of acrimony and confusion.
Mueller's legacy will not be marred. Historians ands scholars in the future will analyze the facts and write the truth for history. Unfortunately, we are now so focused on the present moment without the benefit of history's lessons.
I'm a 75 yr old man, married for 51 years, with 2 adult children. Raised by a single mom who left her husband who struck her a few times. No contact with my father until I was 30 and thanked my Mom for leaving him. I turned to Nightingale Conant for tapes and the library to figure out how to be better at stuff. Read a ton of books. This is way before the net and the influencers. IME there's really nothing that much new to understand how to navigate the dilemmas of life in every phase, Yes there are new scientific and sociological studies that offer new perspectives. Yet to be a human - be of service, help others, do your job, volunteer, cut and trim your grass, live simply, avoid clothing labels, and figure out how to take care of your home (like painting and caulking - things that matter). Nobody cares what you wear and if this matters get new friends. Learn how to grill, or make a great Manhattan. Take pleasure in sticking your tongue out kids in the grocery store, and smiling and winking at old old folks. Have fun, be funny, smile, get your head out of the clouds and your ass. Life happens out there. Planning happens inside. All the dilemmas that really matter someone has already written a book about how to address them. The library is your best friend. Use the net to learn who and go and buy or rent their book. One's life is about solving problems and understanding who we are and what we want to do. Alfred Adler said it well about life, "who am I, who are you and what's this thing about sex?" No need to get complicated. Lift weights, don't eat crap, get hammered every now and then and show up on time and do more than expected. Most of all - smile
You'd be a good person to know. Bravo.
You lost me when you implied that it was noble to volunteer for the Vietnam War. A black mark on your credibility.
This is a very good eulogy of a great life where character rose to the top and integrity paid off. However, in portraying Trump as Mueller's opposite, you're ignoring that they were playing different games. Mueller wasn't a politician. Trump is using the same branding exercises that made Obama, who was incompetent, and nursed on the milk of hating America, from weather underground terrorists, Jeremiah Wright and Rashid Khalidi, and yet won elections over patriots and men with proven character like John MacCain and Mitt Romney. (I doubt those two would have gifted billions to Iran or appeased Assad). So you can bemoan the president's lack of character all you want, but unless you were as vocal about Obama, it doesn't hold much weight. The political game is what it is, and right now, nice guys/decent people finish last. But that's not a new thing.
I agree more with you than you do with yourself. Bravo.
I watched the Inside the Manosphere documentary, and I was appalled by how shallow the movement's ideals are. What a terrible example for young men to follow.
I thought I was the only one. Bravo.
Really interesting piece. The idea that masculinity is evolving toward connection and emotional honesty resonates.
It’s funny how this shows up in music too - even in unexpected places. Songs like Sløtface’s “For the Boys” are almost poking at those same expectations from a different angle.
Culture always seems to get there alongside the conversation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJaeOhLSYDQ&list=RDjJaeOhLSYDQ&start_radio=1
Donald Trump did not just dodge the Vietnam-era draft. He also claimed later that avoiding getting an STD from all the women he had sex with was his "Vietnam."
He said this many years after Vietnam (1997 on the Howard Stern show), fully conscious of the fact that many poor kids who did not dodge the draft like he did had died in Vietnam.
In every possible way, Trump represents the absolute worst kind of human being.
Thanks for the honest mirror. My Dad was a smart MAN. He taught his sons to always leave the campgrounds cleaner than you found them.
Truly excellent, well written and considered. Thank you!
Always enjoy your Friday comments, but particularly enjoyed those today about Robert Mueller. Well said. Keep up the good work.