Written by Lambert Strether of Corrente.
I'm happy to write this article. It's not just to thank our readers. Because when you're using a water cooler, you're almost always putting your nose to the grindstone and thinking about the noise and flying sparks. , rather than a greater purpose. First, I would like to report on the numbers. Next, I'd like to quote some kind words that readers like you have written about Water Cooler (there are many, but I didn't quote them because they probably say something like: Too many). Finally, I'll look at the „greater purpose“ of the water cooler, to the best of my understanding of my own practice, although it may not be perfect.Of course, you can also access it directly. tip jar.
About numbers: As of this writing, we are at 328. That's (let me use the calculator) 82% of my goal. Therefore, we are very close to success, which speaks volumes about our mutual tenacity.I would appreciate it if you could donate even if you haven't already. please do so now, we hope to reach 400 in the next few hours.please remind me that you are compensating me for work already done I hope I can do it for you (and next year as well). So, if you can give me some, give a little. If you can give me a lot, please dig deep!
kind words from readers:
Longtime reader MR shared this in the comments about Water Cooler's election coverage:
I'll never forget how you predicted Trump's victory based on careful tracking of real numbers and listening to experienced tracking (and explanations) and voters on the ground. . Your views on Bernie from his first announcement to now are wise and fair, and very serious about all other candidates. I'm sure he'll call you again this time.
Maybe next time I'll „call“. Alan Richtman. But at this point all I'm looking for is volatility. But I think sharing my close reading and critical thinking skills (along with over 20 years of anecdotes, sayings, and jokes) is more important than making phone calls.
Reader No Spam likes my yellow waders:
I always found yellow wader material in the alley. When you find your target, we at North Carolina will benefit from your excellent cognitive work. This is a rarity in these superficial days.
This also applies to coverage of covid. Dig, dig, spread out. Compare, ask questions, and blame when necessary. It's even more appreciated now because the coronavirus is so important and information is hard to come by. .
When you make an effort to parse the institution of a topic that is often deliberately obfuscated by Yellow Shorebirds, it encourages your own critical and analytical thinking. It is an island sanctuary of thought. An example of doing something more difficult than most people do. Whatever appeals to you.
Reader SK:
Water Cooler is always great with great links.I came to take a political and social examination, but the content related to the new coronavirus will save lives.
Reader georgia b agrees with the watercooler's coronavirus coverage.
We especially appreciate your continued interest in the novel coronavirus. There is no doubt that you saved a life and certainly alleviated misery.
And reader Doug Rogers said:
However, all of this has been completely overshadowed by your continued efforts against the coronavirus. Your information has kept me and my wife safe and free from the coronavirus. I'm very happy with that. I wouldn't judge you harshly if you replaced the chirping of birds with the sound of an armpit fart.
Longhaul readers shared the following important comments:
I just want to say, your reporting has meant so much to me, suffering alone and in silence, and having to demand that my medical „providers“ do something. It meant the difference in noticing. I contacted everyone I could think of and finally found a doctor who listened and was fully aware. She diagnosed my symptoms as long corona. Then, sadly for me, she became overwhelmed and left my health care provider/clinic. No one else fills her shoes. Eventually, I was invited to participate in one of the NIH studies. My body fluids were sent to a clinic in County Mayo and I was registered as patient 0001. You (we) have the right to criticize. But my participation is also a blessing in that we participants have weekly (Zoom) group sessions. It's a cure, but an improvement over what would otherwise have been a kind of isolation. I have now met several other people with similar but also unique stories. As you know, cognitive impairment affects someone. Those of us who suffer are confused and basically lack confidence in ourselves. There's no better way to silence someone than by invalidating their perception and confidence. I could go on, but I'll stop for your time. But again, because of your persistence and research, I've found that my condition is more manageable and my life is better than it would have been otherwise. Thank you again.
Finally, reader Darius:
There's nothing that made me think, „I wish Lambert had done it differently.“ I feel I need to read Water Cooler every day. I think the pitch is perfect too. Not only informative, but also entertaining. No ideas for improvement. I guess I wasn't very helpful here. But thank you for your question.
So reader Darius says, even though there are so many people out there, „please don't change anything!“ But I'll do it, I'll do it! So if any of these comments match your experience last year and you want to send a message that you should continue with Water Cooler next year, Please go to the tip jar and give. Do what you can (perhaps pay it forward for those who can't donate).
the purpose (And I mean more than just snark).
I have not developed a unified theory of water coolers.In fact, my pointillist I'm working from very granular materials to discover larger designs, so this method pretty much forbids that. That being said, there is a Chinese word that means „crisis,“ and that written form is much loved by airport bookstore business book authors. here it is. Next he has two characters.
(Mandarin readers of the notes will definitely correct me here. My knowledge here is: As deep as Wikipedia. )
A typical MBA understands the first letter to mean danger and the second letter to mean opportunity (apparently, JFK was the first to express this profundity). And for them, „opportunity“ means profit (example).
However, the first letter is „unstable“ in this context and the second letter is „inflection point“ (or perhaps according to military art „vertex„the point at which a military force is no longer able to conduct operations due to significant supply failures, enemy resistance, or the need for rest“).
The combination of „instability“ and „high point“ appears to be critical to the spiraling collapse of the US, and by extension, the global system, in both the electoral politics and coronavirus crises covered by Water Cooler. PMC’s struggle “predatory instability”, and in the case of coronavirus, due to catastrophic failure, and in the case of electoral politics, due to stagnation, corruption and alienation (one common indicator for each is a decline in life expectancy). And it feels like our failures, both with the coronavirus and politics, have just come to a head (“Estragon: I can’t go on like this. Vladimir: That’s what you think.” – Samuel Beckett , Waiting for Godot).
It seems to me that the tension between instability and apex is consistent throughout The Water Cooler (of course, this may change). And inevitably, this tension will be resolved in some way, perhaps in a small way, ideally influenced by collective action. We are in a precarious position in the midst of a huge, rapidly changing and protracted process. The culmination of that process may be predictable, but result We cannot see or know. Too much complexity! (At this point you may recall the argument that the fall of the Roman Empire was somewhat mitigated by the end of Rome as a slave society. For my part, I would very much like to remain a serf, but of course I will In fact, we're all hoping for a happier outcome for our current times. ) All we can do is try hard to understand and try our best every day. specifically To protect ourselves, our loved ones, and the group of people we share compassion with. We hope that Water Cooler will be useful for both understanding (theory) and concrete measures (practice). And because I have to say it, The hint jar is below. Now, back to the grindstone!
Please update, I hope this intrusion is not completely overdone. I didn't need to explain anything before.
To clarify the business relationship, Eve writes:
Water Cooler is another store within Naked Capitalism, meant to pay for (Lambert's) hard work, and above all for the work he's already done on the site… Yes, Lambert's annual In addition to Water Cooler, he also receives compensation from fundraising efforts, including DJing for the site, helping manage the comments section, managing many technical issues, and doing other „business“ work. I do a fair amount of work, including helping with the problem of running the company.
The screen that appears is as follows. I have added annotations for your reference.
If you don't like PayPal, email us at lambert (UNDERSCORE) strether (DOT) corrente (AT) yahoo (DOT) com and we'll show you how to send a check. thank you! Note: I really, really don't recommend using checks. USPS can't seem to put them in the proper box and I have no choice (I think they are trying to close the branch due to real estate development). PayPal has a fee, but OTOH there's no hassle or loss.