Rob, this post sums up why I'm a paid subscriber: your thoughtfulness, your rigour and honesty, your determined curiosity and your generous humanity - plus of course engaging writing about things that matter. I can't remember how I first heard about your writing (Twitter back in the day?), but I do remember meeting you briefly at an event in London for Troubled, and how kind and helpful you were when I asked for advice about a troubled family member. I signed up to your newsletter, and found the same depth and humanity and humour. My troubled family member read your memoir, and I think it helped. For myself, I have learned so much from your posts & conversations, and very much look forward to reading Luxury Beliefs. Thank you!
I have been a free subscriber of yours for a while, and my hesitation to upgrade to paid has been because I already pay for too many subscriptions and I don't have time to read them all. I just upgraded to pay for your newsletter because I so appreciate all the free information you provided in today's newsletter, without a paywall. It sounds counter-intuitive, I know. But I appreciate who you are and how you share your knowledge with us — with humility and intelligence. Thank you!
I have been a paid subscriber for a while after coming across something you wrote. Also, I will be passing through your old childhood city of Red Bluff today on the way to my cabin in the mountains and I found that extra connection with you interesting... especially given the low socioeconomic circumstances of that community. I came from a semi-broken home situation and low "trailer-park" housing origins and made a successful life for myself, so I share your perspective on many things.
You have a gift and a great niche in subject matter expertise that I believe is maybe part of the most important conversation we should all be having today. That 3-person panel of young upper-class liberals moralizing "microtheft", the applauding of the killing of the healthcare CEO, the applauding of the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the trend for youth opinion to beat older people and take their stuff... it is all quite alarming and cause for some counter action.
I think that counter action is to have younger people like yourself out there helping to explain the social and psychological breaks taking place, to at least help others make sense of it. The term and theory of "Luxury Beliefs" is an example where you perpetuated an extremely important explanation that, frankly and hopefully, helps to wipe away the status points these people think they are earning.
Isn't it absolutely insane that we went from a common agreement that the humble, moral and kind person should be the honored recipient of high social praise and status, to a time when the trash ideas and behavior of those three young people is considered high-status?
Hi Rob, I appreciate your courage to place yourself as an independent, often contra “the post-modernist narrative.” Your “no thank you” to the false food of revisionist discourse from so called experts — among whom you were educated and against whom you bear no animosity except where they try to coerce instead of persuade — is exactly the example people need right now.
Rob, you have contributed critically important insights into the forces that shape our politics and institutions, eloquently separating the facts from the stated intentions of “elites” who influence every facet of our lives. From the perspective of a boomer who achieved significant academic and professional success, while also having come from a humble background, I am particularly grateful for your articulation of what I observed as I came up through the ranks (including your description of the NYT panel - as usual, pitch perfect). As far as I am concerned, your work should be required reading in any sociology course - and in other contexts, as well. Sincerely, one of your OG paid subscribers
The way you write and reason, something about your tone and perspective, feels like a conversation with a trusted friend. Your true voice is heard. Not sensationalized, no “growth agenda”, yet unveiling treasures of insight, digging and digging. I suspect your loyal audience can’t get enough as we know more is always there. It’s as if my mental voltage has turned up after reading you. Upgrading to paid if not already.
Rob, I agree one needs to read books for eternal ideas. I'd be interested in your take, however, on reading Substack or Twitter. I think Substack pieces often have very good insights. Twitter also may provide the occasional insight. What do you think?
Thanks for writing about your writing process! Love this post and it's made me glad that I'm a paid subscriber- in fact, the only substack I pay for! I asked on a different post but would you please do a post about your editing process? When you wrote Troubled, did you or editors help you make decisions on stories, openings, length, pacing, etc?
Great and clear-eyed look at how not to substack: eyes glued on the metrics, hacking away at the keyboard every day, and desperately trying to force community engagement. Substack is picking up momentum in Germany right now and everyone over here seems to be nervously asking: How can I increase my visibility? or: What should I write about?
I'll be restacking this, Rob, it's a much needed perspective.
Tremendous post by Rob Henderson as usual. I wonder if you think economic pessimism is a luxury belief. As I followed a similar path into academia I was struck by how negative my colleagues were about, well, EVERYTHING. Yet they mostly came from the best backgrounds. Optimism was seen as the naivety of the working class who could not see their own chains.
Rob, this post sums up why I'm a paid subscriber: your thoughtfulness, your rigour and honesty, your determined curiosity and your generous humanity - plus of course engaging writing about things that matter. I can't remember how I first heard about your writing (Twitter back in the day?), but I do remember meeting you briefly at an event in London for Troubled, and how kind and helpful you were when I asked for advice about a troubled family member. I signed up to your newsletter, and found the same depth and humanity and humour. My troubled family member read your memoir, and I think it helped. For myself, I have learned so much from your posts & conversations, and very much look forward to reading Luxury Beliefs. Thank you!
I have been a free subscriber of yours for a while, and my hesitation to upgrade to paid has been because I already pay for too many subscriptions and I don't have time to read them all. I just upgraded to pay for your newsletter because I so appreciate all the free information you provided in today's newsletter, without a paywall. It sounds counter-intuitive, I know. But I appreciate who you are and how you share your knowledge with us — with humility and intelligence. Thank you!
We are all rooting for you!
Nice collection of thoughts that provoke my thoughts! Thank you.
New subscriber, first-time poster. I echo Sharon's comment. Thank you and all the best.
I have been a paid subscriber for a while after coming across something you wrote. Also, I will be passing through your old childhood city of Red Bluff today on the way to my cabin in the mountains and I found that extra connection with you interesting... especially given the low socioeconomic circumstances of that community. I came from a semi-broken home situation and low "trailer-park" housing origins and made a successful life for myself, so I share your perspective on many things.
You have a gift and a great niche in subject matter expertise that I believe is maybe part of the most important conversation we should all be having today. That 3-person panel of young upper-class liberals moralizing "microtheft", the applauding of the killing of the healthcare CEO, the applauding of the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the trend for youth opinion to beat older people and take their stuff... it is all quite alarming and cause for some counter action.
I think that counter action is to have younger people like yourself out there helping to explain the social and psychological breaks taking place, to at least help others make sense of it. The term and theory of "Luxury Beliefs" is an example where you perpetuated an extremely important explanation that, frankly and hopefully, helps to wipe away the status points these people think they are earning.
Isn't it absolutely insane that we went from a common agreement that the humble, moral and kind person should be the honored recipient of high social praise and status, to a time when the trash ideas and behavior of those three young people is considered high-status?
Hi Rob, I appreciate your courage to place yourself as an independent, often contra “the post-modernist narrative.” Your “no thank you” to the false food of revisionist discourse from so called experts — among whom you were educated and against whom you bear no animosity except where they try to coerce instead of persuade — is exactly the example people need right now.
Rob, you have contributed critically important insights into the forces that shape our politics and institutions, eloquently separating the facts from the stated intentions of “elites” who influence every facet of our lives. From the perspective of a boomer who achieved significant academic and professional success, while also having come from a humble background, I am particularly grateful for your articulation of what I observed as I came up through the ranks (including your description of the NYT panel - as usual, pitch perfect). As far as I am concerned, your work should be required reading in any sociology course - and in other contexts, as well. Sincerely, one of your OG paid subscribers
The way you write and reason, something about your tone and perspective, feels like a conversation with a trusted friend. Your true voice is heard. Not sensationalized, no “growth agenda”, yet unveiling treasures of insight, digging and digging. I suspect your loyal audience can’t get enough as we know more is always there. It’s as if my mental voltage has turned up after reading you. Upgrading to paid if not already.
Rob, I agree one needs to read books for eternal ideas. I'd be interested in your take, however, on reading Substack or Twitter. I think Substack pieces often have very good insights. Twitter also may provide the occasional insight. What do you think?
Thanks for writing about your writing process! Love this post and it's made me glad that I'm a paid subscriber- in fact, the only substack I pay for! I asked on a different post but would you please do a post about your editing process? When you wrote Troubled, did you or editors help you make decisions on stories, openings, length, pacing, etc?
Great and clear-eyed look at how not to substack: eyes glued on the metrics, hacking away at the keyboard every day, and desperately trying to force community engagement. Substack is picking up momentum in Germany right now and everyone over here seems to be nervously asking: How can I increase my visibility? or: What should I write about?
I'll be restacking this, Rob, it's a much needed perspective.
Tremendous post by Rob Henderson as usual. I wonder if you think economic pessimism is a luxury belief. As I followed a similar path into academia I was struck by how negative my colleagues were about, well, EVERYTHING. Yet they mostly came from the best backgrounds. Optimism was seen as the naivety of the working class who could not see their own chains.
Best wishes