It has been ages since I did a question-and-answer film. A request for questions, and suddenly I have too many for one film. Thank you to those who sent their questions. Remember, I’m one guy with one opinion, so take this for what it’s worth. We cover a combination of photography/photobook questions, mixed with several questions about gloves, motorcycles, and the current state of affairs in America. As you would imagine, the American part could take up the next thousand films, but my take is a general one that tries to cover the underlying issues with this little nation of ours. Most of my days are question-and-answer days. Problems appear. Solutions are schemed. Questions are answered.
Comments 14
I watched this video and enjoyed, for the 60th time, appreciated the fact that I agree with nearly everything you said. Especially, especially, especially about education. I see you as a more articulate, more talented, and much more successful version of myself. No envy here; just an observation worth calling out. And a compliment. Take it on the chin and move on my friend.
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Thanks Jon. Education is such a strange bird now. It is revisionist and political, depending on where you are. Textbooks being rewritten to fit political narrative. Where I”m at today, it’s about Texas/Mexico and that history. Where I live, it’s about Native Americans not being here before us, and a total rewrite of abuses. The church is doing the same. Crazies.
My god, I saw the walkie on the video thumbnail and laughed out loud for real.
Other highlights: Jamaican Thundercloud, Wedding Crashers “meatloaf!” reference.
I’ll have to watch this a couple time to really absorb it fully.
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Those are all my favorite things….
Danielsan, Q & A’s are always a favorite…Will Ferrell forever.
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He’s a God among men.
Wel…I am baffled! How come that you see the reasons for the state of the US so logically and clearly…yet soooo many of your fellow Americans…just don’t get it?
I write from Europe and we look across the big pond and just shake our heads every day.
Not everything is fine and dandy over here either…but yet again the US goes beyond everything/everybody else.
Only in America.
I love your brutal honesty and enjoy watching. Thank you for sharing.
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We radicalized ourselves over the time we were fighting overseas wars. We are on our way to rock bottom.
It certainly appears that the private part of the education system is broken as well, with all those egotistical weirdos and their pseudo-Darwinian world view.
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It’s education in general. Private is broken with the cost alone. There are amazing programs out there, but most are out of reach.
Divide & Rule……A phrase often used by the British in India to maintain the exploitation of religion and society there. There are many things the US president does that horrify me, but his rude dismissal of the ABC journalist asking about Jamal Kashoggi was unforgivable. The first rule for any democracy is the rule of law. Once that gets trashed, you’re lost. America is a fantastic country, with fantastic people, run by Oligarchs and sycophants, pretty much like Russia. As you say, you’ll have to go through the pain… and hopefully come out the other end rid of poison. The west has a dearth of imaginative, morally sound and charismatic leaders….just when we need one, or two.
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Yes. Watching him coddle and fondle dictators and despots is sickening. He’s such a puss who is playing strongman. Putin absolutely owns him. The right talks so tough, but what I’ve seen is nothing more than a bunch of cowards. Afraid of women, progress, and just about everything else. The left is soft too, but the right has entirely lost their bearings.
I’ve been playing catch up with your blog, and as always, enjoying what I find.
As a Canadian, I’ll stay clear of the political discussion. We’re just hoping we can stay safe while the US goes through… whatever this ends up being.
But! I can offer some potential insight for those wondering about gloves. I feel like I’m well set to comment on this having grown up in Toronto (where it’s sometimes cold) to now living outside of Ottawa, across the river in Quebec, which has completely redefined the notion of “cold.”
For most of the colder months, when I am active and need some level of dexterity (including using my camera), I’ve actually found that mechanic style work gloves that are designed with dexterity in mind are ideal. Alone, they are not warm, but go one size up, and buy liner gloves from your favourite outdoor brand, and they are transformed. For days that hover around freezing, I use the thinest liners I have under the work gloves. The midweight ones are good under the work gloves down to -10 or -15degC for low energy activity, and good to about -20degC when I ride my bike to work. Below that, and there are other heavier gloves or mitts I’ll use. But the work gloves are what I wear most of the time. Heavy duty leather palms and fingers so they hold up really well for years of use, enough dexterity for camera use, and enough breathability for higher output activity. Treat the leather for waterproofing, and you’re set. You also can easily launder the liner gloves so things don’t get so gross.
It’s also worth noting that waterproof gloves seem great, but in my experience are overrated. At cold temperatures, waterproof gloves – even goretex ones – can get clammy. You need something windproof that stays breathable, so the sweat can be minimized.
It’s just like dressing your body for the cold – layers are your friend.
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I do most of what you mention. I’ve got liners from another pair that I use under a variety of gloves. I’ve also found that when it comes to menus and buttons, the gloves come off…no matter the pair.