Good, old Twain and his quips. The one you cited is the best: "When in doubt, tell the truth." At work we had a post-mortem that added why: "That way you don't have to remember the lies you told."
There's a lot of lies being told these days....more than ever, maybe, and most in the name of getting more money. You'll find these lies on Twitter, too. Facebook is riddled with such lies and maintains a nuclear social media war...wherein we find the battle of "starz upon tharz." Dr. Suess warned us,but to no avail.
Far more worrisome is where Danté left the liars in his famous "Inferno". True? Who knows? But do you really want to take the risk?
Listen up! Find a Confessor...or, better yet, find a guide like Beatrice.
A dear friend once said to me "Ted, Wisdom is the accumulation of error". To that I said "If that is indeed the truth, this would make me the wisest man on the planet"...
Our personal level of stupidity is determined by how much of what we say in our heads we let leak out audibly for all to hear. It is also determined by the same control filter that says "Hold my beer".
Twitter, is that control filter with less restraint, allowing anyone with a keyboard and opposable thumbs to become one-liner comics, politicians and smart people. People who use Twitter on a regular basis I like to call "Twitties", which is long for "Twit", which speaks for itself. I rarely use the platform and when I do I prefer to be sarcastic, maybe sardonic and certainly smarmy. I like smarmy. But to be sarcastically smarmy....well.... now you're talkin'.
The new electronic commerce portals have helped me impressively. In the 199Os I sold "Doc Savage" and "The Shadow" paperbacks through a real advertisement in the Comics Buyer's Guide. The ad would ask people to send $2 for a master list of books for sale. Because of the time delay many books would sell while I had more checks coming in. Now, on eBay, once they sell, there are no worries about having to return checks!
The librarian's better off without him. I know those kind, they come in both sexes; psychic vampires that suck your energy and good will until you're exhausted. A leech she'd just end up babysitting through life. Ran away crying instead of showing the spine to become a real poet. I hope she ended up finding one. Thanks for another great column................Dean
I loved your bookstore in the basement, with cushy chairs in cozy nooks hugged by shelves of lovely, lively writing. When it closed, your new store was easier to access as we ferried our son to and from Macalester. Now he’s back here in Illinois and I don’t get to the Cities much. But I have sweet memories of your past bookstore and would be happy to see the return of such perfect places.
I worry about my grandkids as well Garrison. I worry if they say something considered offensive by a single person, they could be censored. I worry about politicians endorsing defunding our police departments. I worry about thieves, robbers and even murderers getting out of jail free cards. I worry about our Orwellian society - Disinformation Board - who decides what is disinformation - The Powers That Be? I worry that so many people seem to be going off the deep end now that a man who doesn't share their views has control of a social media source. I worry about living in a World in which the Media decides what I can and cannot hear. Yes, Garrison - I worry as well.
Thanks for another great column. It's always disappointing to see a bookshop close, but it also can be a good way to get rid of your excess cash. I buy and sell books online as more or less of a hobby. I used to sell on Amazon, but they censor books; they tell you to delete a certain book. So now I am boycotting Amazon for anything. Keep your wonderful wit and words coming; they bring joy to our ears desperate for enjoyment.
The wife should have told the truth about this one. In dreadful taste on COVID. Said as longtime fan.
Priceless, and now I'll shut up.
I laughed at this one, and normally I just find you snarky and sounding pissed off about dumb decisions made. Not bad.
It is amazing how G.K's wit turns the mountains that most people obsess about into insignificant molehills. Thank you!
Good, old Twain and his quips. The one you cited is the best: "When in doubt, tell the truth." At work we had a post-mortem that added why: "That way you don't have to remember the lies you told."
There's a lot of lies being told these days....more than ever, maybe, and most in the name of getting more money. You'll find these lies on Twitter, too. Facebook is riddled with such lies and maintains a nuclear social media war...wherein we find the battle of "starz upon tharz." Dr. Suess warned us,but to no avail.
Far more worrisome is where Danté left the liars in his famous "Inferno". True? Who knows? But do you really want to take the risk?
Listen up! Find a Confessor...or, better yet, find a guide like Beatrice.
A dear friend once said to me "Ted, Wisdom is the accumulation of error". To that I said "If that is indeed the truth, this would make me the wisest man on the planet"...
Our personal level of stupidity is determined by how much of what we say in our heads we let leak out audibly for all to hear. It is also determined by the same control filter that says "Hold my beer".
Twitter, is that control filter with less restraint, allowing anyone with a keyboard and opposable thumbs to become one-liner comics, politicians and smart people. People who use Twitter on a regular basis I like to call "Twitties", which is long for "Twit", which speaks for itself. I rarely use the platform and when I do I prefer to be sarcastic, maybe sardonic and certainly smarmy. I like smarmy. But to be sarcastically smarmy....well.... now you're talkin'.
Bravo, GK! You consistently expose the Emperor(s) for wearing couture. Thank you!
…..it’s spring and the goat-footed baloonMan whistles far & wee…..
If you can look at the bright side of COVID, then I can gaze on the bright side of Twitter: brevity is the soul of wit, and Trump was banished.
That was fun, thanks
The new electronic commerce portals have helped me impressively. In the 199Os I sold "Doc Savage" and "The Shadow" paperbacks through a real advertisement in the Comics Buyer's Guide. The ad would ask people to send $2 for a master list of books for sale. Because of the time delay many books would sell while I had more checks coming in. Now, on eBay, once they sell, there are no worries about having to return checks!
Bookshop ownership, even one with a coffee franchise, seems to be a safe way to make a small fortune from a big one. So sad. Thank you for the column.
The librarian's better off without him. I know those kind, they come in both sexes; psychic vampires that suck your energy and good will until you're exhausted. A leech she'd just end up babysitting through life. Ran away crying instead of showing the spine to become a real poet. I hope she ended up finding one. Thanks for another great column................Dean
Dear Garrison,
I loved your bookstore in the basement, with cushy chairs in cozy nooks hugged by shelves of lovely, lively writing. When it closed, your new store was easier to access as we ferried our son to and from Macalester. Now he’s back here in Illinois and I don’t get to the Cities much. But I have sweet memories of your past bookstore and would be happy to see the return of such perfect places.
I worry about my grandkids as well Garrison. I worry if they say something considered offensive by a single person, they could be censored. I worry about politicians endorsing defunding our police departments. I worry about thieves, robbers and even murderers getting out of jail free cards. I worry about our Orwellian society - Disinformation Board - who decides what is disinformation - The Powers That Be? I worry that so many people seem to be going off the deep end now that a man who doesn't share their views has control of a social media source. I worry about living in a World in which the Media decides what I can and cannot hear. Yes, Garrison - I worry as well.
You bring a smile Mr. Keillor. An organic face lift. Thanks in perpetuity ☺️
Thanks for another great column. It's always disappointing to see a bookshop close, but it also can be a good way to get rid of your excess cash. I buy and sell books online as more or less of a hobby. I used to sell on Amazon, but they censor books; they tell you to delete a certain book. So now I am boycotting Amazon for anything. Keep your wonderful wit and words coming; they bring joy to our ears desperate for enjoyment.