Ann Friedman - Space Mountain adults

Surprise Me

November 10, 2023

An upward gaze at many levels of overhanging balcony, almost looks like an abstract print

The Hyatt in SF really is psychedelic.

As a kid I always disliked rollercoasters—the anticipation of climbing up a huge incline, that harrowing moment at the precipice, the sickening stomach-drop. I hated it all. And then a few years ago, I rode Space Mountain with my friend Nikki. I think I knew that the ride was all in the dark, but I didn't expect that to make a difference.

Whew, did it make a difference. In the inky black of Space Mountain, I was not eyeing the loops ahead or clenching my stomach in anticipation. I was just a body being tossed around. Glorious! When the ride ended, I was crying. Happy tears, I think. (No, this did not succeed in turning me into a Disney Adult, but I do identify as a Space Mountain Adult.)

I thought about Space Mountain again this week when I read Jon Mooallem's interview with people who plan to be launched into space when they die. I get it. The comfort of the dark. The whirls and drops of the unknown with no dread or anticipation. The joy of the void.

Starting next week, I'm taking some time away from the standard link-centric format of this newsletter to bring you essays for awhile. I'll tell you more about it next Friday. You don't need to see all the loops ahead, you'll know when you find yourself upside down.

-AF

READ

Lex McMenamin reports on how young Floridians are fighting “Florida-grown fascism” under Ron DeSantis.

Sari Bashi on the harrowing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Etgar Keret on trying to find the words: "My mother says I’ll never be able to understand what it’s like for a nation to be without a country... My Palestinian friend Ghassan says I’ll never be able to understand what it’s like for a nation to live under occupation." And a syllabus of fiction about the Displaced Person.

"Anger can be explosive. It can ignite social movements and chip away at calcified ideas about sex, gender, class, and race. It’s also fair to say that when women express it—or are accused of expressing it—they’re easily, sometimes viciously, mocked and derided." Anna Holmes on who is and isn't responsible for "outrage culture" online.

Gaby Del Valle chronicles environmental radicalism—and the war on ecoterror—on both the left and the right.

The history of Erewhon—the influencer-favorite $20 smoothie purveyor—as chronicled by Kerry Howley. I love a business backstory on an old but newly trendy brand. See also: Dr. Bronner's, Lao Gan Ma, Bragg's, Weleda, Huy Fong Sriracha.

What's the point of "pretendian" investigations? Michelle Cyca asks: Entertainment or justice?

Xochitl Gonzalez on aging into a "Doña body," deciding to change it, and making peace with getting older.

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A MOMENT

A screenshot of young John Waters, with dark hair and his signature thin mustache, holding a cigarette to his lips

"Anti-smoking" PSA from John Waters really captures how most things designed to dissuade you from bad behavior actually end up tantalizing.

THE CLASSIFIEDS

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Will taking eight showers a day make you a great writer?
Find out the answer to this and other questions about creativity, art, and life on Still Human — the newsletter for anyone who wants to fall back in love with being a person.

Friends of NYC! Join me on 11/21 in the city to celebrate the launch of my new book "Get Unstuck!" and enjoy a panel of great speakers talking about all things entrepreneurship, equal opportunities, taking the leap, and creativity. Spots (and goodie bags) are limited! Sign up now!

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ENDORSEMENT

A few newsletters that might be new to you:

For Scale, which gives me all of the voicey design commentary of Blackbird Spyplane while provoking none of the annoyance. (Sorry!) It's about interiors but so much more, and I always look forward to opening it.

Phoebe Connelly's Diptychs, for fans of Read Like the Wind who also love visual art and film. Phoebe's pairings and prose are delightful, and she helps me renew my commitment to reading books that aren't new releases.

Anti-Racism Daily, for ways to take action and think more constructively about my despairing reactions to the news. I often open this right after I've read the newspaper headlines, and it often gives me an important new framing and a fresh action to take.

TESTIMONIALS

"I also love your newsletter. Thank you for all that you do and all that you are." -A. Sometimes your replies really are love notes, and I appreciate every one.

This newsletter is sailing through the inky black.

Forward it to someone who doesn't need to brace for the loop.

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