Ear-Witness Report from the Twitter Tasting

Alan from the Good Beer Blog is another of those interesting contrarian guys (at least I assume he's a guy; I've never met him), and he's got a completely-worth-reading take on yesterday's Twitter beer tasting. I didn't partake, of course, for reasons noted here and here -- but now, well, geez, Alan's almost made a convert of me.

Timely Commentary: In Defense of Introverts

Apropos my mash note to Andy Crouch, this from the always entertaining Alan Jacobs on the "fascism of Facebook," as he calls it. He links to this 2003 essay in the New Atlantic, which contains this spot-on summary of me, er, of the introvert:

Do you know someone who needs hours alone every day? Who . . . can give a dynamite presentation to a big audience, but seems awkward in groups and maladroit at small talk? Who has to be dragged to parties and then needs the rest of the day to recuperate? Who growls or scowls or grunts or winces when accosted with pleasantries by people who are just trying to be nice? . . . If you answered yes to these questions, chances are that you have an introvert on your hands . . . ."

Introverts of the world, rise up against the tyranny of extroversion. Seize your solitude!

Now Playing . . .

. . . Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone. Tear-inducing.

Why I Like Andy Crouch; or The Contrarian View of Twitter and Taste

I try to cooperate. I try to do the right thing. But the sad fact is that, at heart, I'm not a group person. (I lasted a grand total of one week in Girl Scouts.

There's a reason I was put on earth to do history and write. Both require, well, not-groups...)

So, yes, I wonder about this whole facebook-myspace-twitter thing. (*1) "Wonder" meaning: I find them intellectually fascinating, but I don't engage in them myself. (*2) The internet and its associated spin-offs are fascinating. They constitute fundamental aspects of life in modern America and what I "do" is ponder life in these United States. That's what my books are about.

Ponder being the operative word. I observe rather than participate. (I know. Some of you are saying "Get over yourself. Get out there. Do it!" But really, it's not my nature.)

But if a pal wants to engage in life-as-we-know-it, I say, hey, have at it. Here's the info. And then along comes Andy Crouch, who says "I'm having none of it." A curmudgeon after my own heart. (*3)

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*1: According to Andy's post, the act of using twitter is "tweeting." Who knew?

*2: I'm on facebook or one of those sites because my step-daughter and son-in-law recently had a baby and they use it to share photos and news about him. I'm not sure which site it is because I bookmarked their page and otherwise never use the site. I'm also on Linked In, only because I had a lot of invitations and "being there" doesn't require much effort. Yes, I know. I need to get with the program, and eventually I will, but for now, well, the fact that I'm even writing and posting this (ie, I'm "blogging") is progress.

*3: I've never met Andy Crouch. Wouldn't know him if he walked in the room right now. Have no idea what he's like as a human being, except that, near as I can tell, he's a contrarian and a curmudgeon. Just like me.

The IMPORTANT Playoff Games. No, Not Football. Beer!

Here ya go, sports fans. What you really need to know for this weekend's playoff games. Why yes, I do deserve an award for being so diligent in my coverage of the cure-for-insomnia. Tip o' the mug to John Bolster (who co-authored the piece).

Senator Lew Bryson?

And apropos of absolutely nothing, except that it's funny and I'm all for funny, Lew Bryson is offering his services as next Senator from the state of New York. Knowing Lew (not, frankly, that I know him; I've only met him in passing), he's probably half-serious. And it's not a bad idea. It's as good, at any rate, as what's otherwise on offer in the great state of New York.