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Chris—after reading your latest submission, I finally pulled the trigger and became a paid subscriber. I left the world of academic economics decades ago — long before the advent of even usenet groups, never mind Twitter or EJMR. I too left the profession without obtaining a PhD. I have had absolutely no trouble making my way in the world with the skills I obtained while finishing a Master’s in Political Economy, and I recognized long ago that my life has been far happier, my work has been more fulfilling, and my mind has been more at peace that it possibly could have been if I had been pulled into the infantile neurotic academy.
I’m not going to pretend I understand all the nuances of the ethical scandals you investigate and expose, but I can tell you that this kind of bullshit went on more or less unimpeded in the 1980s and was much more difficult to expose simply because records, documents, and dissertations were only stored on paper. I myself had work stolen by full professors on two occasions and there was simply no recourse. Keep plugging.
Also regarding your writing: you are on the right track. You become a better writer by writing. Keep at it. I’ll be reading every word.
Just a thought in attracting paid subscribers. I believe that a lot of academic articles are anywhere from a hack job to downright fraudulent. So where to start flushing them out? Choose the academics who are exposing themselves as public intellectuals. Take Emily Oster of Covid amnesty infamy. She has published in academic journals. Has she plagiarized? Has she hacked her stats? Was the sample size ridiculously small? Etc. etc.
Great post, Chris. Your comments about Nietzsche reminded me of something Hanania wrote: I only have a 1/1000 IQ but I'm 1,/100,000 for non-conformity, that makes me a 1 in a hundred million mind.
You're the fucking man, and there ain't no way Nietzsche would get a 338 on a GRE. We all have our strong suits and how much philosophy have you read? Keep in mind, these guys stand on each others shoulders in a big way. You stood tall against globohomo, and now, no matter what you do you're free. You don't HAVE to make it with writing alone (although I'm almost certain you will). You have a high degree of innate ability and you've decided that you're going to figure out what you truly want. I would look to evolutionary psychology for clues to juxtapose with the philosophical reading, but I'm sure whatever approach you take you'll figure it out. Regarding power, would it make you a fraud if your instincts told you to pursue truth because you recognized on some level that truth might bring power? Learning the truth doesn't hurt anyone, and the more you know, the less likely you are to fuck things up (in the context of your own values). Can you imagine the people that decided that above all else they wanted to help people, went off and became doctors, and are now convinced that the best way to help people is by denying biological reality? You're doing good and important work already. I'm excited to see what you're capable of when you find your true purpose and get aligned with that.
I really enjoy your work; I'm glad I found you; it astonishes me how much I enjoy a Stack about the world of Econ and the peculiar vipers vipering away in it.
And now you've solved a mystery for which I supplied my own erroneous solution.
You're a good writer. I'm not going to go to paid because I subscribe to about 100 substacks. I would make the occasional donation, as I do to some of the substacks.
Being in Mexico is pretty interesting. You should write about it and make YouTube or Tik Toks. People love that travel stuff. Best of Luck, Chris! You've helped me along the way, which I appreciate.
As for your writing aspirations, I can only note how effective genuine mentors can be for anyone’s career. I hope you’re able to form that kind of connection with someone who you can learn from.
Hey bro, I think my Substack will help you become a better writer. I'm releasing a long series of tutorials aimed at coaching the kind of men who are Frogs — brilliant autodidacts without much formal training.
You definitely have the talent, focus, and work ethic to become a great writer. Sentences and paragraphs conform to certain predictable structures, and there's a rhythm to aesthetically pleasing, efficient, clear, and meaningful prose. I just want to encourage you that you can be truly exceptional in this regard.
Keep writing. As an fyi, I think I moved to a paid subscriber faster with you than any other Substack writer I follow. It was your ferocity and fearlessness that hooked me.
Chris—after reading your latest submission, I finally pulled the trigger and became a paid subscriber. I left the world of academic economics decades ago — long before the advent of even usenet groups, never mind Twitter or EJMR. I too left the profession without obtaining a PhD. I have had absolutely no trouble making my way in the world with the skills I obtained while finishing a Master’s in Political Economy, and I recognized long ago that my life has been far happier, my work has been more fulfilling, and my mind has been more at peace that it possibly could have been if I had been pulled into the infantile neurotic academy.
I’m not going to pretend I understand all the nuances of the ethical scandals you investigate and expose, but I can tell you that this kind of bullshit went on more or less unimpeded in the 1980s and was much more difficult to expose simply because records, documents, and dissertations were only stored on paper. I myself had work stolen by full professors on two occasions and there was simply no recourse. Keep plugging.
Also regarding your writing: you are on the right track. You become a better writer by writing. Keep at it. I’ll be reading every word.
Just a thought in attracting paid subscribers. I believe that a lot of academic articles are anywhere from a hack job to downright fraudulent. So where to start flushing them out? Choose the academics who are exposing themselves as public intellectuals. Take Emily Oster of Covid amnesty infamy. She has published in academic journals. Has she plagiarized? Has she hacked her stats? Was the sample size ridiculously small? Etc. etc.
You gotta dive more into the Mexico thing when you can.
The mechanics of it all. What ab health insurance?!! People always Ask me when I talk ab quitting Their Crappy Old Job (coj).
How did you choose where you are? Do you speak Spanish? The crime? Food? Etc. missing family?
Great post, Chris. Your comments about Nietzsche reminded me of something Hanania wrote: I only have a 1/1000 IQ but I'm 1,/100,000 for non-conformity, that makes me a 1 in a hundred million mind.
This is the attitude.
You're the fucking man, and there ain't no way Nietzsche would get a 338 on a GRE. We all have our strong suits and how much philosophy have you read? Keep in mind, these guys stand on each others shoulders in a big way. You stood tall against globohomo, and now, no matter what you do you're free. You don't HAVE to make it with writing alone (although I'm almost certain you will). You have a high degree of innate ability and you've decided that you're going to figure out what you truly want. I would look to evolutionary psychology for clues to juxtapose with the philosophical reading, but I'm sure whatever approach you take you'll figure it out. Regarding power, would it make you a fraud if your instincts told you to pursue truth because you recognized on some level that truth might bring power? Learning the truth doesn't hurt anyone, and the more you know, the less likely you are to fuck things up (in the context of your own values). Can you imagine the people that decided that above all else they wanted to help people, went off and became doctors, and are now convinced that the best way to help people is by denying biological reality? You're doing good and important work already. I'm excited to see what you're capable of when you find your true purpose and get aligned with that.
I really enjoy your work; I'm glad I found you; it astonishes me how much I enjoy a Stack about the world of Econ and the peculiar vipers vipering away in it.
And now you've solved a mystery for which I supplied my own erroneous solution.
You're a good writer. I'm not going to go to paid because I subscribe to about 100 substacks. I would make the occasional donation, as I do to some of the substacks.
Bro what a cope. You just weren't smart enough
I wouldn't wory about it especially as a Canadian. Not much, if any, benefit to a PhD in Canada for most people anyways.
Being in Mexico is pretty interesting. You should write about it and make YouTube or Tik Toks. People love that travel stuff. Best of Luck, Chris! You've helped me along the way, which I appreciate.
Very excited to be a part of this journey, Chris.
As for your writing aspirations, I can only note how effective genuine mentors can be for anyone’s career. I hope you’re able to form that kind of connection with someone who you can learn from.
Hey bro, I think my Substack will help you become a better writer. I'm releasing a long series of tutorials aimed at coaching the kind of men who are Frogs — brilliant autodidacts without much formal training.
This is my best-known piece:
https://billionairepsycho.substack.com/p/pygmalion-and-the-anime-girl
You definitely have the talent, focus, and work ethic to become a great writer. Sentences and paragraphs conform to certain predictable structures, and there's a rhythm to aesthetically pleasing, efficient, clear, and meaningful prose. I just want to encourage you that you can be truly exceptional in this regard.
good luck buddy
Keep writing. As an fyi, I think I moved to a paid subscriber faster with you than any other Substack writer I follow. It was your ferocity and fearlessness that hooked me.