How does this work? Each newsletter you’ll see one reader’s answer to the previous week’s question. Then you’ll see the question they have for the list, which you can respond to if you’d like. Or you can just read and enjoy.
Previous ask:
What was the most difficult forgiveness you granted someone?
Marc answers:
The hardest forgiveness I had to grant to someone was to Kevin Smith for making Jersey Girl. After making Clerk, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma and Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back in a seven-year span, Smith waited three years to put out his next film Jersey Girl. This film was so bad and disappointing that it was the movie equivalent of walking in on your partner with someone else, except no question I would have forgiven any of my girlfriends quicker than I did Smith for his betrayal. What made it even worse was that this started a downward spiral in which afterwards he put out Clerks 2, Zach & Miri Make A Porno and Cop Out.
At this point it had been over 6 years since he had put out Jersey Girl and not only had my hatred for that film hit peak levels, but I no longer even cared what Smith was doing. Or so I thought. A year later one of the greatest comeback's in film history happened. It was called Red State. Smith had created perhaps his best film ever and brought me back as fan. Though it wasn't until Comic Book Men two years later that I was fully able to forgive him for Jersey Girl.
Marc asks:
What was the last photo you took (not counting selfies)?
If you’d like to answer this question, you can simply hit reply to this email and write it in. Be sure to also include a question that you’d like to submit next. And tell us a story — your answer will be the bulk of the next newsletter. We will only use your first name, but if you wish to answer anonymously, let us know.
Bits and Pieces
From time to time, I’ll throw some updates, links, and other notes at the bottom of the newsletter.
Many years ago, I helped my friend Webster on a project to visit 50 state capitols in 50 days. It was a very ambitious and tiring project. Also quite moving. Each day, we’d arrive at a state capitol building (Wyoming and Colorado are two of my favorites) and walk up the stairs, sit down, and play music. (Webster played the guitar beautifully, I fumbled around on a xylophone) We rarely got any attention, and almost never any bad attention. It made me believe in the power of civic space, something I’ve tried to retain as I’ve also gotten more cynical and realistic about our politics. Which is all to say, among the many heartbreaking things this week, it’s especially heartbreaking to see so many capitol buildings locked down and under threat. I hope we can freely amble up the stairs again sometime soon.
“What is an extra rule your family added to a popular board or card game?” A total rabbit-hole of a thread. I can’t believe I spent twenty minutes reading an argument about whether Monopoly is better with a twenty-sided die.
I’ve recommended Leah Sottile’s “Bundyville: The Remnant” podcast to everyone I know. Particularly since the events of January 6th. Here’s Leah with some thoughts: “All Bets Are Off.”
This week, we added a third host to my Radiotopia podcast “This Day In Esoteric Political History.” Kellie Carter Jackson is amazing, super fun to talk so, and very very smart. Read more about her and find the show on our website. Here we go.