This was an early post that used the template copy from Substack for subscribers. I've previously discussed this, and I don't like the term "support," as in "support my work." If I have something I think is valuable and I will charge another person for it, it's not support; it's the cost of that product. Support says you provide charity, and I've always felt both parties lose. I'll give some of my content away for free, and it will be enough for most casual readers; for the people I consider fans of the work and want as much of the writing and media I aggregate and analyze, they are subscribers.

Held in my highest regard, I have a contract with those fans; if I fail to provide on that contract, I don't want support; I want to get better at the craft. Supporters can read for free; fans who are subscribers, it's your job to keep the team on their toes, expect more, and always let us know if we are slipping.

Below is the copy of the original post, enjoy!

A new week, new words, new music, new ideas, and new formats. One of the benefits of daily practice is getting to improve faster. If it takes thirty shots to hit the target, and you can take one shot daily, the target is within reach—more on this in the new rehearsal section of the newsletter. With the first thirty days underneath us, the goal of the next thirty days is as ambitious as starting this on day one. Thank you for being a part of this journey.

Most Gen-Xers remember the iconic “This is your brain… on drugs” commercials from the 80s. It was the Regan 80s, and Nancy Regan, in particular, told us to “Just Say No throughout the decade.” Looking back, the math looks like this:

Your Brain on Drugs + Just Say No + Tons of Drug Supply = Lots of Drug Use

As the story goes, after a more liberal 70s of doing what you want, a more conservative approach started to make its way to the public airwaves. Partnership For A Drug-Free America (PDFA) which received $300,000 in startup funds from the American Association of Advertising, started to work on the creatives for the next level drug war.

While we are sure there are many studies out there that could provide info on the impact of this messaging, here is where the U.S. is in 2022. Over half of the states in the U.S. have legalized marijuana (medical and recreational), and even more, have decriminalized it. After a decade of fighting a war on drugs, it looks like drugs won.

Gen-X, here is your video; millennials, what sort of excellent prohibitive ban will your Gen-X parents create for you?

Speaking of your brain on drugs, McDonald’s just came out with an Adult Happy Meal. According to several online reports, the target is collectors more than foodies.

The Big Mac or 10-piece McNugget meals come with figurines of several McDonald’s characters. It turns out this latest promotion is a partnership with Cactus Plant Flea Market; similar to other promotions McDonald’s has done with Travis Scott and the supergroup BTS, this one is about merch more than food.

McDonald’s started selling toys at some restaurants as far back as 1970; it wasn’t until 1979 that the introduction of the Happy Meal toy game took off. In December of 1979, the first movie tie-in with Star Trek movie hit the meal. Forty years later and more toys, movie promotions, and food have been consumed by a generation of kids.

The war on processed food is more recent than the war on drugs, and it looks a lot like using a bucket to get water out of a boat with a hole in it. Advertise to a kid watching cartoon videos of a new toy at a fast food restaurant, and the begging from the backseat is relentless.

Dolly Parton has been a generous philanthropist for a long time. Some of the things she donates to are not as widely known. Many of the things Ms. Parton contributes do not get any attention, which appears to be by design.

The AP reports that in digging a little deeper, there have been contributions to a Tennessee, high school for band uniforms and a strip mall in Nashville to support a black neighborhood.

Ms. Parton does not hide her giving but doesn’t need or want any PR. It’s who she is and has always been. She recently received a Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy. Dolly, we will always love you!

Check out the Dolly Parton Award video here.

Nick Cave dropped another Red Hand Files note on us today. The question he answered was whether a person you do not agree with or even one you think has extreme views is undeserving of listening to your music. Nick’s response, consistent with his writing, is that everyone deserves a piece, even those who don’t deserve anything else. Once an artist releases music into the world, it’s the world’s music, and if it can bring some light to those in deep darkness, it should.

We have recommended Nick’s site before; you can sign up for it here:

New Music! Yeah Yeah Yeah(s) ;-)

Click on the Apple Music image to listen to the song on Apple Music or on the Spotify Image to listen to Spotify.

“If the answer is ten mistakes away, when do you want to start making mistakes?”

Thank you for spending a few minutes with us.

With A Shout Team