It was a big weekend for big people doing big things.  Chris Rock reminds us that he is not a victim, and if you have a choice, don't be one, either.  Or as another one of those authors we read in college, “Never sanction the victim.”  A young photographer has a creative way to help his gran's Alzheimer's, and a dad does the little things to help keep his daughter stable on dark days.  Let's get to it.

Chris Rock is a smart standup comedian, and his stage presence and rhythm are as practiced as any professional athlete.  He has been one of the top touring standup comedians for decades; he stepped on stage last weekend for another standup show and Netflix special; this one was filmed live.  Standup is always live, but a standup special isn't; replays may have the benefit of post-production adjustments, but the show on Saturday night at 10:00 PM EDT at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore was raw, honest, and, more than anything else, funny.

There will be a lot of different lines talked about coming out of this show; the show's title and special is Selective Outrage.  At the show's beginning, Rock talks about the overuse of victimhood and says he is not a victim.  It is a powerful statement made by someone who knows who he is and doesn't see the advantage of using excuses.  If you are fortunate enough to decide whether or not you want to be a victim, that decision determines who has control over what you can do about it. 

This week and next talk will be about Rock, Smith, the Oscars, and all the gossip that goes with it.  Rock brought his A-Game to his standup special on Saturday and proved why he continues to be one of the best. 

A 16-year-old photographer and greatest grandson in the world, Philip Loveday, is walking through the streets of London and taking pictures of various landmarks for his gran.  Scilla, Philip's gran, walked the same roads when she was a teenager taking photographs and now, at 83, has been dealing with Alzheimer's and struggles with her memory.

As Loveday explains in the video, taking pictures and showing the before and after shots help gran with her memory.  The photos and the story will make you smile.  The BBC has the report, and the link to the video is below.

Maddie Hindes, who wrote a sweet tweet in what looks like the middle of the pandemic (dated June 4th, 2020), continues to stretch its viral message.  From all of us to Maddie's dad, "You're the Greatest!"

Wirecutter gives us a breather from staring at our screens and a few ideas to think about.  Catherine Price, who wrote How to Break Up with Your Phone – suggests it's not about quitting your phone but regaining control over what you do.  Like Chris Rock and playing the victim, it is essential to understand where the power lies, you or the instant gratification of a constant stream of information designed to keep you under control.

Pictures from the UK's 2023 Underwater Photographer of the Year award winners.

Please don’t cry.

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

Thank you for spending a few minutes with us. Here’s one for the road!

With A Shout newsletter is written by Johnny Christian with the support of a thousand idea bits and the help of many people.

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