Thank you, Holly. I loved reading this. I have met JVL personally a number of times because I’m blessed to have Shannon’s mother, Peggy, as one of my closest friends. He is a wonderful man, always willing to help with a tech question, a sympathetic listener, and, yes, he is a hugger.
He is so nice. On the day of his FIL’s funeral he took a large segment of time to spend with my friend and me, two elderly ladies. I had something I needed desperately to talk about, a huge disappointment that one of my granddaughters had just suffered, something under normal circumstances I would have turned to Peggy for consolation, but certainly not then. Not only did Jonathan listen patiently, but he provided the empathy I so desperately sought, not the “It will make her a stronger person,” which wasn’t what I needed at that moment. He never let on that, not only was he coping with Peggy’s and Shannon’s and his own family’s loss, but with the fact that his sister has just lost her own FIL and that he was driving to New England the next day for that funeral.
The footnotes, they are spreading. I hates the footnotes unless they're internally linked.
That said, JVL is real in a way that I don't feel many political writers are and that's what draws the crowd. There's a certain amount of calculation that goes into the job and it takes a certain kind of person to just be the dude he is and still be compelling the way he is. His writing oozes sincerity because it really is just him putting his thoughts in order and articulating them as best he can.
I totally relate to him on the introvert thing. Lockdown was a fairly similar experience to me, and honestly post-covid I still haven't gotten back to the level of prior social engagement I had because it's no longer really expected, and that's been just swell for me.
This is so great. I’ve been a Bulwarker (yikes…so not a word) for a a spell. So maybe do this with Sarah too? Tim’s going through his too cool for school decade. Give it time🤣
Thanks, Holly, for this profile of JVL. I’ve never met him or any of the other stellar members of the Bulwark team but I feel very connected to the community. Love them!
Holly - love this. Thank you so much for sharing to all about the fantastic JVL. I find this whole thing so hard to explain to my friends (I am worried its a bit of a cult), but this article nails it. And I did meet him in SF... he told me he needs to be dark so we pay attention when he is optimistic. ESFJ (J being the operative here).
Personally speaking, I find the whole Myers-Briggs whatnots to be a more intellectual version of astrology. That said, when our workplace retreat had us test for it, I turned out to be an INTJ.
In their hatred of the Meyers-Briggs, the NT types prove its accuracy.... Seriously though, it of course doesn't capture every aspect of personality but I find it is really a useful tool in understanding differences and addressing miscommunication. All of my marital conflict can be explained with the MB for instance. It's definitely not astrology. But...as an NT, you will remain skeptical so I won't argue....
Knowing my own identification... it's also funny you coin JVL as an INTJ too. Because like him, I'm also an introverted, curmudgeonly, misanthrope who cares deeply for humanity. And my endless supply self-loathing is only rivaled by high regard for my own mental acumen (sounds bad, I know).
Great profile and interview, Holly! As for Old Testament prophets, how about Micah 6:8
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Thanks Holly, this is a great profile of the great JVL. I stumbled on the Bulwark since TWS got destroyed and concluded this is best publication online. JVL is just a brilliant writer and I admire him immensely. We are about the same age but he is the kind the person I aspire to be.
I was lucky enough to have bumped into him and Sarah before one of the TNL shows. The only thing I really said was I was so intimidated by him. I was just starstruck and did not want to embarrass myself further.
“We never say, ‘Who’s going to get this?’ We always say, ‘The right people will get this.’” -Joel Hodgson in the short documentary,This Is MST3k. When I first caught an episode of MST3k in 1990 I felt a tingle up my spine. Here’s a show produced specifically for me!
I feel the same way about The Bulwark. It works both ways. Not just that I get it. I feel like they get me.
Reading it I realized...I envy writers. I wish I could write like you all do.
Like others...I feel connected to the community in a weird way. I am probably more lefty than many there and it is...soothing...to have people who aren't nuts to talk politics with.
We’re like a family, even more than a community. Almost all of us had to accept—and grieve—the loss of a party that no longer felt like home. JVL is that annoying brother-in-law who is always right and always there for you, come what may. I think the world of him.
Marvelous tribute to JVL and The Bulwark “miracle.”
Thank you, Holly. I loved reading this. I have met JVL personally a number of times because I’m blessed to have Shannon’s mother, Peggy, as one of my closest friends. He is a wonderful man, always willing to help with a tech question, a sympathetic listener, and, yes, he is a hugger.
I knew it! He's nice, isn't he?
He is so nice. On the day of his FIL’s funeral he took a large segment of time to spend with my friend and me, two elderly ladies. I had something I needed desperately to talk about, a huge disappointment that one of my granddaughters had just suffered, something under normal circumstances I would have turned to Peggy for consolation, but certainly not then. Not only did Jonathan listen patiently, but he provided the empathy I so desperately sought, not the “It will make her a stronger person,” which wasn’t what I needed at that moment. He never let on that, not only was he coping with Peggy’s and Shannon’s and his own family’s loss, but with the fact that his sister has just lost her own FIL and that he was driving to New England the next day for that funeral.
Tim's answered a couple of emails.
Also, I stand by ponytail Tim>pompadour Tim.
The footnotes, they are spreading. I hates the footnotes unless they're internally linked.
That said, JVL is real in a way that I don't feel many political writers are and that's what draws the crowd. There's a certain amount of calculation that goes into the job and it takes a certain kind of person to just be the dude he is and still be compelling the way he is. His writing oozes sincerity because it really is just him putting his thoughts in order and articulating them as best he can.
I totally relate to him on the introvert thing. Lockdown was a fairly similar experience to me, and honestly post-covid I still haven't gotten back to the level of prior social engagement I had because it's no longer really expected, and that's been just swell for me.
Top notch writing and interview. Thanks so much.
LOVE THIS.
Big fan of JVL and of yours Holly. Always good to read.
This is so great. I’ve been a Bulwarker (yikes…so not a word) for a a spell. So maybe do this with Sarah too? Tim’s going through his too cool for school decade. Give it time🤣
Extended part of all of our families. A day without JVL is a day without sunshine!! I dread the weekends when it’s devoid of JVL and Co.
Thanks, Holly, for this profile of JVL. I’ve never met him or any of the other stellar members of the Bulwark team but I feel very connected to the community. Love them!
Holly - love this. Thank you so much for sharing to all about the fantastic JVL. I find this whole thing so hard to explain to my friends (I am worried its a bit of a cult), but this article nails it. And I did meet him in SF... he told me he needs to be dark so we pay attention when he is optimistic. ESFJ (J being the operative here).
It's a healthy cult. Healthy!
ESFJ=You are a less space-cadet version of me.
Exceptional job Holly.
Personally speaking, I find the whole Myers-Briggs whatnots to be a more intellectual version of astrology. That said, when our workplace retreat had us test for it, I turned out to be an INTJ.
In their hatred of the Meyers-Briggs, the NT types prove its accuracy.... Seriously though, it of course doesn't capture every aspect of personality but I find it is really a useful tool in understanding differences and addressing miscommunication. All of my marital conflict can be explained with the MB for instance. It's definitely not astrology. But...as an NT, you will remain skeptical so I won't argue....
Knowing my own identification... it's also funny you coin JVL as an INTJ too. Because like him, I'm also an introverted, curmudgeonly, misanthrope who cares deeply for humanity. And my endless supply self-loathing is only rivaled by high regard for my own mental acumen (sounds bad, I know).
well... some of my friends would question, "less space-cadet". Being a little crazy is a good thing.
Great profile and interview, Holly! As for Old Testament prophets, how about Micah 6:8
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
One of my favorites.
Thanks Holly, this is a great profile of the great JVL. I stumbled on the Bulwark since TWS got destroyed and concluded this is best publication online. JVL is just a brilliant writer and I admire him immensely. We are about the same age but he is the kind the person I aspire to be.
I was lucky enough to have bumped into him and Sarah before one of the TNL shows. The only thing I really said was I was so intimidated by him. I was just starstruck and did not want to embarrass myself further.
Great interview, Holly! You and JVL both have such personality in your writing. AI can't replace this!
I really don't know how I'd be doing mentally right now if it weren't for Charlie's tagline "You're not the crazy one."
“We never say, ‘Who’s going to get this?’ We always say, ‘The right people will get this.’” -Joel Hodgson in the short documentary,This Is MST3k. When I first caught an episode of MST3k in 1990 I felt a tingle up my spine. Here’s a show produced specifically for me!
I feel the same way about The Bulwark. It works both ways. Not just that I get it. I feel like they get me.
Thanks, Holly. This is great!
This was so good!!
Reading it I realized...I envy writers. I wish I could write like you all do.
Like others...I feel connected to the community in a weird way. I am probably more lefty than many there and it is...soothing...to have people who aren't nuts to talk politics with.
I wish I could write like JVL! So clearly articulated every time. I bow down.
We’re like a family, even more than a community. Almost all of us had to accept—and grieve—the loss of a party that no longer felt like home. JVL is that annoying brother-in-law who is always right and always there for you, come what may. I think the world of him.