Hi, Joe. I'm a pastor about 45 miles up I-77 in Statesville. Same age (Class of 1985); same loves (you've signed a few of your books for me) and same thoughts. I'm preaching through the OT book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon is saying the same things we both feel. Life is short. Life is frustrating (he uses the elusive, uncontrollable metaphor of "vapor" to describe it. The frustrations come from difficult moments inflicted upon us (injustice, oppression, politics (ch3-4) and from difficult moments we inflict upon ourselves (not unlike sports radio or media in general). He says there is nothing we can do about any of that except multiple times he calls on us to recognize that and seek joy in the daily gift of life God gives us (see 2:24-26; 3:12-13; 3:22; 5:18-20; 8:15; 9:7-10; 11:7-10). He keeps repeating himself because we are so hard-headed. We chase after "gain" which is like chasing after the wind. Instead, true gain is finding joy in those things death can never take from you.
You’re being to kind about sports talk radio. Hot take culture is a drag on public discourse. I think it actively harms the culture. If it was just sports, maybe not so bad. But it’s spread everywhere, including political discussion.
Being able to disconnect is a privilege. I have a brown son who was born to illegal immigrants (long story). Someone this administration wants to revoke citizenship from. Someone who is in danger of being grabbed off the street. It would be crazy irresponsible of me tom”unplug”.
I hear you, Joe! I'm about 3 years younger than you and my younger daughter will graduate from college in a little over 2 weeks and my older daughter is getting married in September. If I could figure out how to slow down, I would. I've not listened to much talk radio--sports or otherwise--in years (and stopping listening to political talk radio was a really good decision!). I do listen to a couple podcasts, most notably Tony Kornheiser.
I had a similar realization last year. Except it was about podcasts, not sports radio. If I'm being honest, it was because I started to hear about the term "parasocial" and felt it struck too close to home.
I cut out all podcasts for about three months (including the Poscast). I have brought some back into the rotation this year, but now I don't feel compelled to load up a pod on every drive or run. I'll listen to music (even the radio!) or sometimes nothing at all. It's been freeing, or at least its freed up some of my mental bandwidth.
I have just turned 50 and have been grappling with, what I think, are similar sounding issues. I feel swamped by the hyperbolic nature of any “news” or “sports” reporting (talking at you) that increasingly feels like it must go harder than yesterday. To me it feels out of sink with how we, and the world, are - nuanced. We all contain multitudes, and very rarely can be covered with a bullet point answer.
Please keep breathing, and moving in the moment. I love how you described writing with an idea and learning what you actually believed along the way. I think that is a great way to encapsulate not being swept along by the noise, or to be prepared to fight before you even begin.
I hope you can keep doing what you do sir, you genuinely make a lot people’s day better by providing your joy to us to read, in any way you choose.
And, Thank You.
Also, lose the watch, that level of connected is so unnecessary for us…..
It is going to kind of hard for someone as connected as you to so many people to disconnect and live a simple life, especially since some of those connections may be needed professionally, and you may need to be connected to social media for some of those, but I will share my simple life. I don't think you can get to where I am, but it may give you some ideas.
I do not have social media accounts. No X, Instagram, Blue Sky, Facebook, Tik Tok or anything else that is out there. I can look at You Tube if I need to but don't have an account. Even if I did find it necessary to have one of those, I wouldn't follow anyone, unless it was professiionally necessary or an actual close friend or family member. This, another sportswriter, and a couple of sports blogs I contribute to are the closest thing to social media that I have though.
Once very up on current events, I no longer watch news, especially the infotainment news, tailored for whatever your political views, where most people get it. I don't look at the weather unless there is a chance I will have to drive in the snow or ice. If something really important happens in the world, someone I know who is more connected will mention it, and I can then research it myself if I feel it important.
I carry my cell always, but unless I am traveling, (much less often than you) I don't look at it that much. I have turned off notifications on most apps and other things. If the situation comes up that I need to know something right now, it is still there. I have a home computer and do most of my online stuff there. It is in an office in my home, so I don't get sucked in unless I have gone in there to use it on purpose. I still have a home phone. Not because I really use it, but it costs me almost nothing, and every time I shop for something I won't need for a ticket or need when I am traveling, they get the home phone number. The result of that is that my spam calls go to my home and don't bother me on my cell, (I don't even look up when the home phone rings - at a low volume- just check each morning if someone left a message the day before and check if it is real or nothing) and if I get a call on my cell, it is most likely someone I may want to talk to. I have only 1 Email address that gives me a notification on my cell, and it is again mostly used for things I will need to access for tickets or travel.
At home, my TV is downstairs, and not in the upstairs living room, so that I go down to watch TV on purpose instead of being sucked in by something that happens to be on. Also, if I have guests, we actually talk in a room without that distraction.
I do listen to local sports talk radio while driving, but not in the house. I don't have Alexa, Siri, or anything else that talks back to you.
My life is about as few distractions as possible at times when I am doing anything else. I focus on family, friends, and moments and try to be actually present. listening, and attentive for those people and enjoy the moments. With the possible exception of the occasional sports drama, I avoid drama and gossip in my life as much as possible, and that includes watching zero "reality" type shows. The people in those shows are unimportant (but addictive to many) time sucks.
By simplifying my life, I have reduced my stress, strengthened my relationships, and have more time for others who are important to me and also for myself. It has positively affected my health. I don't miss or pass over good or important moments anymore, I experience them fully.
I don't think most people can get there. It is hard to be going around at 80 mph without actually paying attention to adjust to a leisurely walk through life. But it works for me.
I know exactly what you mean. I had the same amorphous feelings when I was 60, and I ended up retiring from my lawyer job at 61. I cannot tell you how wonderful my life is now (helped of course by a pension, which makes me something of a unicorn these days). It wasn't so much unplugging as re-orienting. Now I am a Person in the world rather than a Job. What a difference. When your time is your own, life is so much fun.
But you should definitely keep writing books. For me to read because I have all this time now!
Joe, I love your blog not just because I LOVE baseball, but because of how many of your posts touch my heart. I’m a veteran, and the story of the veteran in Texas had me blinking back tears. Your words enrich lives.
I haven’t read all the comments. I hope I don’t repeat anything.
First of all, Joe, it sounds like things are going very well in your life. So congratulations! Celebrate that a little bit!
I think introducing more walking into your life will help. And if you bring your phone, you should make a deal that you will not be on it in any way. Just walk. I think it was Niestchke who said all good ideas occur while walking.
There’s a book called The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin I read years ago. I think it has some good thoughts on how to try to have more happiness in your life. But one of my philosophies developed since reading that book is, maybe we need to focus more on satisfaction than happiness.
And whatever your religious faith, if you have not done so, I think you should try to reconnect with that.
All the statistics show that exercise and faith are huge factors in our overall well-being.
First of all, thanks for the transparency and vulnerability. Congratulations to your daughters and to you and Margo! How about a silence and solitude retreat weekend? There are retreat centers all over that provide space and room and board so you can just be by yourself - walking around in nature, sitting under a tree, taking a nap - you name it. Not reading anything, nothing electronic - just you and God. Now that would be a beginning! Go for it!
Maybe start with baby steps - for example, when you sit down for a cup of coffee or tea don’t pick up a phone, tablet or pen - just look out the window and soak it in. A little introspection can’t hurt, but a little too much and you won’t do it again. Just a thought….
Typing this on my phone, but the key is to leave your phone out of sight. Preferably in another room. These things are poison, but they're also addictive.
Joe just read your fun ratings. Care to change the 1 star rating for the White Sox. Mune Ball 💥⚡️😎. The team is raking.
Hi, Joe. I'm a pastor about 45 miles up I-77 in Statesville. Same age (Class of 1985); same loves (you've signed a few of your books for me) and same thoughts. I'm preaching through the OT book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon is saying the same things we both feel. Life is short. Life is frustrating (he uses the elusive, uncontrollable metaphor of "vapor" to describe it. The frustrations come from difficult moments inflicted upon us (injustice, oppression, politics (ch3-4) and from difficult moments we inflict upon ourselves (not unlike sports radio or media in general). He says there is nothing we can do about any of that except multiple times he calls on us to recognize that and seek joy in the daily gift of life God gives us (see 2:24-26; 3:12-13; 3:22; 5:18-20; 8:15; 9:7-10; 11:7-10). He keeps repeating himself because we are so hard-headed. We chase after "gain" which is like chasing after the wind. Instead, true gain is finding joy in those things death can never take from you.
You’re being to kind about sports talk radio. Hot take culture is a drag on public discourse. I think it actively harms the culture. If it was just sports, maybe not so bad. But it’s spread everywhere, including political discussion.
Being able to disconnect is a privilege. I have a brown son who was born to illegal immigrants (long story). Someone this administration wants to revoke citizenship from. Someone who is in danger of being grabbed off the street. It would be crazy irresponsible of me tom”unplug”.
I hear you, Joe! I'm about 3 years younger than you and my younger daughter will graduate from college in a little over 2 weeks and my older daughter is getting married in September. If I could figure out how to slow down, I would. I've not listened to much talk radio--sports or otherwise--in years (and stopping listening to political talk radio was a really good decision!). I do listen to a couple podcasts, most notably Tony Kornheiser.
I had a similar realization last year. Except it was about podcasts, not sports radio. If I'm being honest, it was because I started to hear about the term "parasocial" and felt it struck too close to home.
I cut out all podcasts for about three months (including the Poscast). I have brought some back into the rotation this year, but now I don't feel compelled to load up a pod on every drive or run. I'll listen to music (even the radio!) or sometimes nothing at all. It's been freeing, or at least its freed up some of my mental bandwidth.
Well said. Good luck 😊
I just want to say thank you to everyone who has made such lovely comments on this thread. It's nice to know you're out there.
Good Morning from Australia Joe.
I have just turned 50 and have been grappling with, what I think, are similar sounding issues. I feel swamped by the hyperbolic nature of any “news” or “sports” reporting (talking at you) that increasingly feels like it must go harder than yesterday. To me it feels out of sink with how we, and the world, are - nuanced. We all contain multitudes, and very rarely can be covered with a bullet point answer.
Please keep breathing, and moving in the moment. I love how you described writing with an idea and learning what you actually believed along the way. I think that is a great way to encapsulate not being swept along by the noise, or to be prepared to fight before you even begin.
I hope you can keep doing what you do sir, you genuinely make a lot people’s day better by providing your joy to us to read, in any way you choose.
And, Thank You.
Also, lose the watch, that level of connected is so unnecessary for us…..
It is going to kind of hard for someone as connected as you to so many people to disconnect and live a simple life, especially since some of those connections may be needed professionally, and you may need to be connected to social media for some of those, but I will share my simple life. I don't think you can get to where I am, but it may give you some ideas.
I do not have social media accounts. No X, Instagram, Blue Sky, Facebook, Tik Tok or anything else that is out there. I can look at You Tube if I need to but don't have an account. Even if I did find it necessary to have one of those, I wouldn't follow anyone, unless it was professiionally necessary or an actual close friend or family member. This, another sportswriter, and a couple of sports blogs I contribute to are the closest thing to social media that I have though.
Once very up on current events, I no longer watch news, especially the infotainment news, tailored for whatever your political views, where most people get it. I don't look at the weather unless there is a chance I will have to drive in the snow or ice. If something really important happens in the world, someone I know who is more connected will mention it, and I can then research it myself if I feel it important.
I carry my cell always, but unless I am traveling, (much less often than you) I don't look at it that much. I have turned off notifications on most apps and other things. If the situation comes up that I need to know something right now, it is still there. I have a home computer and do most of my online stuff there. It is in an office in my home, so I don't get sucked in unless I have gone in there to use it on purpose. I still have a home phone. Not because I really use it, but it costs me almost nothing, and every time I shop for something I won't need for a ticket or need when I am traveling, they get the home phone number. The result of that is that my spam calls go to my home and don't bother me on my cell, (I don't even look up when the home phone rings - at a low volume- just check each morning if someone left a message the day before and check if it is real or nothing) and if I get a call on my cell, it is most likely someone I may want to talk to. I have only 1 Email address that gives me a notification on my cell, and it is again mostly used for things I will need to access for tickets or travel.
At home, my TV is downstairs, and not in the upstairs living room, so that I go down to watch TV on purpose instead of being sucked in by something that happens to be on. Also, if I have guests, we actually talk in a room without that distraction.
I do listen to local sports talk radio while driving, but not in the house. I don't have Alexa, Siri, or anything else that talks back to you.
My life is about as few distractions as possible at times when I am doing anything else. I focus on family, friends, and moments and try to be actually present. listening, and attentive for those people and enjoy the moments. With the possible exception of the occasional sports drama, I avoid drama and gossip in my life as much as possible, and that includes watching zero "reality" type shows. The people in those shows are unimportant (but addictive to many) time sucks.
By simplifying my life, I have reduced my stress, strengthened my relationships, and have more time for others who are important to me and also for myself. It has positively affected my health. I don't miss or pass over good or important moments anymore, I experience them fully.
I don't think most people can get there. It is hard to be going around at 80 mph without actually paying attention to adjust to a leisurely walk through life. But it works for me.
I know exactly what you mean. I had the same amorphous feelings when I was 60, and I ended up retiring from my lawyer job at 61. I cannot tell you how wonderful my life is now (helped of course by a pension, which makes me something of a unicorn these days). It wasn't so much unplugging as re-orienting. Now I am a Person in the world rather than a Job. What a difference. When your time is your own, life is so much fun.
But you should definitely keep writing books. For me to read because I have all this time now!
Joe, I love your blog not just because I LOVE baseball, but because of how many of your posts touch my heart. I’m a veteran, and the story of the veteran in Texas had me blinking back tears. Your words enrich lives.
I haven’t read all the comments. I hope I don’t repeat anything.
First of all, Joe, it sounds like things are going very well in your life. So congratulations! Celebrate that a little bit!
I think introducing more walking into your life will help. And if you bring your phone, you should make a deal that you will not be on it in any way. Just walk. I think it was Niestchke who said all good ideas occur while walking.
There’s a book called The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin I read years ago. I think it has some good thoughts on how to try to have more happiness in your life. But one of my philosophies developed since reading that book is, maybe we need to focus more on satisfaction than happiness.
And whatever your religious faith, if you have not done so, I think you should try to reconnect with that.
All the statistics show that exercise and faith are huge factors in our overall well-being.
First of all, thanks for the transparency and vulnerability. Congratulations to your daughters and to you and Margo! How about a silence and solitude retreat weekend? There are retreat centers all over that provide space and room and board so you can just be by yourself - walking around in nature, sitting under a tree, taking a nap - you name it. Not reading anything, nothing electronic - just you and God. Now that would be a beginning! Go for it!
For me, sports talk radio started and ended with “Sports or Consequences” on 700 WLW.
Maybe start with baby steps - for example, when you sit down for a cup of coffee or tea don’t pick up a phone, tablet or pen - just look out the window and soak it in. A little introspection can’t hurt, but a little too much and you won’t do it again. Just a thought….
Typing this on my phone, but the key is to leave your phone out of sight. Preferably in another room. These things are poison, but they're also addictive.