I have been fascinated by the HOKA story, and have also found this quote to be true.
“[In the past] The way you got your brand out there was that you had to be everywhere,” Doolan said. “Today you don’t have to be. You want to be in the right places in front of the right individuals.”
WSJ
I loved this from Craig Mod on the books he makes.
Also, my goal is not to sell 100,000 books to random folks, but rather 1,000 books to the “best” readers. Because of this, I can work with well-paid local artisans, printers that respect their workers, binders that have been in business for generations, and pay the appropriate price for sustainable, good work.
This conversation between Hank Green and Nilay Patel is incredible.
These two quotes stood out.
And that’s what I mean, is, “Oh, if you start writing for other people, which is the heart of what a blog post really is: it’s you trying to entertain yourself and trying to entertain just a handful of other people, you’re going to go really much farther than trying to satisfy the robot.”
Our mission statement is that The Verge is a website about how technology makes people feel.
Nilay Patel
This guy I follow named Craig Mod has raised a patronage that funds his walking and writing work in Japan. This sounds insane, but it has a devoted following, and it led to a momentous moment with the New York Times, which listed the city of Morioka, Japan as No. 2 on its list of must-visit places in a recent article. Mod estimates that this brought $100M to the city.
But what fascinated me about all of it was the wandering. His wandering. Just moving around, stirring things up, turning up stones and seeing what’s under them. That led to increased wealth for the city (he doesn’t live there) but also monstrous coverage and popularity for him.
None of this would have happened without SPECIAL PROJECTS. I wouldn’t have felt the permission to do that 10 city tour. To look closely and intimately. To write extensively about those experiences. So that when — a year later — my editor at the New York Times came knocking, asking for recommendations, I was able to say without hesitation: Morioka! Catalyzing the whole fabulous cascade of 2023. (With a follow-up in February 2023.)
Craig Mod
These lyrics were from a song at church today called “You’ve Already Won,” but I think they’re so helpful if applied to anything in life.
Don’t know what you’re doing
But I know what you’ve done
I guess I would add a written note to someone and some good time with your kids (if you have them).
I found the last two sentences to be particularly sad. I do have a sense of trying to make things better. Where does that come from? There must be a name for when people who are not Christians talk about Biblical truths in such a profound yet unintentional way.
Consolation? I’m not sure I have it. I have a belief, I guess, in the power of the aggregate human attempt – the best of ourselves. In love and hope and optimism – you know, the magic things that seem inexplicable. Why we are the way we are. I do have a sense of trying to make things better. Where does that come from?
Meryl Streep
These are really good. Maybe not all in my current wheelhouse, but certainly great business advice.
Man, this was life giving.
I have been reading your work for the past few years. Simply put; my life has been better in meaningful ways because of it. I should probably buy more copies of your books to send to friends. Until I find a way to make you more money, I’ll send you my gratitude.
Watching other golf videos is fun, listening to other golf pods is very enjoyable, but your work goes to a deeper and more important place. Those guys are candy/snacks, your writing is healthy nutrients. Any envy of them (some of whom I realize are good friends) from your heart is natural and understood, but is unwarranted from a talent perspective.
I appreciate the candor/vulnerability in which you write about comparing yourself to those guys, but you’re doing exactly what suits you. The Normal Sport book and newsletter have been a perfect combo of enjoyment and meaningful reflections about life. No one else in the golf space compares even close. Some of your other writings (particularly about faith and tragedy) prove this.
Given our similar age and your conversational writing style, I can only assume your writing as a sport fan was heavily influenced by Bill Simmons. You take so much of the insider humor, relatability and sports expertise that Bill excelled at but then you have added such depth on life, faith, sorrow, fatherhood, family, meaning, purpose that takes your writing to a whole other level.
Thanks again for all of the work this year and Merry Christmas.
“Ideas can feel complete. It’s only when you try to put them into words that you discover they’re not.” – Paul Graham
