Greatest Hits of the Newsletter and Most Memorable Flights
I'll never forget the Norwegian Air philosophy. Plus recs for Taffy Brodesser-Akner's new book, Kylie Brakeman on AI, and Maggie Oatman on women's health
Welcome to all the new subscribers! There was a real jump in signups this week, which I am guessing is because of the kind words Alex Dobrenko wrote about Bright Spots in his extremely popular newsletter. Thank you, Alex! And thank you anyone who signed up on his recommendation. You might like some of the greatest hits from this newsletter.
Some funny ones:
Some parenting ones:
Things I Wish More Parents Talked About (a serious one!)
7 Things I've Learned About Having a Baby in the Past 7 Weeks
Some incredible guest posts:
Eating Lettuce on a Cruise Ship (by Carley Moseley)
Having OCD in a CVS (by Dan McGraw)
And one that’s almost exclusively poop jokes:
I’m going to keep the intro story short today because I’m visiting family and we just flew with a baby, so I am very tired. Baby travel is exhausting even though, all things considered, our flight was smooth and event-free. Taking a flight did make me think of all the flights I’ve taken that have been eventful. None of really memorable things I’ve seen on a plane have involved a crying baby or overwhelmed parents. That’s just background noise and we all understand they’re doing their best.
Some of the things that have really drawn my attention though?
Once, I was flying from NYC to Charleston to do a comedy show. We were fully boarded and seated but the plane was not leaving the gate. The pilot made an announcement over the intercom that we were just waiting for one final passenger. I leaned over to the stranger sitting next to me and jokingly said, “They’re holding the plane for him? Must be a pretty important guy!”
Right as I finished saying that, Bill Murray walked on the plane. The flight attendants closed the door and we taxied for takeoff. Bill sat in coach. We did not speak despite me desperately trying to make that happen.
Another memorable flight that did not involve a celebrity was the only time I’ve witnessed them asking if there’s a doctor on board. On this flight, the way they worded it is: “We are looking for a doctor onboard. If you’re a doctor, can you please ring your call button?”
It was a small enough plane that I could hear what people were saying. The first person to ring the call button said, “I’m a general practitioner.” Immediately afterwards, another person said, “I’m an ER doctor.” Then a third person rang their call button and said, “I’m a dentist.” The flight attendants immediately told the dentist to sit back down and took the other two up to the man, who it turned out just needed to rehydrate and eat something.
But the most memorable of all the things I’ve seen on a plane was when I was flying on the budget airline Norwegian Air. I was, of course, trying to save money, so I had ended up in a middle seat. But the guy next to me said that he had paid extra for a window seat. This is what he got…
When he complained, the flight attendant stared at him emotionlessly and then said, “Window is a position, not a view.” An incredible statement. An incredible policy position. I will remember that moment for the rest of my life.
My projects and upcoming events:
PODCAST: How to Be a Better Human (TED/PRX) - Katie Fahey changed the way elections work in her home state of Michigan. She was upset about gerrymandering. But rather than just spiral into despair, she started working with friends and neighbors across the state and managed to change the system. On this episode, we talk about what she learned about political change and how to organize at the grassroots level. Listen here (or wherever you get your podcasts)
AUDIOBOOK: Let's Hang Out: Making (and Keeping) Friends, Acquaintances, and Other Nonromantic Relationships - This is out now as an audiobook or e-book on Everand. You have to create an account to listen or read, but you can get a 60-day free trial with promo code ChrisDuffy60 or if you click this link it should automatically fill out that code. You can always cancel after reading and not get charged!
To promote the audiobook, I’ve been doing a bunch of podcast appearances. Two fun ones that are out now are:
LIVE IN NYC: Wrong Answers Only at Symphony Space - Thursday, September 19th at 7 p.m. Tickets just went on sale for my next NYC show! We’re going to be making jokes about data privacy and figuring out who sees what we do online with me, a leading computer scientist, and Phoebe Robinson. Details and tickets here
This week’s list
GREAT:
Taffy Brodesser-Akner is the author of Fleischman is in Trouble. She’s also written some of the most distinctive magazine profiles I’ve ever read. She has a new book out now, Long Island Compromise. I haven’t read it yet, but I’m excited to dive in, especially after reading this haunting article she wrote about the true story that inspired it (and how it tied into the trauma she experienced giving birth). It’s a tough story to read in parts but it’s also one of the most profound pieces of writing about trauma and recovery that I’ve come across. “Fifty years ago, my father’s friend was taken at gunpoint on Long Island. Then he went on with his life — and that’s the part that haunts me.” The Kidnapping I Can’t Escape (h/t Andrea Amiel)
FUNNY:
The talk and the hype around AI has yet to die down. Maybe it will end up being a hugely important tool and technology. I certainly don’t understand it well enough to know. But what I do know is that many of the people who are most excited about AI are also extremely annoying. I loved this character from Kylie Brakeman. Kylie Brakeman: Every AI Guy (h/t Sarah Kay)
INTERESTING:
Despite the fact that we live in a time where modern medicine has made incredible advances, there are so many research areas that are woefully understudied and underfunded. Diseases that affect people living outside of North America and Europe are one, but also anything that has to do with women’s health. It’s wild how little research has been done and how little understanding doctors currently have. Maggie Oatman reports out a very important story that highlights the lack of understanding, while also painting a picture of the risks that come when suddenly investors sense there might be a profit potential. Rags to Riches: The race to understand—and profit from—period blood.
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That's it for this week. Thanks for reading! Please share Bright Spots with anyone you think might enjoy it.
Window is a position, not a view,
Chris Duffy
This has been Bright Spots, a newsletter.
…wait, who are you?
I'm Chris Duffy, a comedian, TV writer, podcast host, and both a former fifth grade teacher and a former fifth grade student. I’m currently writing a nonfiction book about humor for Doubleday.
“Window is a position, not a view.” I think I heard the Dalai Lama say that once.
dear chris,
another great piece this week!
i will also always remember “Window is a position, not a view.”
beautiful! love it, love you, thanks for sharing!
love
myq