Happy birthday Lloyd! I'm a millennial who's been reading you for years and from where I stand, your work has never been more relevant. Please keep writing!
>>"My online legacy is even less likely to survive, given that it’s almost entirely on the web."
Don't fret, Lloyd. Many great academics are concerned so much of our present (and "present future") is at risk of obsolescence and irretrievability because technologies change in the online world. I grew up using 5.25-inch and 3.5-inch floppy disks for storing documents; I still have some which are inaccessible because I lack the components with the new laptop to access them (to say nothing of the lost passwords!) I'm 53 and recognize that despite my youth-driven aspirations and hopes of leaving a legacy for future generations to know I existed, it's only a rare few who will ever get to enjoy the luxury of name recognition. And, without having had any progeny to carry on my name, family history, or values in an ever-changing world, there's REALLY a sense of irrelevance for me to cope with. I'm still trying to figure out the ultimate end game and why it's a point of contention for me; perhaps it's because I'm haunted by my past, a family upbringing of authoritarianism that still to this day is impossible to avoid with my 88 year old mother. I have hopes of creating some kind of legacy for myself, whether that's just part of an endowment fund towards education, or perhaps offspring with a willing partner from another country who doesn't balk at the idea of wide age differences. I can only try.
I think that's the noble goal to pursue: at least try, and enjoy the ride in the meantime, doing whatever it is that brings you happiness. Ride your bike for the sake of the enjoyment *without* fretting about how many people aren't doing the same, or how risky the bike lanes are; enjoy the delicious meals that your wife makes for you (trust me, as the chief cook and bottle washer in my own house, I'd love to have a partner who did that for me the way Kelly does for you); have yourself a tipple of Macallan's 12 year when you feel the urge without thinking of the peat used in the malting process. I'm convinced my mother sees life as something to be endured, not enjoyed—so I've done as much as I can to enjoy the life given to me regardless of how little money I've saved or the lack of relevance in my degreed field.
Eat, drink, and be merry—and have a happy birthday. No one gets out of this gig called life alive, so do your level best to do whatever it is you want with it. And cheers ... I'll pour myself a dram tonight after work in your honor.
You irrelevant? Nothing could be farther from the truth. If it were me in your shoes, I wouldn’t be worrying about it.
Next, I think of all the readers of “Carbon Upfront!” There must be a lot. I am one. Even if only one person read your posts, that should certainly eliminate any notion of your being irrelevant.
Furthermore, I believe I read earlier where you’re a university instructor, maybe even a professor (that’s what happens — at least to some — when we get older: we tend to forget things. With me, there’s a lot of that going around! Be thankful you don’t have that problem!), and by virtue of that, the fact that you have students to teach to, students that value the information that you impart to them, then in your being irrelevant, there is just no way!!
I remember when I used to teach electronics classes at California State University, Long Beach, for the two semesters part-time that I did, those were the best two semesters of my entire teaching career that I ever had!! Priceless!! That was in 1987-‘88.
I, too, went on to be a writer. I got my first paid writing gig in 2000. It was freelance. I wrote historical sketches, business and personal profiles, opinion/editorial pieces, reviews, magazine articles, etc., etc., etc. To be a published writer was one of my goals after I completed post-graduate studies. I’ve done that in spades. For me, I can’t get enough where that’s concerned.
Lastly, I also like reading. Though I prefer reading hard-copy books vs. reading them online. Weird, it seems, that I wrote a book, but it’s only available for reading in cyberspace. Go figure!
I am a relatively new reader of your articles. I found you on on the last months of the TH, then I did not find you until someone posted your link here.
I may not always agree with your articles, but regardless, I love your writing and look forward to read your articles.
Having been writing and campaigning for over 50 years I see this all as 'irrelevant', not just what I write now and in whatever future I am allowed. However, I do feel relevant in working in smallish teams of volunteers and activists in very personal and rewarding ways. This does not stop the writing and campaigning which continues with lower and lower (realistic?) expectations.
P.S. In your opinion, is it a good thing or a bad thing that there is no reference to you at all on the Kensington Market Lofts project on www.context.ca ?
Well, since I had never heard of Context until today, it is clearly their loss ! You have become much more meaningful in my life, as well as countless others, by parting ways with a company & people who did not appreciate what a unique, valuable, and inspirational person you truly are Lloyd !
Happy birthday Lloyd! I'm a millennial who's been reading you for years and from where I stand, your work has never been more relevant. Please keep writing!
>>"My online legacy is even less likely to survive, given that it’s almost entirely on the web."
Don't fret, Lloyd. Many great academics are concerned so much of our present (and "present future") is at risk of obsolescence and irretrievability because technologies change in the online world. I grew up using 5.25-inch and 3.5-inch floppy disks for storing documents; I still have some which are inaccessible because I lack the components with the new laptop to access them (to say nothing of the lost passwords!) I'm 53 and recognize that despite my youth-driven aspirations and hopes of leaving a legacy for future generations to know I existed, it's only a rare few who will ever get to enjoy the luxury of name recognition. And, without having had any progeny to carry on my name, family history, or values in an ever-changing world, there's REALLY a sense of irrelevance for me to cope with. I'm still trying to figure out the ultimate end game and why it's a point of contention for me; perhaps it's because I'm haunted by my past, a family upbringing of authoritarianism that still to this day is impossible to avoid with my 88 year old mother. I have hopes of creating some kind of legacy for myself, whether that's just part of an endowment fund towards education, or perhaps offspring with a willing partner from another country who doesn't balk at the idea of wide age differences. I can only try.
I think that's the noble goal to pursue: at least try, and enjoy the ride in the meantime, doing whatever it is that brings you happiness. Ride your bike for the sake of the enjoyment *without* fretting about how many people aren't doing the same, or how risky the bike lanes are; enjoy the delicious meals that your wife makes for you (trust me, as the chief cook and bottle washer in my own house, I'd love to have a partner who did that for me the way Kelly does for you); have yourself a tipple of Macallan's 12 year when you feel the urge without thinking of the peat used in the malting process. I'm convinced my mother sees life as something to be endured, not enjoyed—so I've done as much as I can to enjoy the life given to me regardless of how little money I've saved or the lack of relevance in my degreed field.
Eat, drink, and be merry—and have a happy birthday. No one gets out of this gig called life alive, so do your level best to do whatever it is you want with it. And cheers ... I'll pour myself a dram tonight after work in your honor.
Happy Birthday!
You irrelevant? Nothing could be farther from the truth. If it were me in your shoes, I wouldn’t be worrying about it.
Next, I think of all the readers of “Carbon Upfront!” There must be a lot. I am one. Even if only one person read your posts, that should certainly eliminate any notion of your being irrelevant.
Furthermore, I believe I read earlier where you’re a university instructor, maybe even a professor (that’s what happens — at least to some — when we get older: we tend to forget things. With me, there’s a lot of that going around! Be thankful you don’t have that problem!), and by virtue of that, the fact that you have students to teach to, students that value the information that you impart to them, then in your being irrelevant, there is just no way!!
I remember when I used to teach electronics classes at California State University, Long Beach, for the two semesters part-time that I did, those were the best two semesters of my entire teaching career that I ever had!! Priceless!! That was in 1987-‘88.
I, too, went on to be a writer. I got my first paid writing gig in 2000. It was freelance. I wrote historical sketches, business and personal profiles, opinion/editorial pieces, reviews, magazine articles, etc., etc., etc. To be a published writer was one of my goals after I completed post-graduate studies. I’ve done that in spades. For me, I can’t get enough where that’s concerned.
Lastly, I also like reading. Though I prefer reading hard-copy books vs. reading them online. Weird, it seems, that I wrote a book, but it’s only available for reading in cyberspace. Go figure!
Happy Birthday!
I am a relatively new reader of your articles. I found you on on the last months of the TH, then I did not find you until someone posted your link here.
I may not always agree with your articles, but regardless, I love your writing and look forward to read your articles.
You are relevant and you inspire a lot of us.
Thank you for existing :)
As always, a great column, Lloyd. And happy birthday...if it helps, you're *very* relevant to us.
Happy Birthday, Lloyd!
Having been writing and campaigning for over 50 years I see this all as 'irrelevant', not just what I write now and in whatever future I am allowed. However, I do feel relevant in working in smallish teams of volunteers and activists in very personal and rewarding ways. This does not stop the writing and campaigning which continues with lower and lower (realistic?) expectations.
HBDay. Older and wiser. Cheers
Lloyd, you have been a steadfast and thoughtful force for many of us out here. I will always be grateful that you are in the world. Happy Birthday!
A very happy birthday to you Lloyd!
Happy Birthday Lloyd, I really enjoyed reading these posts.
Cheers
Happy Birthday, Lloyd.
Happy Birthday Lloyd !
P.S. In your opinion, is it a good thing or a bad thing that there is no reference to you at all on the Kensington Market Lofts project on www.context.ca ?
It is unsurprising, they wrote me out of Context. It was a very unhappy parting of the ways.
Well, since I had never heard of Context until today, it is clearly their loss ! You have become much more meaningful in my life, as well as countless others, by parting ways with a company & people who did not appreciate what a unique, valuable, and inspirational person you truly are Lloyd !
Amen brother, amen. (Can't you retrieve your old internet stuff on the Wayback Machine?)
If can find the exact URL otherwise it is hard.
Happy Birthday, Lloyd.