So sorry to hear about your dad. For what it’s worth, you’ve helped me feel more optimistic about the world in through your writing. Hope something somewhere can give you the same!
I'm sorry for your loss, but what a story. Also, I paid for a year but mostly I paid because of how much I loved (love) your internet maladaptation theory. I can't see any story about increased ADHD without reflecting back on that. My prediction for 2026 is that more people will discover your thinking. I am so bad at keeping on top of Substack posts that I was actually delighted to find I hadn't missed much. I'm on the other side of the pond but one day I will make it to the call in show. I look forward to the next message, whenever it comes!
I am sorry for your loss. My wife lost her father earlier this year and we were good friends. She's very stoic and gave a great eulogy. I didn't realize the depth of her feelings until she broke down and shared them with me privately.
It makes me miss my dad a bit and try to treasure our time. Sometimes it's hard because our relationship is complicated.
I am up early and this is the first thing I’ve read today—So moving and so beautifully written. Thank you for bringing your clear, human voice back to this space. I had made a note to find more of your writing after I read “Your phone isn’t a drug” in The New York Times in November. Now I remember why that column had such an impact on me and made me curious to know more about your view of the world, this one and others. Perhaps your father’s continuing existence is now a new portal for you to explore. Take good care of yourself and please keep writing for the love of it, not the numbers. 🙏
Hey Kat, this really hit home for me. Thanks for sharing a bit of what you are going through. My father also came to me in dreams when he passed, as did my sister. A quick tip: The 40 Days of Mourning that they honor in Orthodox Christianity and other faiths is real. After these 40 days (or thereabouts), my father seemed to have entered a different place, one more detached from this one (not that he doesn't visit, but it is different and a lot less frequent). So appreciate your time with him, even if it is only in dreams.
its funny i rarely read books but when my dad got his stage 4 cancer diagnosis i read every waking moment that i didn’t have to work. i think that went on for weeks
happy to see you writing again and doing the show, but it’s perfectly acceptable to also take the time you need. i am so sorry for your loss ❤️
"So the next morning I called my uncle and invited him to breakfast. He was fine – confused by the sudden hospitality, but fine. He couldn’t come. So my dad came instead."
HOLY SHIT that spooked the fuck outta me! Prophetic dreams has always been an interest of mine, part of my buy-in on psychic powers being real. Damn, girl. That hits.
Obv you know I've always been a fan, but also a scab and never found the dough on the right week to buy an annual sub for a bit, just to say I care. Deeply sympathetic for your loss, no shame in your flub in output in those circumstances. Respect your cancelling/refunding for those that did pay, ya got integrity, even though again, in this case, pretty understandable. Praying for him, and for you, and your husband and son tonight.
Meanwhile, 2026 predictions: Man I dunno. Try listening to Kingpilled (and don't be ashamed to skip 20min at a time bc he tends to go on long monologue tangents), that guy has a crazy record on predictions, and his positivity is infectious (if you can hold the theory of mind to be a right-winger). I call him "John the Baptist of the New Right." As it stands, he predicts some windfalls on tax refunds related to tariffs and trade deals and DOGE, and the economy beginning to right itself as jobs on-shore and fusion plants take off. So I'll put a few eggs in his basket and cross my fingers for all of us to get a better economy in 2026!
Hi Katya, thank you for writing again and once more, my condolences. My father will start his chemo perhaps on Friday, so that's how it's going to be a gritty year for my family.
And what else I can do? I can only turn around my life. Selling what I no longer need. Pitching for publication. Try to be there for him and mom.
The Anerican Dreamland, the cyber-suburbia I told you, excites me, all the good Americans sharing their lives and wisdom. Including you and your achievements.
I wish the best for your family this year, and all the bliss and grace for your father.
So sorry to hear about your dad. For what it’s worth, you’ve helped me feel more optimistic about the world in through your writing. Hope something somewhere can give you the same!
I'm sorry for your loss, but what a story. Also, I paid for a year but mostly I paid because of how much I loved (love) your internet maladaptation theory. I can't see any story about increased ADHD without reflecting back on that. My prediction for 2026 is that more people will discover your thinking. I am so bad at keeping on top of Substack posts that I was actually delighted to find I hadn't missed much. I'm on the other side of the pond but one day I will make it to the call in show. I look forward to the next message, whenever it comes!
I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for all of your work, sporadic or otherwise.
I am sorry for your loss. My wife lost her father earlier this year and we were good friends. She's very stoic and gave a great eulogy. I didn't realize the depth of her feelings until she broke down and shared them with me privately.
It makes me miss my dad a bit and try to treasure our time. Sometimes it's hard because our relationship is complicated.
May your father rest in peace. May God rest his soul.
Thank you
I am up early and this is the first thing I’ve read today—So moving and so beautifully written. Thank you for bringing your clear, human voice back to this space. I had made a note to find more of your writing after I read “Your phone isn’t a drug” in The New York Times in November. Now I remember why that column had such an impact on me and made me curious to know more about your view of the world, this one and others. Perhaps your father’s continuing existence is now a new portal for you to explore. Take good care of yourself and please keep writing for the love of it, not the numbers. 🙏
Thank you Len.
I am a sucker for new beginnings. I welcome the American Dreamland, as I have welcomed its previous incarnations.
I still feel unmoored after my father passed Christmas Eve 2024. I wish you and your family all the best.
And you, too.
Hey Kat, this really hit home for me. Thanks for sharing a bit of what you are going through. My father also came to me in dreams when he passed, as did my sister. A quick tip: The 40 Days of Mourning that they honor in Orthodox Christianity and other faiths is real. After these 40 days (or thereabouts), my father seemed to have entered a different place, one more detached from this one (not that he doesn't visit, but it is different and a lot less frequent). So appreciate your time with him, even if it is only in dreams.
Thank you. I believe it's real too.
I'm so sorry for your loss Katherine.
Thank you
its funny i rarely read books but when my dad got his stage 4 cancer diagnosis i read every waking moment that i didn’t have to work. i think that went on for weeks
happy to see you writing again and doing the show, but it’s perfectly acceptable to also take the time you need. i am so sorry for your loss ❤️
I’m sorry for your loss.
Consider reading “The Orphan Master’s Son”
"So the next morning I called my uncle and invited him to breakfast. He was fine – confused by the sudden hospitality, but fine. He couldn’t come. So my dad came instead."
HOLY SHIT that spooked the fuck outta me! Prophetic dreams has always been an interest of mine, part of my buy-in on psychic powers being real. Damn, girl. That hits.
Obv you know I've always been a fan, but also a scab and never found the dough on the right week to buy an annual sub for a bit, just to say I care. Deeply sympathetic for your loss, no shame in your flub in output in those circumstances. Respect your cancelling/refunding for those that did pay, ya got integrity, even though again, in this case, pretty understandable. Praying for him, and for you, and your husband and son tonight.
Meanwhile, 2026 predictions: Man I dunno. Try listening to Kingpilled (and don't be ashamed to skip 20min at a time bc he tends to go on long monologue tangents), that guy has a crazy record on predictions, and his positivity is infectious (if you can hold the theory of mind to be a right-winger). I call him "John the Baptist of the New Right." As it stands, he predicts some windfalls on tax refunds related to tariffs and trade deals and DOGE, and the economy beginning to right itself as jobs on-shore and fusion plants take off. So I'll put a few eggs in his basket and cross my fingers for all of us to get a better economy in 2026!
I was very moved by this. God bless you.
Hi Katya, thank you for writing again and once more, my condolences. My father will start his chemo perhaps on Friday, so that's how it's going to be a gritty year for my family.
And what else I can do? I can only turn around my life. Selling what I no longer need. Pitching for publication. Try to be there for him and mom.
The Anerican Dreamland, the cyber-suburbia I told you, excites me, all the good Americans sharing their lives and wisdom. Including you and your achievements.
I wish the best for your family this year, and all the bliss and grace for your father.
Condolences to you and yours. When I lost my mom, it felt like I was orphaned. It made me want to spend more time with my dad at least.
Surely no melody ever did more juicetice to a poem than this rendering by Mr Donovan Leitch?
https://youtu.be/hd4yIoXdQtU?si=8PGEhslfq9XDxdTa
_The entire album is one of a kind)