Dennis Lyons

Here is a link to "Art and Authority," my latest post on Cultural Capital-Art, Politics, and Everything else. https://lnkd.in/ePAqUBja

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My full-length post-mortem analysis of the Question 4 campaign is still in the works, but for the time being here's my 3-tweet takeaway after a few days of reflection: The Question 4 campaign here in Massachusetts, the power players behind it, and the total failure that was Tuesday night’s election are a fascinating microcosm of the foundational ineptitude of the Democratic establishment at large. Case in point: Dewey Square Group (born in 1993) is the faux-progressive brainchild of the Clintonite/neoliberal elite… DSG is a “grass tops” consulting firm: designed to co-opt and repackage populist ideologies into watered down, corporate-friendly Uniparty drivel. Out of touch, glaringly and embarrassingly inept — and yet somehow still clinging to power due to the influence of their largely nepotistic networks and a consistently sharp-elbowed approach to dealing with outsider input. Sound familiar? PS - This is intended as a critique of the political machinations at work, not an attack on or condemnation of the character of any individuals involved.

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Ask Vivian: The One Question I Always Get (A few thoughts from my Times career advice column; on how to set yourself up for future success in your work.) https://lnkd.in/eVSC2ZFw Q: I joined The Times about a year ago. Although I’m not looking to move up yet, it would be good to know what to do to set myself up for advancement in the newsroom. What would you recommend? A: One of the best things you can do is to be your own advocate. It sounds like a cliché, but it will make an impact in a place like The Times. This is true at any stage of your career, but it’s especially important to get into the habit of doing it early in your time here. We’d all like to believe that our work speaks for itself. But that’s not always going to be the case. If you just published an interesting story or helped put together an incredible graphic, you need to make sure that your best friend isn’t the only person who knows about it. Start by thinking about who you want to showcase your skills to — is it your department head, an editor in another department, or someone on the masthead? Think about who you would want as your advocates and be cognizant about putting yourself forward whenever you interact with people who could have some influence over your career. So, say you’re in a meeting with a higher-level editor you don’t know very well, make sure you participate and contribute something during the meeting — don’t be a wallflower. However you do it, try to do it as organically and as often as you can. This is a numbers game — the more people you know (and who know you and your work), the more likely you’re going to get that next job you want. For many of us, this will feel outside of our comfort zone. I get it, and in fact, I was right there with you when I joined The Times 27 years ago. But I found a way to promote my work in a way that felt authentic and so can you. Here’s how I did it: Whenever I wanted to show my friends something great I’d accomplished, whether it was nailing an interview or getting a story published on A1, I tried to redirect some of that energy and also share it with at least one person beyond my circle. Try it out and see if this approach — which, by the way, works in any part of our organization — makes sense for you. If this still feels out of reach, that’s OK. You can start even smaller. For example, if you run into a manager who you want to connect with, you can approach them with some other topic. Maybe you want to chat about someone else’s story that impressed you that day, or a photograph that you found impactful or a graphic that blew your mind. Regardless of what you want to talk about, find a way to start the conversation. Ask good questions. Show people how you think. Remember, the next time you wrap up something you’re proud of, consider sharing it with someone you want to know, and you’ll be on your way to building a relationship that could pay dividends in the future.

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The twofold increase in the number of BRICS members – with more hopefuls waiting in a queue – indicates growing discontent with the international political and financial systems, which, many believe, protect the geopolitical interests of the “developed few” with scant regard for the “developing majority.” The bloc’s rapid expansion is a wake-up for the US to embrace a more equitable global governance system. Or else, it may risk even close allies drifting away for alternatives. Turkiye is a good case in point. https://lnkd.in/gc3B5ibE

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New review by Zachary Shore of Andrew J. Bacevich's _On Shedding an Obsolete Past: Bidding Farewell to the American Century_. https://lnkd.in/dkEcDV67 "If you ever worry that America is being run by a bumbling mass of venal nincompoops, or fret that American society is slouching toward self-destruction, Andrew Bacevich’s collected essays will provide ample fodder for your fears. _On Shedding an Obsolete Past: Bidding Farewell to the American Century_ is not a work of scholarship, but rather a compilation of learned opinions. Bacevich peppers his pieces with a sprinkle of sarcasm and a dash of venomous invective, pulling no punches, barbs, or jibes as he excoriates the United States’ institutions, most notably its military, media, and political elites. Unfortunately, he has no shortage of material, and not just regarding President Donald Trump, a 'bozo of such monumental proportions as to tax the abilities of our most talented satirists' (129). Bacevich himself might qualify for membership in that club of humorists. When discussing the efforts to impeach the former president, he quips that replacing Trump with Vice President Mike Pence is 'the equivalent of exchanging Groucho for Harpo' (304). But Trump is just the lowest hanging fruit. The author reaches much deeper. Bacevich’s primary concern is with the eight-decade-old paradigm of America as the 'indispensable nation,' a notion he views as dangerously obsolete. As he sees it, a self-reproducing cadre of foreign policy gurus, sometimes called 'the Blob,' has convinced itself that US military dominance and overseas meddling are requirements of a stable world order, one that largely benefits the US. Although this notion does nothing to aid average Americans, it preserves the status of the establishment."

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There are some very positive numbers coming out from sites like Boston Globe Media and The Guardian about BlueSky. It turns out, when a social network doesn't actively hate and undermine links, they are clicked a lot more. Funny, that. There are a lot of moving parts to reversing the decline of news. Nothing is a cure-all. But having social media that encourages outside links, the vital connective tissue of the web, is a meaningful step. #journalism #news #SocialMedia

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Most people I talk politics with are quite surprised that I’m a conservative Republican, because all journalists are liberals, right? Well, I’m kind-of a different breed of journalist. First off, I never went to J-school. In fact, journalism was my Plan B, as I’d hoped to work for the state, prosecuting criminals, but in 1991, assistant state attorneys earned $26,000 a year so law school was cost-prohibitive. My first reporter job paid $26,000 without six-figure law school debt. I have a political science degree with economics as a minor, plus a year towards a master’s in theology, along with a year of undergrad in biomedical science - an atypical mix of disciplines. I’ve been covering government — government budgets, government boondoggles, government bad behavior and government bungling — since 1993. Try doing that day-in and day-out while remaining a liberal. I’m also a Roman Catholic and socially conservative. I am staunchly pro-life and pro-parental rights. My son has attended Catholic school on a school-choice scholarship since the 7th grade, and don’t even get me started about what goes on in the public schools. But only about 1 in 7 journalists in the U.S. is a Republican or identifies as conservative, and only about one-third claim a religious affiliation, so I do fully understand the misconception that I’m a liberal Dem.

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My latest New York Post column

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Where to watch, how to follow the 156th running of the Belmont Stakes (which, for the second year now, is not on NBC like the other Triple Crown races are) https://lnkd.in/eTbK9isW

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New in Contrarian Boston: -Clueless NPR: Network’s White House correspondent declares debate over replacing Biden “on ice” after Trump assassination attempt -Tit for tat? As prices and rents soar, State House feuding kills a proposal that could have boosted new housing development -Brush with death: All eyes on Trump after assassin’s bullet comes within a millimeter or two of killing the former president -The results are in: Contrarian Boston’s latest presidential race poll finds little support for Dems to stick with Biden -Moment of truth: The Wu administration will take its controversial tax hike plan to the State House on Tuesday #mapoli #bospoli #boston #massachusetts #bidenbowout #Biden #TrumpAssasinationAttempt #Trump #housing #homeprices #rents #affordablehousing #CRE #office Tamara Small #Dems #GOPConvention Jim Stergios #development #developers #Construction #realestatemarket #media #npr #MWRA #water #taxes #LocalNews #BreakingNews #officemarket Gregory Maynard Marty Walz Randi Grohe Lathrop

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#Writing may be a solitary endeavor, but that doesn't mean #writers should toil alone from start to finish. Communities like these provide support, education, and sometimes credibility. Browse this roundup and see if one or two groups might be a good fit for your needs. https://lnkd.in/gMfC7vAX #writetip #writingtip

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#Writing may be a solitary endeavor, but that doesn't mean #writers should toil alone from start to finish. Communities like these provide support, education, and sometimes credibility. Browse this roundup and see if one or two groups might be a good fit for your needs. https://lnkd.in/gMfC7vAX #writetip #writingtip

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#Writing may be a solitary endeavor, but that doesn't mean #writers should toil alone from start to finish. Communities like these provide support, education, and sometimes credibility. Browse this roundup and see if one or two groups might be a good fit for your needs. https://lnkd.in/gMfC7vAX #writetip #writingtip

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Is your manuscript ready for the world? My latest blog post breaks down the 4 key stages of book editing (and when you need each one), including: ️• How to spot a trustworthy editor (avoid shady characters!) ️• The editing timeline (is there overlap?) • Acceptable error rates (so you know what to expect) Ready to level up your editing game? Get your manuscript shining like a diamond. ✨ Read the full post and conquer the book editing process like a pro! #bookediting #writingcommunity #authorlife #amwriting #bookstagram #writersofinstagram #selfpublishing #booktok #indieauthors

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