Personal

The Simply Put reading list

Books are the product of taking a lot of ideas from out in the world, mixing them up with a splash of your own perspective, and baking until you have something new and interesting. In anticipation of Simply Put, I'd like to share some of those "ingredients."

August 21, 2023

•

Just two things really matter in NYC

There are only really two things that matter to this whole city. If we get them right, everything else gets easier. If we ignore them, we are left struggling, trying to put band-aids on our problems. This is the simple recipe: First, more people should be able to live where they want to live. Second, more people should be able to get around without a private car.

June 20, 2023

•

34 things I’ve learned in my 34th year

A baseball diamond isn't really a diamond. Ice cream is a health food. Sweat comes from our blood. The subway is more popular than flying. Wyoming barely has escalators. I've learned all of this and more – and now you will too.

June 12, 2023

•

So, you're graduating. Here's some advice.

After I wrap up my final lesson, I tack on a few minutes to talk about this very special moment in my students' lives. Here's what I say: this is the day the escalator stops. Nuances of personal circumstances aside, up until this point, life keeps pushing upwards and forwards. Not anymore – you have to figure out where life goes now. Since I can't answer that for you, I'll provide some others.

May 19, 2023

•

In defense of the boring, unsexy, and unpaid

After eight years, this week, my term ends on Queens Community Board 2. The community board isn’t the sexiest thing – it's full of long meetings, tedious bureaucracy, and dusty meeting rooms. But I wholeheartedly recommend you join your community board (or whatever other similar body might exist wherever you call home). It's the nutritious part of life.

April 5, 2023

•

Sign-up for my free 3 Simple Things newsletter.

Each Tuesday, I’ll send you one thing from me, one link from somebody else, and one idea to think about. That's it.

Got it. You're on the list. 🍻

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Ben Guttmann