Always really appreciate your standards and enjoy the quality, format and content of your Substack, Fred. It's informative and refreshing.
Your proposal for the next "chapter" sounds interesting. It's possible that I may have misinterpreted your intentions expressed here. However, just a small word of advice or caution: do not water down what you do by going off on so many tangents, hoping to attract more subs, that you lose the core of us who found and follow you for what you have been doing all these months.
There are a lot of Substack "generalists/ whatever's on my mind contributors" out there to follow. Many of the ones I checked out and followed initially, lost their original hook and ended up spreading their content too thinly. Personally, I stayed loyal to a very few, do hit and miss for some, and actually cancelled most. But that's just me.
Bottom line is that you have to be true to your personal motivation and desire to make a better production for you, or else you will no longer come across as the wise, genuine old geezer who cares tremendously about the world and especially his country.
That's thoughtful advice, and I genuinely appreciate it.
I don't want to become a generalist either.
Canada Strong isn't going anywhere because it's part of who I am.
What I'm exploring isn't a change in values... it's an expansion of the mission.
I'd like to add more timeless ideas around critical thinking, wisdom, AI, and the kinds of things that help us navigate life, not just today's headlines.
If anything, my goal is to become more focused, not less.
Thanks for reminding me to protect the core of what brought us all together in the first place.
I like the idea of expanding on the critical thinking theme. In my view, it is the most important tool that we can utilize in combating the misuse of AI and the spread of disinformation. Sadly. It seems that too many people have lost this crucial skill. The growth of online media has certainly not helped in this regard.
Living in total saturation of the political climate is exhausting and can't be healthy. I've found myself in a constant state of agitation, and often, outrage and defe0at. Your ideas to bring more tools to navigate what we're living through would be a welcome gift.
Critical theory is always good, but it’s hard to extract emotions when we are living in MaGA gangster universe. Yep, we are all exhausted, but the only way out is Revolution and they be political n emotional. I hear ppl express no interest in politics a lot n I think it’s a cop out. Only the privileged get to be non political right now. Your writing is excellent.
Canada should promote our own platforms n get Canadian ppl off Meta, X n Tik Tok — then we have guardrails, digital warriors who don’t let lies hate n misinformation in. This is something u would be good at. For Canada a very hot country right now n our allies… start an exit movement.
Amazing n we need excellent writing ones like yourself — I honestly get why ppl would want to be in a coma right now, but imagine if we could block so much of Putin MaGA bot rage… plus push a Canadian way— which ppl really want. I just heard about Gander n am gonna check it out. You would make an excellent digital frontier warrior, geez er n u could educate many ppl for Canada n our allies, growing by the minute.
I already shared some thoughts with you. No reply, fair enough, but then this message, possibly related. I get why you need to be cautious and you may have more reasons than I can guess because i m old and losing touch with modern communications. To some extent by attrition but also deliberate mistrust and a desire to keep my mind as much my own as I can. I m dwindling in life and yet had a pretty engaged past in social policy. It never lets go. I feel like there needs to be. a place for seniors, like the Senate -sober second thought, like First Nations have for Elders -consideration, advice ,blessing, but noone is doing that in the larger society. Churchs have faded away and local government and small councils and even the family role have all but vanished.What is the cost of that?
You in your admitted mid 70s might create some of that and I d asked what your background was. to see if it works there. I m not trying to pry, just get a feel for where people come from who stay engaged. I was in government others are in academia, media, internaitonal relations, even church and charities. I m better at writing than talking.
I do feel that beyond a personal need to keep up, there might well be a role for us elders because there seem to be. a gaping hole about how society works, about why we have the ideas and structures we do. I do not know about education of young people today and they certainly seem way more adept interpersonally than we ever were but at the same time they do not seem to value things that we fought for to keep them safe and progressing.
Is there a forum for ideas and exchanges and even social action that might work with where you want to be here? nest for ideas and progress?
Our generation has accumulated a lifetime of experience, and it would be a shame if that wisdom simply disappeared.
Part of what I'm exploring is whether GeezerWise can become more than a place to discuss current events.
I'd like it to become a place where thoughtful people exchange ideas, learn from one another, and leave the next generation a little better equipped than we found it.
I don't know exactly what that will look like yet, but conversations like this are helping shape the direction.
I always look to your posts Fred. Some of these comments resonate for me. Elder voices are required these days, balance and humour. I'll definitely stay on board, do what you do, and we'll see how it goes. You are a breath of fresh air for me
I like your ideas regarding Elders and the wisdom of age being a thing in our society. Recently my daughter accused me of our whole generation of being the fault of all the trouble in Canada and generally the world. She hates Carney because of his ties to Brookfield and WEF. I can't quite understand her reasoning but it is very hurtful to me.
I don t know about his Brookfield ties but there s a lot of propaganda around. I m not thrilled about his climate actions and very upset about pesticide options, but he is a man of character and the choices he faces are way more complex in a changing world than we might be aware of at the moment. Not like anyone s reporting on them.
I hope she doenst think that pp is a better leader. Perfect can be the enemy of good. Hang in there, she s got a good example from you and might see better as we go. And if she s right we re all doomed!
Of course Boomers are the reason everything s wrong with the world. Everyone says so, especially the corporations making out like bandits. She s pushing your buttons, Smile though it breaks your teeth would be my response.
Fred, I know where you are coming from. The politics are making me tired. I would like to follow your path. I find that I look for amusing and animal based videos in the day. I do not have the words to explain how disappointed and disjointed(?) I feel about the world just now.
I think a lot of us are carrying that same weight.
The world can feel overwhelming when every day brings another crisis, another outrage, another reason to be angry.
That's exactly why I'm thinking about broadening GeezerWise.
Politics still matters, but so do laughter, curiosity, learning, kindness, and those wonderful animal videos that remind us there's still plenty of good in the world.
If GeezerWise can help us stay informed without losing our joy, then I think we'll all be better for it. ❤️
Hi Fred - I really like the format you use - short, but useful sentences, substantive comments and enough content to let us understand what you are saying. I support your evolution, just keep the format. Long paragraphs and explanations tend to end up tl:dr. Thanks for what you do.
I like your new idea and love your work to date. Filtering out the facts from the junk is so important and a little humour is always a good mix. Thanks Geezer.
I am here for that Fred! Your writing has always been my “safe place” for trustworthy thought and the idea to pivot to what you have described would be much appreciated. As a critical thinker my mind needs more of what you are planning, the idea of adding connections to animals will be useful to many, have always had more of a profound connection to animals than humans ( have kept that to myself till now😂)
"Safe place" is one of the nicest things anyone could say about GeezerWise.
That's exactly the kind of environment I'd like to continue building...
one where we can explore important ideas, stay informed, think critically, and still make room for the things that remind us the world is bigger than politics.
And don't worry... you're among friends here.
I suspect you're not the only one who feels a stronger connection to animals than to some humans! 😊🐾
I’m finding more and more that I need the articles that bring in light not just revealing darkness. You are already one of these authors. Thanks. I appreciate your looking through the chaos to find the through lines and the good news too. I’m sure it would be a restful exercise for you and us to be better introduced to critical thinking and understanding the actual flows of information and thoughts.
"Bring in light, not just reveal darkness" really resonates with me.
I don't think we should ignore difficult realities, but neither should we let them become all we see.
If GeezerWise can help us understand what's happening while also finding wisdom, hope, and practical ways to navigate it, I think we'll all be better for it.
Thank you for putting that into words so beautifully. 😊
Great writing will always draw engaged readers. Take the time it takes to produce sentences and paragraphs and essays that invite re-reading, savoring, maybe even copying into a commonplace book. Obviously you’re already mastered the skill of writing- maybe it would be fun to think about how skill becomes art.
You already have topics and ideas that attract readers. And it sounds like you have a lot of intriguing suggestions for broadening the agenda. So if it interests you, maybe ingest some of the great essayists (Stephen Leacock?) and go from there.
It is strictly up to you Fred. You may loose some readers, keep some, but could gain more readers. Diversification form the continium of the outrage is a healhy thing to do. Without it, it can negitively inpact our mental health I myself would like to learn more of what you said about diversified subject matter but, don't have the time, money and focus anymore to tahe courses. If you provide some more insights on the subject matter that interest me that would be great. Either way you do what is best for you! Cheers and good luck!
I think you hit on exactly what I've been feeling.
Politics matters, but living in a constant state of outrage isn't healthy for any of us.
My goal isn't to stop covering Canada Strong... it's to balance it with ideas that help us think more clearly, learn something useful, and maybe even smile a little more often.
If GeezerWise can become a place where people leave feeling a little wiser instead of just a little angrier, I think that's a direction worth pursuing.
I've never left your page angry! that only comes when I read the rage baiting posters and internet rags out there. The internet is a great resourse for interlectual gain but, sadly it has become a cesspool of shit, anger, disinformation, etc. Stay strong and carry on!
We can all do without the continuing outrage that seems to fill the social media pages. You're right, it is exhausting. It's the reason why I've turned the TV off, toned down the use of Facebook, completely abandoned quora, and largelyditched reddit (although that one does have some entertainment value).
I've never liked politics, but somehow, with the advent of things trump and covid, I've been sucked into it. The direction you've described for Geezerwise sounds like it would be a place of calm, and badly needed amid the noise, and wecomed by many.
Good morning, at least in Ottawa it still is. I look for your posts every day and unless my brain is just too overwhelmed by politics, I read every one of your posts. I like your idea for expansion of topics. I think that it will help people to see more topics and particularly in the way you present the information on those topics and issues. Thanks
Thanks Fred. I have appreciated reading from someone who gets the "facts" instead of the BS that many people post "fake news". I often tell people, what you sent is fake news, when you are being directed to read the first comment, for instance, delete, it is fake! A few are learning :) I am sure that I, personally, would enjoy the news plus other interesting articles. I am a reader :)
Always really appreciate your standards and enjoy the quality, format and content of your Substack, Fred. It's informative and refreshing.
Your proposal for the next "chapter" sounds interesting. It's possible that I may have misinterpreted your intentions expressed here. However, just a small word of advice or caution: do not water down what you do by going off on so many tangents, hoping to attract more subs, that you lose the core of us who found and follow you for what you have been doing all these months.
There are a lot of Substack "generalists/ whatever's on my mind contributors" out there to follow. Many of the ones I checked out and followed initially, lost their original hook and ended up spreading their content too thinly. Personally, I stayed loyal to a very few, do hit and miss for some, and actually cancelled most. But that's just me.
Bottom line is that you have to be true to your personal motivation and desire to make a better production for you, or else you will no longer come across as the wise, genuine old geezer who cares tremendously about the world and especially his country.
❤️🇨🇦
Thank you, Cath.
That's thoughtful advice, and I genuinely appreciate it.
I don't want to become a generalist either.
Canada Strong isn't going anywhere because it's part of who I am.
What I'm exploring isn't a change in values... it's an expansion of the mission.
I'd like to add more timeless ideas around critical thinking, wisdom, AI, and the kinds of things that help us navigate life, not just today's headlines.
If anything, my goal is to become more focused, not less.
Thanks for reminding me to protect the core of what brought us all together in the first place.
I like the idea of expanding on the critical thinking theme. In my view, it is the most important tool that we can utilize in combating the misuse of AI and the spread of disinformation. Sadly. It seems that too many people have lost this crucial skill. The growth of online media has certainly not helped in this regard.
Thanks, Kevin.
I think you've captured exactly what's been rattling around in my head.
The more I think about it, the more I believe critical thinking isn't just another topic... it's the foundation for everything else.
Whether it's AI, politics, media, or everyday life, it helps us make better decisions.
That's the direction I'm hoping GeezerWise grows toward.
Not just keeping up with what's happening in the world, but helping all of us navigate it a little more wisely.
Thanks for adding to the conversation. 🇨🇦
Since you said that critical thinking is foundational, perhaps that could be a way to link all these topics together.
No worries. The critical thinking aspect is definitely (geezer) wise!
Living in total saturation of the political climate is exhausting and can't be healthy. I've found myself in a constant state of agitation, and often, outrage and defe0at. Your ideas to bring more tools to navigate what we're living through would be a welcome gift.
Thanks, Cori.
I think you've described what a lot of us are feeling.
Staying informed matters, but living in a constant state of agitation isn't good for anyone.
My hope is that GeezerWise can still help us understand what's happening while also giving us practical tools to think more clearly,
stay grounded, and not lose sight of the good that's still out there.
Thanks for encouraging this new direction. ❤️
Critical theory is always good, but it’s hard to extract emotions when we are living in MaGA gangster universe. Yep, we are all exhausted, but the only way out is Revolution and they be political n emotional. I hear ppl express no interest in politics a lot n I think it’s a cop out. Only the privileged get to be non political right now. Your writing is excellent.
Canada should promote our own platforms n get Canadian ppl off Meta, X n Tik Tok — then we have guardrails, digital warriors who don’t let lies hate n misinformation in. This is something u would be good at. For Canada a very hot country right now n our allies… start an exit movement.
Thanks, Gayma.
I don't think staying informed is a cop-out either.
Politics affects all of us, and Canada Strong will remain an important part of GeezerWise.
What I'm hoping to do is add another dimension.
Not less awareness, but more resilience.
More critical thinking.
More practical tools to help us navigate the noise without letting it consume us.
If we can stay informed and stay grounded, I think we'll all be better equipped for whatever comes next.
Thanks for sharing your perspective.
Amazing n we need excellent writing ones like yourself — I honestly get why ppl would want to be in a coma right now, but imagine if we could block so much of Putin MaGA bot rage… plus push a Canadian way— which ppl really want. I just heard about Gander n am gonna check it out. You would make an excellent digital frontier warrior, geez er n u could educate many ppl for Canada n our allies, growing by the minute.
I already shared some thoughts with you. No reply, fair enough, but then this message, possibly related. I get why you need to be cautious and you may have more reasons than I can guess because i m old and losing touch with modern communications. To some extent by attrition but also deliberate mistrust and a desire to keep my mind as much my own as I can. I m dwindling in life and yet had a pretty engaged past in social policy. It never lets go. I feel like there needs to be. a place for seniors, like the Senate -sober second thought, like First Nations have for Elders -consideration, advice ,blessing, but noone is doing that in the larger society. Churchs have faded away and local government and small councils and even the family role have all but vanished.What is the cost of that?
You in your admitted mid 70s might create some of that and I d asked what your background was. to see if it works there. I m not trying to pry, just get a feel for where people come from who stay engaged. I was in government others are in academia, media, internaitonal relations, even church and charities. I m better at writing than talking.
I do feel that beyond a personal need to keep up, there might well be a role for us elders because there seem to be. a gaping hole about how society works, about why we have the ideas and structures we do. I do not know about education of young people today and they certainly seem way more adept interpersonally than we ever were but at the same time they do not seem to value things that we fought for to keep them safe and progressing.
Is there a forum for ideas and exchanges and even social action that might work with where you want to be here? nest for ideas and progress?
Thanks, Bev.
I think you've touched on something important.
Our generation has accumulated a lifetime of experience, and it would be a shame if that wisdom simply disappeared.
Part of what I'm exploring is whether GeezerWise can become more than a place to discuss current events.
I'd like it to become a place where thoughtful people exchange ideas, learn from one another, and leave the next generation a little better equipped than we found it.
I don't know exactly what that will look like yet, but conversations like this are helping shape the direction.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I always look to your posts Fred. Some of these comments resonate for me. Elder voices are required these days, balance and humour. I'll definitely stay on board, do what you do, and we'll see how it goes. You are a breath of fresh air for me
Thanks so much, Audrey.
That means a lot to me.
I don't want GeezerWise to lose its voice...
I want it to grow while keeping the things that brought us together in the first place.
If I can continue to offer some balance, a little humour, and hopefully a bit of wisdom along the way, I'll be a happy old geezer. 😊🇨🇦
Hi Bev,
I like your ideas regarding Elders and the wisdom of age being a thing in our society. Recently my daughter accused me of our whole generation of being the fault of all the trouble in Canada and generally the world. She hates Carney because of his ties to Brookfield and WEF. I can't quite understand her reasoning but it is very hurtful to me.
I don t know about his Brookfield ties but there s a lot of propaganda around. I m not thrilled about his climate actions and very upset about pesticide options, but he is a man of character and the choices he faces are way more complex in a changing world than we might be aware of at the moment. Not like anyone s reporting on them.
I hope she doenst think that pp is a better leader. Perfect can be the enemy of good. Hang in there, she s got a good example from you and might see better as we go. And if she s right we re all doomed!
Of course Boomers are the reason everything s wrong with the world. Everyone says so, especially the corporations making out like bandits. She s pushing your buttons, Smile though it breaks your teeth would be my response.
Fred, I know where you are coming from. The politics are making me tired. I would like to follow your path. I find that I look for amusing and animal based videos in the day. I do not have the words to explain how disappointed and disjointed(?) I feel about the world just now.
Thanks, Penny.
I think a lot of us are carrying that same weight.
The world can feel overwhelming when every day brings another crisis, another outrage, another reason to be angry.
That's exactly why I'm thinking about broadening GeezerWise.
Politics still matters, but so do laughter, curiosity, learning, kindness, and those wonderful animal videos that remind us there's still plenty of good in the world.
If GeezerWise can help us stay informed without losing our joy, then I think we'll all be better for it. ❤️
Hi Fred - I really like the format you use - short, but useful sentences, substantive comments and enough content to let us understand what you are saying. I support your evolution, just keep the format. Long paragraphs and explanations tend to end up tl:dr. Thanks for what you do.
Thanks, Bruce.
That's really helpful feedback.
One thing I don't intend to change is the writing style.
I like short paragraphs, plain language, and getting to the point.
If GeezerWise evolves, I want the ideas to grow... not the word count! 😊
I like your new idea and love your work to date. Filtering out the facts from the junk is so important and a little humour is always a good mix. Thanks Geezer.
Thanks, Vinny.
I think you've summed up exactly what I'm aiming for...
helping separate the facts from the junk without forgetting to enjoy the journey now and then.
A little humour can make even the heaviest topics easier to carry.
Thanks for sticking with me, my friend. 😊
I am here for that Fred! Your writing has always been my “safe place” for trustworthy thought and the idea to pivot to what you have described would be much appreciated. As a critical thinker my mind needs more of what you are planning, the idea of adding connections to animals will be useful to many, have always had more of a profound connection to animals than humans ( have kept that to myself till now😂)
Thanks, Shelley.
"Safe place" is one of the nicest things anyone could say about GeezerWise.
That's exactly the kind of environment I'd like to continue building...
one where we can explore important ideas, stay informed, think critically, and still make room for the things that remind us the world is bigger than politics.
And don't worry... you're among friends here.
I suspect you're not the only one who feels a stronger connection to animals than to some humans! 😊🐾
I’m finding more and more that I need the articles that bring in light not just revealing darkness. You are already one of these authors. Thanks. I appreciate your looking through the chaos to find the through lines and the good news too. I’m sure it would be a restful exercise for you and us to be better introduced to critical thinking and understanding the actual flows of information and thoughts.
Thanks, Rebecca.
"Bring in light, not just reveal darkness" really resonates with me.
I don't think we should ignore difficult realities, but neither should we let them become all we see.
If GeezerWise can help us understand what's happening while also finding wisdom, hope, and practical ways to navigate it, I think we'll all be better for it.
Thank you for putting that into words so beautifully. 😊
Great writing will always draw engaged readers. Take the time it takes to produce sentences and paragraphs and essays that invite re-reading, savoring, maybe even copying into a commonplace book. Obviously you’re already mastered the skill of writing- maybe it would be fun to think about how skill becomes art.
You already have topics and ideas that attract readers. And it sounds like you have a lot of intriguing suggestions for broadening the agenda. So if it interests you, maybe ingest some of the great essayists (Stephen Leacock?) and go from there.
Cheers!
Thank you.
That's a thoughtful comment, and one I'll probably reread a few times.
I like the idea of creating pieces that people return to rather than simply consume once and forget.
That's very much the direction I'm hoping GeezerWise grows toward.
I appreciate the encouragement...
and the reminder that there's always another level to aim for.
It is strictly up to you Fred. You may loose some readers, keep some, but could gain more readers. Diversification form the continium of the outrage is a healhy thing to do. Without it, it can negitively inpact our mental health I myself would like to learn more of what you said about diversified subject matter but, don't have the time, money and focus anymore to tahe courses. If you provide some more insights on the subject matter that interest me that would be great. Either way you do what is best for you! Cheers and good luck!
Thanks Keith.
I think you hit on exactly what I've been feeling.
Politics matters, but living in a constant state of outrage isn't healthy for any of us.
My goal isn't to stop covering Canada Strong... it's to balance it with ideas that help us think more clearly, learn something useful, and maybe even smile a little more often.
If GeezerWise can become a place where people leave feeling a little wiser instead of just a little angrier, I think that's a direction worth pursuing.
Thanks for the encouragement. 😊
I've never left your page angry! that only comes when I read the rage baiting posters and internet rags out there. The internet is a great resourse for interlectual gain but, sadly it has become a cesspool of shit, anger, disinformation, etc. Stay strong and carry on!
Thanks, Keith.
That may be one of the nicest compliments I've received.
I don't mind readers leaving with something to think about, but I'd hate for them to leave feeling angrier than when they arrived.
My hope is that GeezerWise can continue to be a place for clear thinking, honest conversation, and maybe the occasional smile.
Thanks for being part of it.
I think we are all tired of the politics from the US and how they have almost detonated the rest of world .
Yes all of your list of topics would be a refreshing change and certainly a more positive food for thought.
Thanks, Donelda.
I think you've captured what many people have been saying.
Politics still matters, but it doesn't have to dominate every conversation.
My hope is to keep covering the important issues while making room for ideas that help us think, learn, and enjoy life a little more.
Thanks for your encouragement. 😊
We can all do without the continuing outrage that seems to fill the social media pages. You're right, it is exhausting. It's the reason why I've turned the TV off, toned down the use of Facebook, completely abandoned quora, and largelyditched reddit (although that one does have some entertainment value).
I've never liked politics, but somehow, with the advent of things trump and covid, I've been sucked into it. The direction you've described for Geezerwise sounds like it would be a place of calm, and badly needed amid the noise, and wecomed by many.
Thanks, Elly.
"A place of calm amid the noise" really resonates with me.
I don't want GeezerWise to become a place where we ignore what's happening in the world...
I want it to be a place where we can understand it without being consumed by it.
If readers can leave feeling informed, thoughtful, and just a little lighter than when they arrived, I'd consider that a success.
Thanks for sharing this. 😊
Good morning, at least in Ottawa it still is. I look for your posts every day and unless my brain is just too overwhelmed by politics, I read every one of your posts. I like your idea for expansion of topics. I think that it will help people to see more topics and particularly in the way you present the information on those topics and issues. Thanks
Thanks, Brian.
I really appreciate that.
I think you've touched on something important... the goal isn't simply to cover more topics, it's to approach them in the same GeezerWise way.
Clear thinking, plain language, a little perspective, and hopefully something useful to take away.
Thanks for being part of the journey. 😊
Thanks Fred. I have appreciated reading from someone who gets the "facts" instead of the BS that many people post "fake news". I often tell people, what you sent is fake news, when you are being directed to read the first comment, for instance, delete, it is fake! A few are learning :) I am sure that I, personally, would enjoy the news plus other interesting articles. I am a reader :)
Thanks, Patsy.
I really appreciate that.
One thing I'd like GeezerWise to continue doing is helping separate facts from the noise, regardless of the topic.
And since you're a reader, I hope you'll enjoy where this next chapter takes us.
There are so many interesting things to explore that help us think, learn, and smile a little more along the way. 😊
I like your idea of evolving, I will stick around for it. Thanks
Thanks, Rob.
I really appreciate that vote of confidence.
It means a lot to know you'll be along for the ride. 😊