By way of introduction
Welcome to David Matthews Portable Bohemia at Substack. I have been writing about politics and current affairs, books, cinema, the arts, and general pursuit of the intellectual adventure on my website Portable Bohemia since 2016. Previous blogs, no longer extant, were Memo from the Fringes and House Red at Matthews Man of Letters.
My intent with Substack is to pursue a wider audience for what I trust is more than just a vanity project. The ideological tilt is to the left, although I imagine some readers will think me little better than a damn centrist or filthy moderate. To my mind, often contrarian, yes, but still from the left.
For an idea what to expect in this space, here are a few pieces recently published at Portable Bohemia:
Neutering Language, about language guidance that is all the rage at academic institutions and nonprofits of liberal persuasion
a three-part look back at Allen Ginsberg.
The Portable Bohemia newsletter for April 15 includes commentary about the trash talk affair, the Tennessee three and GOP disdain for democracy, classical education and cultural heritage, and more.
My intention is to publish something at least once a week and perhaps on occasion more frequently. I hope you will find my little essays insightful, thought provoking, and perhaps even entertaining.
Memo from the editorial desk, Apr 17, 6:20 pm. Minor, nonsubstantive edits were made after this piece was published.