(2004-04-09) Nyc Notes

Miscellany NYC notes:

• Clay Shirky interview that's simply exquisite. No one gets up in the morning thinking "Today, I'd like incontrovertible proof that I'm not the smartest one here, or the sexiest, or the funniest, or..." but that's just what happens, every day. You a painter? So's Chuck Close - take a number. Got a gig at a salsa club? Tito played there. Want to be a banker? The guy at the head of the line is HenryKravis... I don't know if there's a DSM-IV category for it, but a lot of New Yorkers are exhausted by excellence. So when my turn with the magic wand comes around, I'll use it to turn the snarkiness dial down, way down. Criticize, sure - if something's bullshit, say so, and if you have an insight about how something might be better, sing it, and sing it loud. It is New York, after all. But when you feel yourself about to criticize something because you just can't stand how good it is (and you know you do this, we all do), at that moment, stop. Stop, because it will turn you into the kind of small-minded champion of mediocrity we all came here to escape. Every day, you've got a choice - am I gonna be one of the 45, or am I gonna be one of the 7 million. And being snarky about other people's good work ain't gonna help you with that.

• John Patrick enjoys a good visit.

• Anil Dash pointed me toward this logo that looks like the Statue Of Liberty being held up at an ATM machine.