21 Comments

Speaking of framing: I think it depends on how you frame "success." If you mean someone who's ultra-rich, with two yachts and a private jet for their cats, well, yeah, then maybe you're a failure. But if you define success as someone who has never gotten corrupted by the corrupt industry he worked in... someone who has known true love and has been happily married for the greater portion of his life... someone who hasn't given enough fucks about money to surrender his honesty, integrity, and humanity... then I'd say you are an amazing success. :)

Expand full comment
Jan 20, 2023Liked by Jared Dillian

I think you are a fucking inspiration. And awesome writer, for the record.

Expand full comment
Jan 20, 2023Liked by Jared Dillian

Sheesh! I wish I was 1/2 that failure in life.

Let’s see:

Have I written and published a book ? Nope.

A second or third book ? Nope.

Put out any music ? Nope.

Ever DJ’d a party ? Nope

Attended a military college ? Nope

Had a podcast ? Nope

Had a 2cd podcast ? Nope

Had a radio show ? Nope

Been an invited paid speaker at a conference?N.

Put together and hosted a conference ? Nope

Written a financial newsletter ? Nope

Worked at a major Wall Street firm? Nope

Built a house ? Nope.

Built a Twitter following? Nope

Gotten a MFA ? Nope

Published on Substack? Nope.

Hung out w the likes of John Mauldin? Nope.

Owned 7 cats ( simultaneously )???? Nope.

Have stylish clothes and watches? Nope.

Man I’m so glad I missed out on all those “ failures”.

Dude...do you even sleep ????

Expand full comment

Street Freak is an amazing book. I talk about it all the time. Keep going!

Expand full comment

Believe me I can tell, in ten more years you'll be an overnight success. Maybe 20, but I'm never wrong about these things, just early sometimes.

Expand full comment

You are pretty exceptional in my book.

Expand full comment
Jan 20, 2023Liked by Jared Dillian

I still remember the day that I realized I only met the love of my life because I was avoiding my family. If I had the kind of family I thought I wanted, I would not have been in Southern California over Christmas rock climbing where I met my future husband. 34 years married and still having adventures together.

I am shocked, shocked Street Freak did not sell better, it is a work of genius. That book made you so totally likable that it was my gateway to your newsletter.

Expand full comment

I agree with VP Boyle.

Expand full comment

When you win …. you win.

When you lose… you learn.

Expand full comment

How can you be a failure if I read all your stuff for more than the last year. I learn from you.

Expand full comment

i love ATEOTW. as a long-time denizen of wall st, i have a special appreciation for the freak nature of the characters and recognize most. i can also see why people outside that environment don't get it (or the amazing temporal structure), though it's plenty salacious! i don't know much about Barry Hannah. did he consider himself a failure? did he write for himself, for commercial success, for other writers? i'm going to guess that he wrote because that's who he was. you're a super prolific writer and i've enjoyed an overwhelming majority of it. keep writing -- it makes the world a better place.

Expand full comment

Great post. Reminded me a little bit of the great Michael Jordan commercial from years ago.

'In the course of my career, I have failed over and over again. And that is why I succeed'.

Expand full comment

Enjoyed this. A recent subscriber here. Hooked me when you mentioned spurring ppl. Brought back some great memories.

Expand full comment

I haven't subscribed - to keep my inbox clean - but I've bookmarked your substack and read all your essays.

Expand full comment

In our culture we fail too often when it comes to acknowledging our fellow human's gifts. It is a "capital-dominant" realm, which translates as-- Success is measured with regard to media presence. The trendy credibility that comes with magazine or television presence--to include FB and Twitter-- are part and parcel of an advancing AI-Tech managed social hierarchy. Social engineering as a systematic programming tool of a deep state, corporate hive mind construct has almost rendered we humans as unnecessary life forms within the design of the matrix. "Failure" needs to be retired from the collective jargon sphere, and replaced with "process." Life is a Process. Enjoyed your thoughts and the candid commentary on the foibles and flaws of any human being.

Expand full comment

Another great piece, thanks Jared.

Expand full comment