Apple's new CEO used to be nicknamed “Crash”
A reason to read about nominative determinism today.
Good morning, everyone.
I’m sitting in my sunny hotel lobby in London, and I’m looking forward to meeting some of you this week. If there’s anything I absolutely must do, see, drink, while I’m here, let me know in the comments.
Today’s newsletter includes: Lena Dunham on navigating rooms with people who don’t “get” your vision, food newsletter Caper wants to cover New York Fashion Week, and a South Street Seaport restaurant that seems to have appeared overnight.
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Guest Lecture: Lena Dunham
This interview is part of a Feed Me feature called Guest Lecture. In this series, I introduce you all to an expert who I’m curious about, and give paid readers an opportunity to ask them anything they want. Past guests have included Vanity Fair’s Mark Guiducci, Alison Roman, and Link in Bio’s Rachel Karten.
Today, Lena Dunham — director, creator of Girls, author of Famesick — answers your questions about living in Northwest Connecticut, what she’s learned about her style of leadership on set, and how her parents have influenced her career.
“If you could choose one of your pets to be able to text with, which would you choose and what would they say?” - MacKinley
1000p my dog Ingrid- she’s so snarky, so un-phased and has real opinions about what and who we watch on TV (yes Kerry Washington, no David Attenborough). She’d be that friend who is available for banter and not available for vulnerability, but you know she’s ultimately on your team (so it’s okay that she’s a massive see you next Tuesday).
“I’m curious what it was like to piece together these highly specific anecdotes from over your lifetime. Did you keep diaries? Does your iCloud have all your old photos and texts, and, if so, did you reference those at all?” - Emily
During the six-year period we were shooting Girls, I kept datebooks- that’s how long ago this was! I used to buy them at Papyrus in Soho 🤣 . They contained my schedule, appointments and to do’s, but as time went on I also started taking notes at the end of the day, scribbling thoughts on not just what I’d done (and what I hadn’t done) but what I’d felt.
I have my entire Gmail inbox from that period loaded onto a chunky hard drive, along with more photos than any one person needs of their own life.
I tried hard to take an investigative approach to my own experiences, something I learned from my friend David Carr and his book, The Night of the Gun.
“I’d love to know how spending a significant time in such a rural and small community impacts your work?” - Rebecca
Yesss Northwest CT! I’ve been lucky enough to travel to some beautiful places, and to me it remains the most beautiful place in the world.
My father grew up in Connecticut, on the Long Island Sound. We ended up in Litchfield about thirty years ago, at first as weekend visitors. But slowly it became our base. When people hear Connecticut they usually imagine something suburban, white picket fences, so I always have to explain that this is a different vibe. Our town is tiny, close-knit and gets barely a bar of cell service. For a long time that was our respite from NY, but now it’s our normal, and what I love most is the space it creates for us all to consume and make art. I am also so heartened by our connection to our neighbors, who do nice things expecting nothing in return and I know we could rely on in a variety of situations. Small-town life really does have a quality of safety and connection that, if you tap into it and aren’t resisting, is what it’s all about!
“What are the most niche corners of TikTok and Substack you’ve enjoyed since you started posting on them?” - Samara
I was lurking on TikTok for many moons before ever posting, and my algorithm was pretty much: chronically ill women languishing to Lana in hospital beds, Australian sex workers counting their cash, and piglets learning to trust. What can I say? I’m a simple gal.
“Understanding how to stay true to your own vision in a commercial medium is a lifelong pursuit, and one of the many reasons I love writing prose.”