Scott Korb contemplates disgust — his own, yours — at the kind of magical thinking that promises (with fingers crossed) to protect us from all the causes of dying.
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Father’s Little Helper
While under the influence of Valium, Scott Korb reflects on all the fathers he could have been and the father he has become.
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
This week, we’re sharing stories from Brittany Packnett, Rahima Nasa, Jordan Smith, Scott Korb, and Chris Heath.
Florida, White Privilege, and Racism
My origin story—as a son, and later a father and a husband; as a citizen, a racist— has always begun in a crumpled car at the side of the highway. May 30, 1982.
Culture Shock
Scott Korb reflects on his white privilege and the state of Florida and its racist history — a state in which his life was irrevocably changed at age 5, when his father was killed by a drunk driver in May, 1982.
Between the Wolf in the Tall Grass and the Wolf in the Tall Story: A Course on Empathy
Scott Korb’s course explores the differences between empathy and sympathy, and how those nuances influence the art we make.
Discussion Questions
To generate discussion on the role of empathy in the creative practice, here are some questions based on both the talk itself and the three responses to it. * * * I. “Between the Wolf in the Tall Grass and the Wolf in the Tall Story” Much of the source material for the talk references […]
Responses
We’re delighted to share three responses to Scott’s essay “Between the Wolf in the Tall Grass and the Wolf in the Tall Story” from Paul Bloom, William Gatewood, and Daniel Raeburn. Jump to responses by Paul, William, and Daniel. * * * The Arrogance of Empathy by Paul Bloom I don’t regret calling my last […]
Reading List
Here are a few notes about the major pieces of writing I refer to in “Between the Wolf in the Tall Grass and the Wolf in the Tall Story.” I’ve provided links to those you can find online. –Scott Korb * * * McCarthy, Cormac. “The KekulĂ© Problem.” Nautilus. Apr. 20, 2017. While writing the […]
Essay
Between the Wolf in the Tall Grass and the Wolf in the Tall Story “It’s hard to escape the conclusion that the unconscious is laboring under a moral compulsion to educate us.” —Cormac McCarthy, “The KekulĂ© Problem,” Nautilus, April 20, 2017 I. The Smartest Person in the Room I often say that one of the […]

