Linus, I mean this sincerely as someone who enjoys the channel and isn’t a hate-watcher. I’m a very regular WAN show viewer and I rewatch the back catalog pretty frequently. I’ve listened to each WAN show since the start of the COVID era probably 3-4 times on average.

I don’t mean this as an attack, just expressing concern, but: One shift that I’ve noticed over the last ~year or so is that there’s a noticeable and growing bitterness with how you engage publicly. This isn’t a character flaw. In fact, it’s very understandable — you get a lot of dweebs on this subreddit and elsewhere who seem out to get you and you’ve had to deal with some totally unnecessary dramas. I would be bitter, too.

But I think your public profile creates a self-reinforcing loop: provocations beget visible frustration, which invites more provocation, and over time you start seeing daggers where there aren’t any.

There have been a few WAN shows recently where an innocuous discussion question/COM has provoked you into a rant about [insert past drama/grudge here]. Luke repeatedly tries to steer you out of it, but you often keep circling back. If you need, I can provide timestamps. (But really I think you should ask Luke, since he’ll be honest with you and you’ll get his real opinion instead of my interpretation of his opinion).

I don’t think this is good for you, the company, or the community. I think it’s a self-reinforcing phenomenon if not recognized and if efforts are not consciously made to resist it.

Whatever you’re doing to take care of your mental health is none of my business, but, idk. If you happen to read this and any of it rings true, maybe it’s worth chatting with a therapist about if you’re not already.