An Arguer’s Lookbook
In fashion retail, there is a term “lookbook.” A lookbook is a collection of photographs to showcase a designer’s work or show how things can pair together. Lookbooks visually lock in a vibe. If you peruse lookbooks, you probably gravitate to the looks that best fit your own style. Some lookbook boards are really clever, not just giving you an accessory pairing but attempting a unique approach like pattern mixing or unexpected balances of masculine and feminine, so you can stretch out of your comfort zone and avoid a fashion rut.
As a multi-media content creator, I have a mental writing-style lookbook for both my writing and other people’s work. This stimulates the energy to digest the journalistic style of others to go beyond the category of topic. I want to appreciate their command of language, their personality, and their often viciously hidden opinions. Each one creates a “lookbook” in my mind of journalistic styles: Edgy, cavalier, or sarcastic with a hint of schadenfreude, etc. There are some that really stop me in my tracks and cause a rippling altering of my own rhetoric. There was one seasoned author in particular who has sparked a new favorite page in my journalistic lookbook: bold arguments laced with thoughtful consideration while not simply ‘keeping the peace’ (That’s a long title…what should we title this ‘look’? “Respectful Banter?”) It was delicious because it was opinionated, layers were being peeled and thoughts were unapologetically shared teasing the lines of combat.
Here’s how it all went down between me and Nevin E. Adams, JD, Chief Content Officer for the American Retirement Association before he knew I stalk his content. It was an ordinary day: insane, busy, wonderfully chaotic, and exceptionally systematic. I was casually taking in online content and the algorithm fed me an article addressing a survey by American Century Investments. The article was entitled “Regret Able” and it had me so fired up with annoyance that I wrote and published an article in response. I called his article “boring but true” and spilled my feelings about it into the digital universe. What came next was to the level of Puerto Rican coffee on an empty stomach, I was revved. Not only did the author comment on my article, “wow. Thanks for reading (I think)…” but he wrote an article back. It wasn’t the attention to my opinions that had me so revved (though that was pretty cool) it was the way he digested my opinion and created continued dialogue. There was no pie-throwing. There was no bashing. It was an unfolding. In that moment I realized exactly how much I craved the discourse for progress. I do absolutely fawn over dialogue that allows all parties to flesh-out ideas, delineate issues, and provoke thought with the bonus being the birth of a new action for positive progress. It is one of the reasons I started Pull to Refresh on Clubhouse with my cohost, Jake Linney. To create a space for 401k experts to get curious, sometimes challenge the way of things, and ultimately influence positive progress for everyone. It is why we say on the show, “gloves are off, diplomacy is low, but we listen to learn not to reply.”
I believe we need more discourse to rethink how we think, for the sake of growth, but we also simultaneously need more respect for each other, especially in the digital space where we can hide behind our keyboards. There are too many crushing stories of trolls and social media rants that create a tornado of pain instead of progress. Here is to you and me (and my new friend, Nevin Adams) working to promote positive progress through bold and respectful dialogue.
