It's gotta be Fred Rogers for me, even after all these years. Pick almost anything from the catalog, not just the well-known stuff like Officer Clemmons. Even his speech to the U.S. Senate.
I think all my travels have had the biggest influence on me. Experiencing the common threads of humanity around the world as well as the differences in food, language, culture, music that add a touch of uniqueness to it all has truly removed any sense of tribalism from me.
Also, being an avid reader of black history has served to strongly reinforce that.
Growing up in a small town in Waukesha County, Wisconsin; like a lot of my kids, I looked up to my dad for a lot of things. He introduced me to Star Wars, Packers' football, Rush, blue collar assembly work, etc.
Unfortunately, this would also transition to the news I woud watch (Fox News), which also lead to opinions I am ashamed to have had.
Some of my high school friends were way more progressive than I was and we went to see Letters From Iwo Jima and I remember leaving the theater moved at the portrayl of Japanese soldiers.
My education of history up to that point, as I recall, was always about what happened. Not much of an insight of why things happened. Effectively, it would be ingrained in my young brain that Japan attacked Pearl Harbor because they hated us because we had freedom.
Watching the film, it hit me that I had no idea about what really goes on outside Waukesha County, Wisconsin. The main character, Saigo didn't hate, he was thrust into war and just wanted to be home. A universal feeling that transcends all cultures.
It took a couple more years in college to really get to the mindset I am now so it didn't happen the instant I walked out of the theater. It was definitely the spark and I never thought it would be a Clint Eastwood film that would ignite it.
For me, it’s For All Mankind on Apple TV. It’s a reminder that the future we all dreamt about as kids isn’t as far away as it may seem (and the only thing stopping us from achieving it is ourselves)
*I’m only on season 3 though, so no spoilers please 🤫
I love that show so much! It's the hopefulness of it. I'm a fan of the work of Kim Stanley Robinson (who wrote the Mars trilogy that, I think, For All Mankind has borrowed from a tiny bit), and he has the same take on the near future - it's going to be one hell of a mess, but we'll find a way to muddle through, by muddling through *together*.
Thanks so much for including Grapes of Wrath, I've never took the chance to read it, however I remember my parents conversation regarding it when I was younger, I believe they saw the movie? I have ordered the paperback for future reading. Also love Dylan's songs. Your son is very smart!
I already replied to you on Threads with this, so, apologies for the echo - but it's Ursula Le Guin's "A Wizard Of Earthsea." I've read it maybe a dozen times over the last 40 years, and each time its message changed for me:
- as a teen, I loved the adventure of it, the boy wizard stepping into his power, and all that stuff.
- as a 20-something, I saw how it wasn't just his story - it was his supportive network, the sacrifices of friends & family, the importance of belonging and of finding your network and becoming an active part in it, instead of being filled with "heroic" self-obsessed individualism, which is a sad and increasingly lonely way to live.
- now in my 50s, I see it's also a cautionary tale about how fickle power is, & the wisdom of having power & not using it for your own sake, & the impact of doing quiet things no bard will ever sing about.
I'm also 100% with you on "The Grapes Of Wrath". Holy hell, that opening passage about the land parching and turning to dust, the inexorable horror of it, that'll stay with me forever.
Loved that book when I first read it in my teens. Confess that I have not read it since, but maybe ... I devoured the rest of Ursula LeGuin's work too in my late teens, and particularly enjoyed "The Left Hand of Darkness." Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury were two others at the time who were important influences on my world view. As with many science fiction authors of that general era, their works often reflected our society and at the same time aspired to something better.
Justin - I’m enjoying Platypus Economics! Thank you for this post. I’m seeing so many great suggestions from other readers. Here are mine:
I have Strunk & White on my list too, but it was Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird that gave me a blueprint for getting words onto a page instead of being blocked by my own perfectionism.
I have loved Gordon the Goat by Munro Leaf since second grade. I purchased it at a scholastic book fair and its message never gets old for me.
The Nothing That Is by Robert Kaplan tells the story of the number zero. I found the history of this idea fascinating.
North of North is a Canadian tv series available on Netflix. Set in Nunavut, the main character Siaja faces her life with courage, grace, and a big dose of imposter syndrome. I hope there’s a season 2 coming.
Thanks Justin. A delightful piece. Reading Peter Singer changed my views on eating animals. Reading Sam Harris changed my view on free will. Reading Paul Theroux changed my view on solo travel. About a decade ago, I switched from a diet of mostly nonfiction to mostly fiction. I now seek out books that take me to unfamiliar worlds, with narrators who aren't like me. Particular favourites in recent years include Sally Rooney's Intermezzo, Callan Wink's Bear-Tooth, Sierra Greer's Annie Bot, Bonnie Garmus's Lessons in Chemistry and Gabrielle Zevin's Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. More recommendations here: https://www.andrewleigh.com/favourite_books_of_2025 & https://www.andrewleigh.com/favourite_books_of_2024 & https://www.andrewleigh.com/favourite_books_of_2023
Thank you for this great question and for your honesty, Justin. Obviously there are many inputs that shape us, but I can think of two off the bat that I've experienced. When I was in high school in 1965, my best friend showed me a copy of a progressive publication called The Realist. This, along with other exposures, set me on a progressive path for life. (Even now I seem to be out of step with the majority, though, which still baffles me. Progressivism just seems so logical.) The second influence is the book/TV series Outlander, specifically the part where our 20th-century protagonist goes back to an 18th-century plantation and is horrified by the way the slaves are treated. This got me thinking about whether a single person with insight and determination could actually redo events and change the course of history, given the ability to travel in time. So I have been writing a book series based on that very question. I am now working on Book 4, but I am not going to tell you what I've concluded. I'll let you cogitate on the question for yourself.
Yes, Grapes of Wrath, The Elements of Style, Ted Lasso! Actually, all that you wrote about. Another book that holds great meaning for me is Mountains Beyond Mountains about Dr Paul Farmer who brought real healthcare to the poor, starting in Haiti. My husband and I have had the most affecting experiences of our lives on medical mission trips to Haiti.
For me, it's pieces from my childhood and college years: The Complete Poems of Robert Frost, Erich Fromm's "Art of Loving," the works of Shakespeare, Through the Looking Glass, Le Petit Prince, sci fi of Asimov and Orwell, Yeats' "Second Coming."
To some degree the King James Bible as taught me at my grandma's knee (though I'm pretty selective in it!). (But I'd add Strunk & White and AP Style, and I understand The Underground Railroad...I grew up in the Deep South.)
I have no idea where my personal passions come from, love of wilderness and animals and preservation, for instance. Doesn't seem to come from my reading. Innate, maybe.
I do so appreciate your work in Economics for which I have no natural understanding or language. And for how you relate it to the political landscape. Thank you!
The science future of Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov and Anne McCaffrey
M*A*S*H - the 11 year series showed the humanity and horror of war
I was awakened by the tragedies of our history in the US by Colson Whitehead’s Underground Railroad - I didn’t realize the horrors until they were spread out before me by state
And recently (21st century) the Albums - Sailing to Philadelphia- Mark Knopfler and The Rising - Bruce Springsteen which both tell stories of grief and hope
Appreciate the question. And your sincere humanity and joy about life. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing your son's brilliant question and your answers! The Dalai Lama is a wonderful teacher, every book of Toni Morrison, John Green's incredible writing, and "Chain of Ideas" by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi which is excellent. Netflix has documentaries on now about Abraham Lincoln, FDR, and George Washington. James Baldwin had to move to France to tell his stories of living in the US. Reading James Baldwin has changed my consciousness just like a book is meant to do.
It's gotta be Fred Rogers for me, even after all these years. Pick almost anything from the catalog, not just the well-known stuff like Officer Clemmons. Even his speech to the U.S. Senate.
New to following you. Kudos for engaging with your son. Kindness is contagious. Thank you.
I love this post, Justin. What an insightful boy!
I think all my travels have had the biggest influence on me. Experiencing the common threads of humanity around the world as well as the differences in food, language, culture, music that add a touch of uniqueness to it all has truly removed any sense of tribalism from me.
Also, being an avid reader of black history has served to strongly reinforce that.
Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
“I wanna know if love is wild,
Babe.
I wanna know if love is real”.
My absolute fav Springsteen song!
Clint Eastwood's "Letters from Iwo Jima."
Growing up in a small town in Waukesha County, Wisconsin; like a lot of my kids, I looked up to my dad for a lot of things. He introduced me to Star Wars, Packers' football, Rush, blue collar assembly work, etc.
Unfortunately, this would also transition to the news I woud watch (Fox News), which also lead to opinions I am ashamed to have had.
Some of my high school friends were way more progressive than I was and we went to see Letters From Iwo Jima and I remember leaving the theater moved at the portrayl of Japanese soldiers.
My education of history up to that point, as I recall, was always about what happened. Not much of an insight of why things happened. Effectively, it would be ingrained in my young brain that Japan attacked Pearl Harbor because they hated us because we had freedom.
Watching the film, it hit me that I had no idea about what really goes on outside Waukesha County, Wisconsin. The main character, Saigo didn't hate, he was thrust into war and just wanted to be home. A universal feeling that transcends all cultures.
It took a couple more years in college to really get to the mindset I am now so it didn't happen the instant I walked out of the theater. It was definitely the spark and I never thought it would be a Clint Eastwood film that would ignite it.
I've not watched it. Just rented on Apple TV. Thank you.
Steinbecks East of Eden and the idea that we all have a choice
Timshel. Such a profound book.
For me, it’s For All Mankind on Apple TV. It’s a reminder that the future we all dreamt about as kids isn’t as far away as it may seem (and the only thing stopping us from achieving it is ourselves)
*I’m only on season 3 though, so no spoilers please 🤫
I love that show so much! It's the hopefulness of it. I'm a fan of the work of Kim Stanley Robinson (who wrote the Mars trilogy that, I think, For All Mankind has borrowed from a tiny bit), and he has the same take on the near future - it's going to be one hell of a mess, but we'll find a way to muddle through, by muddling through *together*.
Thanks so much for including Grapes of Wrath, I've never took the chance to read it, however I remember my parents conversation regarding it when I was younger, I believe they saw the movie? I have ordered the paperback for future reading. Also love Dylan's songs. Your son is very smart!
I already replied to you on Threads with this, so, apologies for the echo - but it's Ursula Le Guin's "A Wizard Of Earthsea." I've read it maybe a dozen times over the last 40 years, and each time its message changed for me:
- as a teen, I loved the adventure of it, the boy wizard stepping into his power, and all that stuff.
- as a 20-something, I saw how it wasn't just his story - it was his supportive network, the sacrifices of friends & family, the importance of belonging and of finding your network and becoming an active part in it, instead of being filled with "heroic" self-obsessed individualism, which is a sad and increasingly lonely way to live.
- now in my 50s, I see it's also a cautionary tale about how fickle power is, & the wisdom of having power & not using it for your own sake, & the impact of doing quiet things no bard will ever sing about.
I'm also 100% with you on "The Grapes Of Wrath". Holy hell, that opening passage about the land parching and turning to dust, the inexorable horror of it, that'll stay with me forever.
Brilliant!
Loved that book when I first read it in my teens. Confess that I have not read it since, but maybe ... I devoured the rest of Ursula LeGuin's work too in my late teens, and particularly enjoyed "The Left Hand of Darkness." Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury were two others at the time who were important influences on my world view. As with many science fiction authors of that general era, their works often reflected our society and at the same time aspired to something better.
Justin - I’m enjoying Platypus Economics! Thank you for this post. I’m seeing so many great suggestions from other readers. Here are mine:
I have Strunk & White on my list too, but it was Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird that gave me a blueprint for getting words onto a page instead of being blocked by my own perfectionism.
I have loved Gordon the Goat by Munro Leaf since second grade. I purchased it at a scholastic book fair and its message never gets old for me.
The Nothing That Is by Robert Kaplan tells the story of the number zero. I found the history of this idea fascinating.
North of North is a Canadian tv series available on Netflix. Set in Nunavut, the main character Siaja faces her life with courage, grace, and a big dose of imposter syndrome. I hope there’s a season 2 coming.
Thanks Justin. A delightful piece. Reading Peter Singer changed my views on eating animals. Reading Sam Harris changed my view on free will. Reading Paul Theroux changed my view on solo travel. About a decade ago, I switched from a diet of mostly nonfiction to mostly fiction. I now seek out books that take me to unfamiliar worlds, with narrators who aren't like me. Particular favourites in recent years include Sally Rooney's Intermezzo, Callan Wink's Bear-Tooth, Sierra Greer's Annie Bot, Bonnie Garmus's Lessons in Chemistry and Gabrielle Zevin's Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. More recommendations here: https://www.andrewleigh.com/favourite_books_of_2025 & https://www.andrewleigh.com/favourite_books_of_2024 & https://www.andrewleigh.com/favourite_books_of_2023
Ditto re Singer (or in my case, at least the kind of animals I will eat...) I also loved Lessons in Chemistry and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.
Thank you for this great question and for your honesty, Justin. Obviously there are many inputs that shape us, but I can think of two off the bat that I've experienced. When I was in high school in 1965, my best friend showed me a copy of a progressive publication called The Realist. This, along with other exposures, set me on a progressive path for life. (Even now I seem to be out of step with the majority, though, which still baffles me. Progressivism just seems so logical.) The second influence is the book/TV series Outlander, specifically the part where our 20th-century protagonist goes back to an 18th-century plantation and is horrified by the way the slaves are treated. This got me thinking about whether a single person with insight and determination could actually redo events and change the course of history, given the ability to travel in time. So I have been writing a book series based on that very question. I am now working on Book 4, but I am not going to tell you what I've concluded. I'll let you cogitate on the question for yourself.
Yes, Grapes of Wrath, The Elements of Style, Ted Lasso! Actually, all that you wrote about. Another book that holds great meaning for me is Mountains Beyond Mountains about Dr Paul Farmer who brought real healthcare to the poor, starting in Haiti. My husband and I have had the most affecting experiences of our lives on medical mission trips to Haiti.
For me, it's pieces from my childhood and college years: The Complete Poems of Robert Frost, Erich Fromm's "Art of Loving," the works of Shakespeare, Through the Looking Glass, Le Petit Prince, sci fi of Asimov and Orwell, Yeats' "Second Coming."
To some degree the King James Bible as taught me at my grandma's knee (though I'm pretty selective in it!). (But I'd add Strunk & White and AP Style, and I understand The Underground Railroad...I grew up in the Deep South.)
I have no idea where my personal passions come from, love of wilderness and animals and preservation, for instance. Doesn't seem to come from my reading. Innate, maybe.
I do so appreciate your work in Economics for which I have no natural understanding or language. And for how you relate it to the political landscape. Thank you!
Love Le Petit Prince.
The science future of Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov and Anne McCaffrey
M*A*S*H - the 11 year series showed the humanity and horror of war
I was awakened by the tragedies of our history in the US by Colson Whitehead’s Underground Railroad - I didn’t realize the horrors until they were spread out before me by state
And recently (21st century) the Albums - Sailing to Philadelphia- Mark Knopfler and The Rising - Bruce Springsteen which both tell stories of grief and hope
Appreciate the question. And your sincere humanity and joy about life. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing your son's brilliant question and your answers! The Dalai Lama is a wonderful teacher, every book of Toni Morrison, John Green's incredible writing, and "Chain of Ideas" by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi which is excellent. Netflix has documentaries on now about Abraham Lincoln, FDR, and George Washington. James Baldwin had to move to France to tell his stories of living in the US. Reading James Baldwin has changed my consciousness just like a book is meant to do.