David's Maladjusted Multiverse is Radiant
A friend whose work will change the world. It already is.
I’ve been thinking about my friend, David C. Roberson, this morning.
I started writing a note because I saw a post on IG saying he’d shared a new episode of his podcast, which, until recently, I had not realized he’s been running for over ten years. Jesus. H. And it reminded me he’d sent me a movie trailer a few days ago that I hadn’t “gotten around to”.
I say this knowing he would not put it on me to catch everything, read everything, watch everything, but this is where I want to step in and say something important.
When someone shares a piece of themselves with you (not MLM spam, not “you gotta”, not an “if you don’t, I’ll be mad at you quietly”), you take fucking note.
And I didn’t.
I missed this. And I started writing a note about it, trying to “make up for”, but honestly, a note isn’t enough for the kind of person that David is, and the kind of friend he is.
So, here ya go, David, to your radiance— since, by George, if someone deserves to shine, it is you, sir.
I’ve mentioned a few times how we first collided on Substack. I wish to God I had the original interaction because it was so funny (in retrospect). I get that in the moment, it was “who the fuck is this person in my comments?” I know it revolved around David saying no to conspiracy theories on Substack, and me declaring we should have more. To which David vehemently disagreed. Then GIFs ensued. I was a firehose of nonsense, and David was an internet veteran, uncertain if I was being a dick. Which, fair.
Listening to his podcast this morning, I am laughing because I see why I sounded like such a troll.
But: I only troll assholes.
David is the farthest thing from an asshole.
David is one of maybe a handful of men on Substack who isn’t a pervert. lol. Funny, not funny.
That may sound baffling, but the women are nodding in acquiescence. I can feel you from here. Stop winding me, ladies.
That’s not even why David is radiant (I mean, partially it is), but it ties into the greater core of how I see him.
David writes poetry that fucking knocks me sideways, like I just got Supergirl sucker punched in the ribs and I’m one of those feeble bad guys who is actually a background actor trying their darnedest to make it as the next Brad Pitt.
I cannot articulate the power of his words’ impact on me.
Did you know he has run (at min.) TWO podcasts for over a decade?
Did you know he has so much work waiting to be shared, he’s scheduling it out as far as Substack will allow?
This is one of my favourite pieces of his; it kills me.
And he’s also an artist. A fucking REAL artist.
Beyond that, he’s got some wildly fascinating opinions on things that I have next to no experience with, and because he’s a visual storyteller and has a podcasting voice (DAVID— YA RADIANT BASTARD), it makes no sense that he isn’t being picked up by Netflix or Amazon, or some creative agency, in some capacity, to create something. Fools.
He puts the majority of podcasters to shame. And it makes sense. Entirely.
He isn’t an asshole. (My thesis.)
—phew, breathing—
It’s wrong, to me, and any of you who have had a moment to relate to the reality of being remarkably talented, of being a gentle genius, inside a world that promotes the loud, vain and vapid…
No.
Enough of that horseshit.
As David said in his podcast, “You motherfuckers have no fucking attention spans”*
David’s work isn’t fast and flashy; it’s impactful. Longevity isn’t always partnered with praise that stays present, but for those who sit down and pay attention, you’ll get to witness someone doing something remarkable.
He is someone who deserves the time and attention to flourish in his craft without distraction.
And so, that’s what I’m pledging today.
There is a shift, I can feel it. I can feel it. Can you?
The reason I’m writing this is that I don’t know how else to share who David is without ending on this note: he isn’t just a powerhouse creative, he’s a really, really good fucking person. And I’m lucky to say, he is my friend.
And if you don’t know, well, now you have no excuse.
I am grateful again to Dear Algo for bringing David’s opinions into my life for me to counter-argue with no intent but to be silly. And, if you haven’t had the opportunity to have him pop up in your feed or your comments or through someone else, here it is, ya lucky duck.
Here are some of David’s works that have shifted something in me. Go explore and find what moves you, too. And don’t forget to tell David he’s radiant, he is.
No go! Me, too.
P.S. David, see asterisk* above, I scream-laughed. Thank you for being my friend.
(**Can I please use the image you generated for this article??!??!!??!?!?! PLEASE!?!?!?)