11 Comments
Oct 8Liked by Josh Brake

You have created a wonderful checklist for redemptive quests, to inspire all of us to continue quests in the face of self doubt. Thank you.

As a practicing Hindu, your words speak to me. In the Bagavad Gita, chapter 2, verse 47 there is a beautiful line which resonated with the ideas you outlined above:

BG 2.47: You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.

Keep writing and keep inspiring your students Dr. Brake. God bless you 🙏

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Thank you, Mahesh for the kind and thoughtful words. I’m glad you enjoyed the post!

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Oct 8Liked by Josh Brake

Great to read. I am a LeTourneau grad also (BA’89). Thanks for a very reflective post. I have fond memories of my time there. Blessings on you and your family.

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Thanks Mark, I appreciate it. Always great to hear from other LETU alums!

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This is hands down the best article I have read in a long time (and trust me I read a lot!)

Now going to head down a rabbit hole to find out more about R.G. LeTourneu, whom- in my

ignorance- I had never heard of until today. (Sigh)

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insights.

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Thank you, Heléna!

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As someone who knows you only through writing, it was nice to hear and see you talk. You made use of some great images too, something. Really enjoyed this post.

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Thanks, Rob. Glad you enjoyed it! Looking forward to the day when we connect in the real world.

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Indeed! And the opportunity may come sooner that we think. Check LinkedIn tomorrow morning for some Rob news.

Ah, heck. I'll break it on Substack right here in your comments.

I'm leaving my full-time job as a bureaucrat at Penn to write full-time while continuing to teach part-time. I'm hoping the next phase of generative AI chatter turns to the social and historical contexts of AI. If that happens, maybe I can parlay my writing into travel and the chance to connect in person with writers I admire and my readers.

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🎉 Wow, big news! Thanks for sharing and exciting to hear about your new venture. Glad to hear that you'll be pouring more time and energy into this work!

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As the parent of a LetU grad, I was very eager to learn more about R.G. I found his biography so inspiring. Thank you for sharing this.

On another personal note, my mother (now 77) grew up hearing all about the LeTourneaus. My grandfather worked with heavy equipment as the county roads guy and they subscribed to his magazine. My grandmother's recipe box has cut-out recipes from Mrs. LeTourneau who shared them in the magazine.

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