For Dr.Jim Ferguson, rest in peace
In December, I wrapped up a 5-month project, my proudest piece of writing/research, a life thesis called Feeding Everyone. 95 pages, 200+ footnotes, 15k+ words, a dive into the history of the industrial revolution and the empirical basis for my technological optimism. This is the piece I will point to when someone asks me, what motivates you? What do you want to do with your life? What do you believe in?
Originally built for my honours seminar with Dr. Jim Ferguson, I’m now working on a draft 2.
Jim past away last month and I wish he could see draft 2 (although, draft 1 broke his computer from the length, and this one will be inevitably deeper). However, I feel profoundly grateful that this project feels like the hard-launch of my life’s mission — and he knew that.
I am working on this project in the free time I have from my job as an investment banker — so basically, I’m spending the next few months of my life perfecting many footnotes. But perhaps the most surprising part is how much I have grown to love footnotes. I derive a profound sense of craftsmanship and purpose from fine-tuning the footnotes, the heart of any works.
Footnotes drive accuracy —they cite our sources, label relevant dates or details, elaborate on nuance, comment on a methodology. They frame, justify and support the body of work. They allow me to keep the flow of writing without overwhelming with a detail or side-remark. They still tend to the details and side-remarks — but in a way that is more masterful and focused for the body of work.
Footnotes enable artistry. They preserve the integrity of the work [1] while enabling freedom in format. Each paragraph doesn’t have to achieve everything. The structure can be refined and simple. Undistracted.
The little details matter. They can be annoying — or they can become your life’s work. When you care about things so deeply — like Jim did for cistercian food ways — or I do for industrial infrastructure — it’s gratifying to explore the little things, the sources, the assumptions, the etymologies, the stores. It is not a chore, it is a duty.
[1] Because it would really suck if I just interrupted the flow of everything to point out a source or my favourite bagel shop in nyc. Those who are curious can come here. Otherwise, everyone can read on. Very build-your-own-adventure. Also, the thing I like about footnotes is that they can hold treasures. Like a reference to this tea I’m obsessed with, it has a quote attached to each bag. Always gives me something to sit and ponder. Kind of like a little footnote to my day.
Below the paywall, there’s a link to draft 1, the work Jim called decorated with “unbridled curiosity” <3
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