Dear Nikola,

Thank you for your letter wih its profusion of ideas so numerous, that I cannot hope to to it justice.

For efficiency's sake, I shall tabulate what is on my mind.

a) Please, no NYT. If I had a subscription I should feel obligated to spend my time in an unwelcome manner.  I don't want to spend my days reading the NYT. I want to read other texts, I would like to expose my mind to other, more serious ideas, which seem more cogent to me.  Admittedly it's a reflection of my arrogance that many if not most of the "op-ed" contributions strike me as superficial, trivial, frivolous. I hesitate to try to contribute, because I find it an ambience in which, if my thoughts were taken seriously, they would seem seditious. 

b) I'm appreciative and grateful for your sharing with me some of the details of your financial and social circumstances.  I can't resolve the paradox that the serious reply to which I feel obligated must unavoidably seem intrusive and presumptuous.

I will venture the following thoughts:

c) During your parents' lifetimes, the issue of guardianship seems too remote and hypothetical to warrant consideration.  Potential guardianship should be considered an Estate issue which may or may not become relevant upon the death of the survivor of them.  Meanwhile there are too many unpredictable variables to permit useful consideration at this time.

d) Relationships among us, especially family relationships, although they are structures which arise spontaneously, can be cultivated and nourished. They can also be impaired, sabotaged and destroyed. My bias in favor of the family persuades me that you should consider critically examining the relationship between your brother and yourself, and look for opportunities and occasions to transform it to the mutual benefit of both of you.

e) You should practice considering the wealth that you have inherited as an obligation both to individuals potentially close to you and to yourself. If ever you become seriously ill, - which I very much hope will not be the case, - then the money which you save - or spend - this week or this month or this year, will make the difference in the freedom with which you can then lead your daily life.

EJM