20th Century Women is such a lovely little movie. Part coming of age story. Part a story about aging. Part a story about male/female relationships that explores how difficult these are to navigate, particularly given our collective idiosyncrasies and brokenness. Recommended.
Category: writing
It Sounds Convincing, But What Am I Missing?
In the digital age, all information is misinformation. No universal ever fits the particulars. Maps and simulations are conjured whole from minds. If you think you understand something, you don't.
Prediction: Post-Presidency Trump == Rush Limbaugh
Beyond his Presidency, I suspect that Donald Trump will try to plug in to right wing radio and take over for Rush Limbaugh when he dies.
Grim News: Cutting Through the COVID-19 Bullshit
Flu pandemics for the last 250 years have had two peaks. Weather does not appear to effect their severity. Original assessment of the basic reproductive number, i.e., R0, of COVID-19 was ~2.5, with the Wikipedia entry on herd immunity citing a possibility as low as 1.4. But, R0 of COVID-19 has been reassessed, and it … Continue reading Grim News: Cutting Through the COVID-19 Bullshit
Capitalism vs. Price Gouging
Open Question: When does capitalism become price gouging? Strikes me that price gouging is during acute events where people with means cannot buy what they want, i.e., the price mechanism breaks badly enough that it impacts society-at-large rather than a minority. But, so long as it's impacts a minority or is an plausibly deniable externality, … Continue reading Capitalism vs. Price Gouging
Someone Needs to Ventilate the Air From the Smell of Bullshit
"Ford Motor Co said on Monday it will produce 50,000 ventilators over the next 100 days at a plant in Michigan in cooperation with General Electric's healthcare unit, and can then build 30,000 per month as needed to treat patients afflicted with the coronavirus."—Nick Carey, "Ford, GE to produce 50,000 ventilators in 100 days." Reuters. … Continue reading Someone Needs to Ventilate the Air From the Smell of Bullshit
Scar in the Lion King
Obviously, Scar is a cartoon villain. But, riddle me this: what was his name before he got the scar that became his namesake? The read I'm getting is that Scar challenged Mufasa, and he got the scar for his pains. But, isn't it kind of a jerk move for the community to call him Scar … Continue reading Scar in the Lion King
Is Now a Good Time to Trip on Psychedelics?
Vice.com asking the important questions. My initial reaction was, "Of course not." And, "No," appears to be the ultimate conclusion of the article. But, perhaps a more interesting question than it seems at first. "It’s sometimes said that a proper trip takes three days: one to prep (especially if you follow more severe protocols around … Continue reading Is Now a Good Time to Trip on Psychedelics?
TEOTWAWKI
living in the doom, catastrophe paranoia of the psychoentirety, a trash fire, landscape lighting florescent, sick room architectures broadcasting dead news to unwitting recipients, dream/nightmare remnants, black anxiegenic chemistries awaiting, reagents and catalysts, parlor epidemiologists and physicians, a confederacy of a billion clowns, narcissists, fascists and a mule turning paranoia into public policy mystics of … Continue reading TEOTWAWKI
Quarantine Double Feature: Judy followed by Judy Garland Live at Carnegie Hall (1961)
Judy, available on Amazon Prime for $2.99, followed by Judy Garland Live at Carnegie Hall (1961). The movie is an outstanding performance by Renée Zellweger that really helps in understanding why Judy Garland was such a beloved figure. Then, listening to her Judy Garland live in one of the greatest live albums ever recorded? Well, … Continue reading Quarantine Double Feature: Judy followed by Judy Garland Live at Carnegie Hall (1961)
Don’t Panic: The Comprehensive Ars Technica Guide to the Coronavirus
"This new coronavirus—dubbed SARS-CoV-2—is unquestionably dangerous. It causes a disease called COVID-19, which can be deadly, particularly for older people and those with underlying health conditions. While the death rate among infected people is unclear, even some current low estimates are seven-fold higher than the estimate for seasonal influenza.And SARS-CoV-2 is here in the US, … Continue reading Don’t Panic: The Comprehensive Ars Technica Guide to the Coronavirus
Three Years Without Facebook, Most Social Media
Occasionally, I'll see an article where someone talks about giving up social media or a specific service - such as Facebook - for a week, a month, 99 days, a year, or even that it isn't possible for most people. The last may be true. If someone relies on weak ties to get through difficult … Continue reading Three Years Without Facebook, Most Social Media
Will You Support Mike? No thanks.
Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams
"I always want to say to people who want to be rich and famous: ‘try being rich first.’ See if that doesn’t cover most of it. There’s not much downside to being rich, other than paying taxes and having your relatives ask you for money. But when you become famous, you end up with a … Continue reading Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams
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