Life on the Wicked Stage: Act 3
Musings on life, the theatre, technology, culture and the occasional emu sighting
Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate. May you find joy, comfort, laughter and love in the company of family and friends today. If you don’t I hope you find something that floats your boat.
And when the eating and drinking are done, may you find a moment’s peace napping on the couch. (Pictured: My sisters and brothers-in-law getting ready for the traditional post holiday meal nap.)
Chili was on the menu last night and it’s a chlly Autumn Sunday morning. So it’s time to share some Sunday Morning Reading featuring a little poetry, some politics, some not so intelligent moves in the Artificial Intelligence world (is it a world?) and just some damn good writing worth your time.
Let’s start with the poetry. One of my favorite new writing discoveries is NatashaMH on Medium. She popped out a piece of poetry, Pereginations, the other day on Ellemeno and this morning she’s got a terrific piece called The Day I Learned Poetry. Good stuff. Good times. Good fun. Nothing artifcial about the intelligence happening there.
Speaking of AI, it was and still is quite a weekend on that front. OpenAI’s board surprisingly fired poster boy CEO Sam Altman, now he may come back after lots of hueing and crying. Or he may not. Who knows. Om Malik has a great piece called Foundational Risks of OpenAI looking at the story but rightly hitting the bullseye that this is more than about corporate chaos and investment returns. I’m not sure AI, or its champions, is built for looking back with a long view.
Our politics here in the U.S is still a mess with no foreseable correction in the cards. Dan Balz, Clara Ence Morse and Nick Mourtoupalas take a look at some of the foundational biases in the U.S. Senate that, in my belief, need to change before any next card can be revealed. Check out The Hidden Biases at Play in the U.S. Senate.
Sometimes an outside view is needed for perspective. In this case not so much. Even so, The Economist weighing in with Donald Trump Poses The Biggest Danger to the World in 2024 offers good context in its global round up.
Like it or not, much of our life on the Internet is changing. Social Media is a crazy free-for-all and so is the world of entertainment. In How Social Media Is Turning Into Old-Fashioned Broadcast Media, Christopher Mims takes a look at the stew that’s stewing.
And where would we be without critics? Probably better off, but that’s not necessarily the point of Siskel, Ebert, and the Secret of Criticism by Richard Brody. Here’s a quote:
Criticism is a fraught profession because it’s parasitical. It depends on the work of artists, without which criticism couldn’t exist. A critic who acknowledges and accepts the fact of this dependence is trying to salvage the dignity of the activity; critics who don’t are just trying to salvage their own dignity.
David Todd McCarty is starting a daily column entitled A Bit Dodgy. I recommend subscribing, following, but most of all reading. I’m sure it will be quite a ride.
And in case you’re wondering, worried, or concerned about all of the insanity happening in the world that makes it feel like we’re approaching the End Times, Jeannie Ortega Law tells us that Left Behind author, Jerry Jenkins thinks that all of those End Times prophecies have been fulfilled. So check that off your list.
If you’re interested in just what the heck Sunday Morning Reading is all about you can read more about the origins of Sunday Morning Reading here.
It’s an Autumn Sunday morning. That means there’s Sunday Morning Reading to share. There’s a real mix this week from con artists to cruelty, from the political and the cultural to famous fart jokesters and a bit of tech thrown in for good measure.
Con (I hesitate to call them) Artists are thriving in all forms of human endeavors these days. As blatant as some are, you never know who’s conning who. Pick your field and you’ll find them picking your pocket and often celebrated for it. Sean Williams takes a look at the True Story of Maverick Miles Nehemiah and The CONfidence Chroncies. Great story.
What is it about evil? Natasha MH cuts through some of the wonder in The Cost of Knowing and Our Thirst for Cruelty. “We are who we are. The question is can we live with the truth of who we are, and with the things we’ve done?”
Did you know that there was a new anarchy? Adrienne La France takes a look in The New Anarchy, arguing that here in this country we don’t know how to stop extermist violence. I’d say she’s spot on.
It’s the end of an era. Jezebel, long a source for great coverage of women’s issues is shutting down. Erin Gloria Ryan takes a good look back in Jezebel Is Dead. Long Live Jezebel.
In How the World’s Most Famous Book Was Made Tanya Kirk lays out a history of how Shakespeare’s First Folio was created and published.
Back to the con game that is life these days, Mike Lofgren takes a look at how Right-Wing Fake History is Making a Big Comeback—But It Never Went Away.
Did you know that an egg laying mammal that shared the planet with the dinosaurs still exists? They’ve been called ‘living fossils’ and are extremely rare. Jordan King takes a look in Echidna: Egg-Laying Mammal ‘Who Roamed the Earth With Dinosaurs’ is Rediscovered.
Technology drives so much of our lives. Always has. Always will. Joan Westenberg argues that 20 Years of Tech Has Made Life Easier, Not Better. I happen to agree with her.
On the other hand (or lapel) is the newly announced AI Pin. I’m not sold on the concept but find the technology cool, even if the announcement left me a bit cold. Om Malik is excited about it and lays out his thoughts in The Real Personal (AI) Personal Computer and also interviews one of the founders, Imran Chaudhri. This will be worth paying attention to as AI becomes more and more a part of our lives. I’m just not sure this product is the fulcrum.
And to round out this week, how about a look at 9 Outlandish Stories Of Court Jesters Throughout History, From the Medieval Flatulist to Lord Minimus from Austin Harvey. Thought you could use a laugh.
If you’re interested in just what the heck Sunday Morning Reading is all about you can read more about the origins of Sunday Morning Reading here.
The Democrats have a chance to strip the pants off Jim Jordan while the GOP continues to operate with their heads stuck up their nether regions. Insane speculation? You bet. But then everything we know about US politics in this moment is insane, so why the hell not?
This speculation makes several assumptions:
1. Not much legislation is going to happen in the US House until after the next election in 2024 regardless of who is Speaker.
2. Some Republican puts forward a name other than Jim Jordan. This would have to happen on the floor of the House while in session.
3. There’s no way there’s going to be any sort of negotiated compromise candidate between the parties at this point. There will at some point be a GOP Speaker of the House. The wish-casting for a Dem speaker is just nonsense.
So, here’s how it works. A GOP member puts forward a name trying to keep Jordan from getting the requisite number of votes. Assuming the name is one that is somewhat palatable, say the current Speaker pro-tem, the Dems then vote in unison for that member. If the Dems throw 212 votes at another candidate who might garner 5 votes or more from the GOP side, Jordan is out of the game.
Could it work? I doubt it. But the math is there. The moment could be there. I doubt the courage is there on either side of the aisle. Given that I think chaos is going to reign until after the 2024 election regardless of who has the Speaker’s gavel, there’s nothing really to lose. We’ve already lost any simidgen of integrity Congress might have had. But there is a chance to punt Jim Jordan out of the picture.
Time for another edition of Sunday Morning Reading. Today’s collection is a scattered selection of topics some of which might feel a bit dark. But it is a dark time scattering many of us into our corners or maybe to have an extra drink or two.
For reasons, other than stupidity, we’re steal dealing with forces that want to ban books in America. This sadly isn’t a new thing, and Chris Klimek gives us A Brief History of Banned Books in America in this podcast transcript from the Smithsonian magazine podcast “There’s More To That.”
What’s happening and about to happen in the Middle East has the world on edge. Technology brings these moments to us in moments. Joanna Stern in the Wall St. Journal gives us a look in When Our Smartphones Became Windows to a War.
Continuing with that news of the moment Anne Applebaum in the Atlantic gives us There Are No Rules. As she describes it, our norms and values define how the world ought to work. We continually learn that’s not the reality.
Here’s a pallet cleanser with the first of a couple of tech topics. Jared Newman in Fast Company takes a look at the note-taking app Obsidian in The Cult of Obsidian: Why People Are Obssesed With The Note-Taking App.
If you’ve paid attention to my tech writings here you’ll know I’m having some challenges with Apple’s iCloud failings and flailings. I’m not the only one and my challenge isn’t the only iCloud issue. In TidBits Glenn Fleishman describes his in Cloudy With A Chance of Insanity: Unsticking iCloud Drive.
And back on the politics and follies of mankind beat, this piece by Michael Tomasky, I Never Thought I’d Live to See Democracy Die. But Now I Wonder is worth a look. He’s not alone in his wondering if Democracy is just a phase.
And after all of that, if you think you might need a drink, here’s a look at The Bad Law That Made Good Bars, from Peter Suderman on The Raines Law. Never heard of it? Pour yourself a beverage of choice and take a read.
If you’re interested in just what the heck Sunday Morning Reading is all about you can read more about the origins of Sunday Morning Reading here.
Unimaginable? I keep hearing and reading how unimaginable the horrors that Hamas visited on Israel are. They are horrors. Brutal. Disgusting. They are not unimaginable. They are very imaginable. They are far too easily imaginable. We just don’t want those thoughts in our imaginations, in our nations, or anywhere in our consciousness. But they are far too imaginable.
Humans are capable of all sorts of things we want to banish from our imaginations and thus make them unimaginable. But in reality that’s a fool’s errand and only leads us deeper into shock and grief when the “unimaginable” happens. If we stop imagining away the reality that horrible, brutal, hateful people will do harm to others and instead will see some sort of light we’d be better off in my opinion. Otherwise it’s willful or wishful blindness that allows ignorance to grow. And those who visit the “unimaginable” on the world love to prey on the ignorant.
There’s an interesting cultural disconnect in our imaginations, especially at this time of the year when horror films dominate popular culture featuring horrendous humans doing horrendous things to other humans. Most see both the real world horrors and the Hollywood horrors through the same screens. Is there really a difference? Obviously there’s an appetite for that kind of “unimaginable” entertainment. And yet, we claim to be surprised and shocked when it happens in the real world. Imagine that.
We are not going to imagine hate away. We are not going to imagine violence away. We are not going to imagine ourselves into a safer world. We can work for one. And yes, that requires some imagination. But the world is what the world is and humans do to humans what humans are capable of doing. Especially when there’s profit in it.
Yes, I’d like a calmer, saner, more peaceful world where we can all live together with respect, kindness, and love. If there’s something that’s unimaginable to me, it’s that place.
It’s Sunday and that means Sunday Morning Reading to share. This week was new iPhone week so I’m sharing some great coverage of the new iPhones and the operating system that runs them, as well as macOS Sonoma. In addition, excellent writing on lying and other topics will lead the list.
First up is the always excellent Natasha MH with Our Panche for Lies, Art and Storytelling. Using comedian and storyteller Hasan Minhaj as her point of entry she wonders why we get so upset when comedians do the same thing those less funny do: Lie.
Speaking of lying, Jeff Kosseff has a neat piece on Why The First Amendment Protects Liars.
I’m not a fan of giving up meat. This dog is too old to learn any new tricks. But Matthew Clapham does have a good piece of writing about just that in Rewording the Golden Rule to Cause No Suffering.
Kenneth L. Warner uses the occasion of Diane Feinstin’s passing to talk about age requirements for holdiing office in “When I Leave Elected Office, I’m Going Feet First.”
Much of the US political focus is on the gamesmanship over keeping the government open and some washed up TV reality star that got lucky and appointed too many Supreme Court Justices. Well, that Supreme Court is going to take up a few cases that might, or might not, have profound implications for the Internet. Take a look at Caroline Mimbs Nyce’s piece The Supreme Court Cases That Could Redfine The Internet to see why.
And as for those writers about Apple things I’ll lead that off with the always excellent Federico Vitcci and his review of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 on MacStories. I highly advise keeping this one in your bookmarks or read later app of choice to refer back to now and again.
His partner in crime, John Vorhees, does a great job of tackling macOS Sonoma. Again, hang on to this one as a reference.
And for a companion to Vorhees’ post check out Andrew Cunningham’s macOS review on Ars Technica.
Samuel Axon in Ars Technica says we may have reached the “final form” with the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro. I think he’s correct.
Matthew Panzarino always gives us a good look into the cameras on new iPhones and this year’s trip to Disneyland is no different.
Last up is John Gruber’s iPhone 15 Pro review. John’s writing on all things Apple is always worth your time.
Ok, I lied. If you’d like to check out my thoughts on the iPhone 15 Pro and the Apple Watch Series 9, you can do so here.
If you’re interested in just what the heck Sunday Morning Reading is all about you can read more about the origins of Sunday Morning Reading here.
As summer transitons into Fall we’re back at lovely Lake LuLu for the last weekend of the season. So lake time takes precedence over reading. But with cooler climes ahead that will change, much like the seasons. Nevertheless here’s a few Sunday Morning Reading topics to share. Enjoy.
The world of politics seems crazier and crazier by the moment. Much of the current focus in on, well you know what and who it is on. There’s also focus on the Supreme Court for the cauldron of corruption that place is, leading us to often overlook some of the cases. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau v Community Financial Services Association is one we should keep an eye on. Essentially, if the plantiff prevails much of the Federal Government would be declared unconstitutional. Ian Millhiser has a good luck at the case in A New Supreme Court Case Could Trigger A Second Great Depression. On the one hand it seems seems silly, but on the other quite dangerous, given the climate we’re in.
Is the American Dream still a dream or a nightmare. Belen Fernandez tackles that in On the Road Towards the American Nightmare. Excellent piece.
The Man Who Trapped Us in Databases by McKenize Funk tells us a bit about Hank Asher, the ‘King of Databrokers.’ He’s had and his legacy continues to have more influence on our lives than most of us realize. Did you know you have a Shadow SSN?
David Todd McCarthy takes on the legacy of Jimmy Buffet and the culture he created and the business he crafted from it in The Lost Shaker of Salt Has a Dark Side.
Is there such a thing as children having a Nature Deficit Disorder? Chris Thompson tackles that while Sliding Down Hills on Cardboard.
Ron Grossman digs into the Chicago Tribune archives and pulls out fascinating stuff in this piece about Black and Tan nightclubs in Chicago. Check out In Segregated Chicago, Black and Tans Provided Lively NIghtlife in the Early 20th Century.
And lastly, this Atlantic piece, The Patriot, by Jeffrery Goldberg on retiring Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley is worth a read.
If you’re interested in just what the heck Sunday Morning Reading is all about you can read more about the origins of Sunday Morning Reading here.
It’s Sunday morning. So here’s some Sunday Morning Reading to share. There’s no theme. Just a collection of topics and writers that caught my eye and tugged a bit on the heartstrings.
Chris Welch on The Verge lets us know that Samsung and NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art are collaborating and expanding the collection of art that is available to view in your home on Samsung’s Frame TVs. I didn’t know this was a thing. I’m sure some art lovers are glad it is. Would be nice to see this picked up by other museums and Smart TV makers. Check out Samsung Is Bringing Artwork From The Met Museum To Its Frame TVs.
On the politics beat, Susan Glaser pens The Rage of The Toddler Caucus On Capitol Hill. If they title doesn’t tell you what it’s about, you’re not paying attention.
When and why does time matter? Check out Philip Ogley’s The Clock Watcher. Make the time.
What happens if turbulence in the brain’s waves can carve indentations and pathways over time in the same way that water does in stone? Check out Newly Discovered Spirals of Brain Activity May Help Explain Cognition by Shelly Fan.
David Todd McCarty penned an excellent and very personal piece this week about his family coping with drug addiction and its aftermath entitled Bear With Me, I Want To Tell You Something. Beautiful stuff. Tough. Coconuts and plungers.
These are tough times to wade through. Ana Marie Cox says We Are Not Just Polarized. We Are Traumatized. I think she’s correct. And remember, cynicism is a trauma response.
A devilishly good piece by Natasha MH, In Bed With the Devil.
Mark Jacob in Courier Newsroom let’s us in on The Republican Trick To Spin Straw Into Gold. There are no surprises. But we all need to recognize it when it’s happening.
Changing the channel, M.G. Siegler takes a look at the end of the Cable TV bundle in Cable Bites the Dust, and predicts that we’re going to be bundling again as we continue down the path into streaming entertainment consolidation.
And as we head into a week when new iPhones are arriving around the world, finally equipped for USB-C charging, Jay Peters on The Verge writes an almost mournful obituary for the Lightning Connector in Lightning was Great Actually.
If you’re interested in just what the heck Sunday Morning Reading is all about you can read more about the origins of Sunday Morning Reading here.
Celebrating the grandson’s second birthday this weekend but there’s still a bit of Sunday Morning Reading to share. As usual it’s a myriad collection of writing on different topics featuring some history, some politics, some Shakespeare, and some writers with some personal things to share.
First up are a couple of interesting pieces about Shakespeare. In August Drew Lichtenberg wrote a provoking piece in the New York Times about the latest attempts to cancel Shakespeare in the wake of all of the current nonsense going on in educational and political circles. The title, Cancel Shakespeare, might turn you off. Don’t let it. It’s worth a read for the turn.
In a follow up to that piece, Shakespeare’s ‘Sublimely, Disturbingly Smutty Effect’ Must Endure, Lichtenbeg lists some Shakespearean passages that readers say “got their blood flowing.”
And while I’m sharing pieces on how politicians think banning and banishing books, topics and history can change the future, this Politico piece by James Traub, Virginia Went to War Over History. And Students Actually Came Out on Top is worth considering. This in depth piece is worth hanging on to if we ever come to our senses and someone chronicles this period of insanity for future generations.
And speaking of history, you might not (or might) be sipping some whiskey with your Sunday Morning Reading, but this piece from Jason Willick on What a 1790’s Rebellion Shows About the Campaign to Disqualify Trump takes us back to the Whisky Rebellion. It’s worth considering in light of all the talk about the 14th Amendment disqualifying Trump from holding office again. FWIW I wrote a little something about that here.
And one thing follows another. Nate White, a British writer, delivers a terrific takedown of the orange guy in British Writer Pens The Best Description of Trump I’ve Read.
Jay Rosen is always worth following if you’re interested in what’s going on in journalism. This sketch of a lecture he was going to give in 2013 resurfaced in my feeds and I thought “Old Testatment and New Testatment Journalism” was worth sharing.
And on a somewhat personal note, I’ve contributed a few pieces to a Medium publiciation Ellemeno, thanks to the prodding of David Todd McCarty. The publication hosts some excellent writers with fantastic writing from a personal perspective.
I recommend two such pieces here if you want to get a taste. First up is McCarty’s All On My Own. As he describes it: “The art of being alone without being lonely, or one man’s semi-solitary adventure through time and space.”
Next up is Natasha MH with Why Are You Obssesed With Me? I’m thinking it has something to do with her writing.
If you’re interested in just what the heck Sunday Morning Reading is all about you can read more about the origins of Sunday Morning Reading here.
Life on the Wicked Stage: Act 3 