Slightly diminish two books: The Brothers Kardashian Work and Piece

Parasite, the 2019 Korean film, received huge acclaim among cinephiles. I finally watched it a few days ago. Because of all the enthusiastic praise, I expected to like it. I didn’t. I found it unpleasant. I don’t think I’m a total philistine, but I’m genuinely puzzled by its accolades.

Soviet joke: in rural village a teacher explains how to add fractions:"add the top parts to each other, and same for bottom parts". A comission comes from Moscow, is horrified and explains how to do it properly. The teacher tells the kids: the Party has decreed that we add fractions differently now.

Just heard this one: Two men sitting at the bar. "I'm writing a novel," says one. The other says: "And neither am I." (Attributed to Peter Cook.)

While walking along a river yesterday, we stumbled upon some fresh beaver work. Here is a nice example. #Vermont

@minczifra.bsky.social Andras, how I hope that Monday will be a happy day for you and so many of your compatriots!

A ten minute walk from my home. From Vermont looking at the sunset over Lake Champlain.

An excellent short short story by Nick Arvin! open.substack.com/pub/nickarvi...

Sad to hear that Tracy Kidder died a few days ago. His 2003 book Mountains Beyond Mountains, about the indefatigable Dr. Paul Farmer, left a very deep impression on me.

Quico Toro's optimistic fable about how, in the not-too-distant future, American democracy avoided destruction by instituting drastic changes — replacing today's electoral system with rounds of sortition and intense deliberation. open.substack.com/pub/francisc...

Flight disruptions reveal something simple: when the trip is for work, delays are par for the course; when it’s personal, they feel like theft.

@rprose.bsky.social are you still living somewhere in the Gulf area?

@adamgurri.liberalcurrents.com Adam, I enjoyed your conversation with Sean Carroll. I know there are more urgent issues to address, but I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on introducing some form of sortition into a liberal democracy--even one like the US.

Aleksei Navalny died two years ago today in a prison beyond the Arctic Circle in Siberia.

Yesterday was a beautiful day to walk on Lake Champlain. #Vermont

@roberttalisse.bsky.social Bummer! Just found out you are not hosting New Books in Philosophy anymore. That was a surprise. You were an excellent host and I learned a lot from you and your questions.

@caraocobock.bsky.social Hey Cara! My wife & I are new grandparents so, a week or so ago, we started watching Babies on Netflix. Then, while watching yesterday, a familiar face appeared. It was you! An episode about walking. I don't know you in person, but I got excited as a baby!

I love snow. Looking out from our home. #Vermont

@sambreazeale.bsky.social Kudos for excellent questions to Seva and Kennedy. Informative episode.

This!

Last night my wife and I watched "The Salt of the Earth." Wow! About the late photographer Sebastiao Salgado: his life, and his great work all over the world. Strong stuff. Powerful and sublimely beautiful. A documentary by Wim Wenders and Salgado's son.

@davidbatherwoods.bsky.social Enjoyed your Schopenhauer book! I would've preferred for it to be about a third longer to concentrate a bit more on the philosophy itself. But I enjoyed it a lot and found the LRB snide piece by Eagleton irritating. Happy about the Zaretsky review!

How many monkeys died for the polio vaccine? One million. Excellent reporting and solid analysis by Ava Kofman. It’s genuinely shocking to learn just how much contemporary scientific research depends on animal suffering on a massive scale

Earlier this morning. Hours later it's still snowing in Burlington (within the so-called Vermont's banana belt.) Two squirrels and a junco are visible. (Cardinals, goldfinches & chickadees also loving the feeders today.)

Somewhere in Burlington, Vermont.

This was excellent. No-nonsense and illuminating.

Saturday's No Kings protest in Burlington, VT, was an intergenerational affair with plenty of energy, witty signs, and great percussion.

@nickarvin.bsky.social A couple of old friends from DC stayed with us in Vermont for two nights. For some reason, the 1814 British burning of Washington came up, and I mentioned Mad Boy. Since they’re avid readers, I gave it to them as a parting gift. I’ve already ordered another to keep at home.

Back in Vermont after a week in Wisconsin with our granddaughter. Like any grandpa in love with his baby granddaughter, I want to send photos of this cheerful, curious, smiley, lovely five-month-old baby. But my daughter says no. No social media pics of her baby. So I'll spare you.

Yesterday I read Miguel de Unamuno's San Manuel Bueno, mártir. Written in 1930, the story of a priest in a village who is beloved by his parishioners for his devotion & kindness. Manuel, though, does not believe in God but carries the burden of his unbelief out of deep compassion for the villagers.

@thedissenteryt.bsky.social fwiw, heard David Pinsof on the controversies of evolutionary psychology (podcast episode) and he came across as less cynical than when you interviewed him.

@howardm.bsky.social Have you watched Government Cheese? Thought of you and wondered if it's something up your alley.

Government Cheese is a show my wife and I started watching with no expectations, but it drew us in surprising ways. It deserves a second season. Hard show to describe. Truly a unique experience. Flavor hints of Lodge 49, Wes Anderson, and the Coen brothers, but it's very much its own thing.

How about some basic rules? --All law enforcement officers should wear identification --No law enforcement officers should be allowed masks --All law enforcement officers should wear and use body cams ...oh and... --All law enforcement officers should understand, respect & follow the law

Yesterday in Burlington, Vermont.

Yesterday in Burlington, Vermont.

During yesterday's anti-Trump rally in Burlington, Vermont.

During yesterday's Anti-Trump/No Kings rally in Burlington, Vermont

Every day they somehow manage to get a little more evil.

As above, so below.

@carlschreck.bsky.social Hey Carl. I hope you are all right. With anger I read about the defunding of RFE/RL. Don't know how it affects you (when/how), but I want you to know that through the years I appreciated your work, your tweets, your sense of humor. Be well!

Things to get on, ranked: 5. Soapbox 4. Bandwagon 3. High horse 2. Your nerves 1. Gravy train

I'm a new grandpa! At 1 am my wonderful daughter, a new mom, called me and gave me the news. Then she told me my granddaughter's name: Marina. I went silent for a few seconds, trying not to choke up. Marina was my mother's name. She died less than a year ago here at home. And now we have new life!

A year ago I sent this.

This is true, but also - science or any other human activity doesn't need to be USEFUL. It's immensely valuable to understand the world around us for it's own sake. Same goes for humanities, arts, pure mathematics. Without this the world is just an empty vessel for maximizing shareholder value.

Trump is a vile man. What's shocking is how many people actually admire him as a heroic figure, and how many who know better are willing to kiss his ring.

This is a great follow. Ricardo and his countless episodes are a treasure.

Vermont