https://stephenjones.blog/
@stevejonesblog.bsky.social
📤 88
📥 41
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Daoism—lives—language—performance. And jokes
pinned post!
Roundup for 2024: China, world music, modern Europe, West/Central Asia, jazz, Western Art Music, language and drôlerie, film, fiction, sport...
stephenjones.blog/2024/12/31/r...
11 months ago
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The Li family Daoists: a misleading official name, and the Heritage shtick
stephenjones.blog/rectifying-n...
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Rectifying names
On the state system’s distorted official packaging of local ritual traditions,and its misguided yet largely futile attempts to promote them. In Yanggao, as across a wide band of northwest Chi…
https://stephenjones.blog/rectifying-names/
1 day ago
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Household Daoist ritual groups of Hunyuan county, Shanxi
stephenjones.blog/hunyuan-daoi...
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Daoists of Hunyuan, Shanxi
The connection of the Yanggao Daoists with the temple Daoism of Hengshan may be spurious, but household Daoists in Hunyuan county-town at the foot of the mountain have their own traditions. Our vis…
https://stephenjones.blog/hunyuan-daoists/
3 days ago
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From my series of fieldnotes from the 1990s: village ritual associations of Xiongxian, Hebei
stephenjones.blog/xiongxian-ri...
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Ritual groups of Xiongxian, Hebei
Through the 1990s, one of the most fruitful sites for our fieldwork project on the Hebei plain south of Beijing was the area around Xiongxian county, just south of Bazhou, and east of the regional …
https://stephenjones.blog/xiongxian-ritual/
6 days ago
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reposted by
https://stephenjones.blog/
Alison Killing
10 days ago
Absolutely shocking that the Chinese govt pressured a UK university to shut down research about forced labour in Xinjiang and the links to global supply chains. The work of Laura Murphy and her team had been instrumental in getting Chinese companies sanctioned.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
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UK university halted human rights research after pressure from China
Exclusive: Leading professor at Sheffield Hallam was told to cease research on supply chains and forced labour in China after demands from authorities
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/nov/03/uk-university-halted-human-rights-research-after-pressure-from-china
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Today: annual köçek dancing with drum and shawm in Istanbul!
stephenjones.blog/2021/11/09/k...
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Köçek in Kuzguncuk!
A fanfare in advance of the anniversary of Atatürk’s death on 10th November Just back home after an ecstatic week in Istanbul—first time I’ve needed my passport since visiting Li Manshan in 2…
https://stephenjones.blog/2021/11/09/kuzguncuk-kocek/
16 days ago
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The qin zither under Maoism: five vignettes
stephenjones.blog/2021/12/21/q...
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The qin zither under Maoism: five vignettes
This is how I opened my series on the qin zither scene in Beijing under Maoism: I’m still seeking in vain to atone for my reservations about the dominance of the elite qin zither in Chinese music s…
https://stephenjones.blog/2021/12/21/qin-zither-maoism/
19 days ago
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Three baldies and a mouth-organ: roundup of posts on the ritual/music of Beijing temples and village associations
stephenjones.blog/2018/04/25/b...
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Three baldies and a mouth-organ
*UPDATED with links to posts on the Zhihua temple and related topics!* Early in 1986, only a couple of days after my first arrival in Beijing, hearing the former monks of the Zhihua temple 智化寺 on a…
https://stephenjones.blog/2018/04/25/baldies-mouth-organ/
21 days ago
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Collected posts on folk cultures of Europe
stephenjones.blog/2024/07/14/f...
complementing regional surveys on east Europe, Italy, Portugal, flamenco, Irish folk, and so on
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Folk cultures of Europe
A major theme of this site is the rich variety of regional folk expressive cultures, in China and around the world. Quite by chance, the compelling drama of Euro 24 has provided me with a wacky per…
https://stephenjones.blog/2024/07/14/folk-cultures-of-europe/
28 days ago
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A fabulously eclectic playlist of songs
stephenjones.blog/2018/09/02/w...
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A playlist of songs
Apart from the mainly-Chinese playlist in the sidebar (commentary here), below are some links to an eclectic selection of All-time Great Songs* on this blog. Besides the songs, the posts are worth …
https://stephenjones.blog/2018/09/02/world-songs/
about 1 month ago
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Part of my Mahler series!
stephenjones.blog/2022/09/06/m...
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 month ago
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My current earworm: the 2nd movement of Mahler 5
stephenjones.blog/2019/12/04/m...
about 1 month ago
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An online archive of Armenian culture on the eve of the 1915 genocide
stephenjones.blog/2025/10/02/a...
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An Armenian archive
A recent talk at the Orient-Institut in Istanbul, when Ara Dinkjian (son of the great Onnik) and Vahé Tachjian introduced early recordings of Armenian classics, led me to the impressive website Hou…
https://stephenjones.blog/2025/10/02/armenian-archive/
about 1 month ago
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Serendipitous courtesy
stephenjones.blog/2025/09/29/s...
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Serendipitous courtesy
In our modern world, the flight booking reference consists of a seemingly random combo of six letters and numbers, so on booking my recent flights for Istanbul I was impressed to find the last thre…
https://stephenjones.blog/2025/09/29/serendipitous-courtesy/
about 1 month ago
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As well as this sketch of Shan Fuyi, another main source for our material on the early and modern history of Gaoluo
stephenjones.blog/2019/09/25/v...
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
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A village elder, before and after Liberation
stephenjones.blog/2019/07/11/v...
Part of my series on the modern history of Gaoluo
about 2 months ago
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A new collection of essays on rebetika
stephenjones.blog/2025/09/21/n...
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A new rebetika volume
After my dabblings with Songs of Asia Minor, Road to rebetika, and Folk traditions of Greece, I’m browsing the new volume The SOAS rebetiko reader: a selection of papers associated with the H…
https://stephenjones.blog/2025/09/21/new-rebetika-vol/
about 2 months ago
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In memory of the great ethnomusicologist David Hughes
stephenjones.blog/2025/09/16/i...
about 2 months ago
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Recopying the Li family Daoist ritual manuals
stephenjones.blog/2018/12/31/r...
add a skeleton here at some point
2 months ago
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Li Qing’s Daoist uncle Li Peisen had already anticipated the ravages of Maoist campaigns by moving to the safety of his wife’s natal village, preserving the family ritual manuals—as explained in this post on Women of Yanggao
stephenjones.blog/2017/06/13/w..
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add a skeleton here at some point
2 months ago
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Nuances of Maoist society: the great Daoist Li Qing takes refuge from the famine by joining a state Arts Work Troupe
stephenjones.blog/2019/01/19/d...
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A Daoist serves a state troupe
My post on the folk–conservatoire gulf reminds me of the brief sojourn of the great household Daoist Li Qing in the grimy coal city of Datong as a state-employed musician. Indeed throughout China, …
https://stephenjones.blog/2019/01/19/daoist-in-state-troupe/
2 months ago
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Since my film on the 1995 New Year's rituals in Gaoluo won awards at the Chinese Musics Ethnographic Film Festival in Shanghai, I reflect further on the gulf between ethnography and reified glamorisation, and issues in discussing politics
stephenjones.blog/2025/09/11/g..
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Prizes for Gaoluo film!
I’m most gratified that my film Seated at the altar, on the 1995 New Year’s rituals in Gaoluo village, was awarded two prizes at the Chinese Musics Ethnographic Film Festival (CMEFF) In…
https://stephenjones.blog/2025/09/11/g..
2 months ago
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An upcoming international conference at Oxford in honour of Craig Clunas brings together leading scholars in the field of Ming studies and art history
stephenjones.blog/2025/09/07/e...
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Echoes of Great Brightness
An international conference in honour of Craig Clunas will be held on 16–17 September at Lincoln College, Oxford, bringing together leading scholars in the field of Ming studies and art history. Fr…
https://stephenjones.blog/2025/09/07/echoes-of-great-brightness/
2 months ago
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reposted by
https://stephenjones.blog/
2) for Gaoluo village, subject of my most detailed historical ethnography:
stephenjones.blog/2025/04/30/d...
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Donors’ lists 2: Gaoluo
Towards a dynamic approach to material artefacts in diachronic social context Further to my previous post giving background on material support for amateur ritual associations on the Hebei plain, I…
https://stephenjones.blog/2025/04/30/donors-lists-2/
7 months ago
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reposted by
https://stephenjones.blog/
Thor Benson
2 months ago
It's often been debated if Trump could pull off a fascist takeover of the United States, because he's clearly not very smart. I talked to
@anneapplebaum.bsky.social
about that for my newsletter
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Fascism and stupidity are not mutually exclusive
People have often said Trump is too stupid to lead an effective fascist takeover of the United States. Not so fast.
https://madness.ghost.io/fascism-stupidity-not-mutually-exclusive/
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Djokovic's celebration reminds me to document some of the diverse ways of playing the violin
stephenjones.blog/2024/08/31/w...
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Ways of playing the violin
A companion to Indian and world fiddles. Image: Paul Childs/Reuters. Source. This summer, after yet another victory, Novak Djokovic paid homage to his daughter’s early steps learning the viol…
https://stephenjones.blog/2024/08/31/ways-of-playing-violin/
2 months ago
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reposted by
https://stephenjones.blog/
Survey of village ritual associations on the Hebei plain
stephenjones.blog/sects-hebei/
add a skeleton here at some point
6 months ago
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Collected posts on Mahler, soundtrack to all the anguish and elation of the 20th century: symphonies, chamber arrangements, piano rolls, Alma and Anna...
stephenjones.blog/2022/09/06/m...
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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Mahler at this year's Proms!
stephenjones.blog/2025/08/26/m...
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Mahler at this year’s Proms!
By way of reminding you of my series on the great Gustav Mahler, some brief comments on the three symphonies of his performed at this year’s Proms, while I consult Norman Lebrecht’s han…
https://stephenjones.blog/2025/08/26/mahler-2025-proms/
3 months ago
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reposted by
https://stephenjones.blog/
A noir plot suggested by a Japanese phrasebook!
stephenjones.blog/2017/01/21/j...
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That is the snake that bit my foot
If you’re thinking of dabbling with Japanese, then as a more practical guide than the sketch “How to learn Japanese in three easy lessons” (freezing cold, constipated, and absent-minded—available o…
https://stephenjones.blog/2017/01/21/japanese/
5 months ago
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*Don’t miss* the late lamented Nicolas Robertson's astounding series of anagram tales, based on composers’ names, Mozart operas, and so on!!! My index can only hint at the riches contained within them…
stephenjones.blog/2021/08/30/a...
3 months ago
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Ravel and Stravinsky at the Proms, with copious links—and a party game...
stephenjones.blog/2025/08/16/p...
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Proms: Ravel and Stravinsky
Ida Rubenstein leading the original 1928 production of Boléro. Source. Ravel’s Boléro and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring have become concert “classics”, but they are challe…
https://stephenjones.blog/2025/08/16/proms-ravel-stravinsky/
3 months ago
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www.theguardian.com/music/2025/j...
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David Watkin obituary
Cellist who co-founded the Eroica Quartet and won awards for his recording of Bach’s six solo Suites
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jun/19/david-watkin-obituary
3 months ago
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The catchy Taco taco no fubá, including versions by Orquestra Colbaz (1931, Ethel Smith, Carmen Miranda, the Andrews Sisters, and the Bahia Youth Orchestra!!!
stephenjones.blog/2025/08/01/t...
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Tico tico
Earworms can be most insistent. For some reason my current one is Tico tico no fubá, composed in 1917 by Zequinha de Abreu. I first got to know it via the Nimbus CD Choros from Brazil by Os Ingênuo…
https://stephenjones.blog/2025/08/01/tico-tico/
3 months ago
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Articles on ritual under Communist regimes—Peruvian Andes, Cuba, Vietnam, China, Hungary
stephenjones.blog/2025/07/27/r...
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Red ritual
Before my diachronic ethnography of Gaoluo village was published, I surveyed the modern fortunes of amateur village ritual associations on the Hebei plain south of Beijing in “Ritual music un…
https://stephenjones.blog/2025/07/27/red-ritual/
4 months ago
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reposted by
https://stephenjones.blog/
*MUST-WATCH* film on the 1995 New Year's rituals in Gaoluo village south of Beijing!!!
stephenjones.blog/2024/11/19/g...
1995年南高洛村音樂會正月儀式 Do share!
10 months ago
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RIP Cleo Laine
stephenjones.blog/2017/04/19/y...
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You must believe in spring
After blithely adducing French film music for Bach’s Zerfließe, I’m reminded of You must believe in spring—for those tricky moments when you seek inspiration and the Resurrection of Our Lord …
https://stephenjones.blog/2017/04/19/you-must-believe-in-spring/
4 months ago
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reposted by
https://stephenjones.blog/
China Books Review
4 months ago
The Dalai Lama, who just turned 90, writes in his memoir that he will reincarnate in the “free world.” But will his political, religious and moral power transfer with him? Read
@tshakya.bsky.social
review of "Voice for the Voiceless" by the Dalai Lama:
chinabooksreview.com/2025/07/24/d...
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Who Will Be the Next Dalai Lama? | China Books Review
The Dalai Lama, who just turned 90, writes in his memoir that he will reincarnate in the “free world.” But will his political, religious and moral power transfer with him?
https://chinabooksreview.com/2025/07/24/dalai-lama/
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reposted by
https://stephenjones.blog/
Reminder of the Chinese-subtitled version of my film on the 1995 New Year's rituals in Gaoluo village!
add a skeleton here at some point
5 months ago
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Stimulating perspectives on the lives of musical instruments in society
stephenjones.blog/2025/07/12/i...
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Instrumental lives
I’ve been admiring Instrumental lives: musical instruments, material culture, and social networks in East and Southeast Asia (2024), edited by Helen Rees, professor of ethnomusicology at UCLA, who,…
https://stephenjones.blog/2025/07/12/instrumental-lives/
4 months ago
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stephenjones.blog/2022/09/08/o...
add a skeleton here at some point
4 months ago
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Iga’s first Wimbledon final makes a pretext to remind you of this post on wacky diacritics and nasal vowels: Polish ogonek and Portuguese til—with matching anagram and limerick!
stephenjones.blog/2022/09/08/o...
4 months ago
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reposted by
https://stephenjones.blog/
Joseph Torigian
4 months ago
Thanks
@robbiebarnett.bsky.social
for referring to work by
@bennoweiner.bsky.social
and me for this ChinaFile discussion on the Dalai Lama’s succession
www.chinafile.com/conversation...
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Beethoven's Wimbledon adventure, apud Monty Python
stephenjones.blog/2017/01/21/j...
add a skeleton here at some point
4 months ago
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A remarkable world music playlist celebrating Emma Raducanu's 2021 US Open victory!
stephenjones.blog/2021/09/12/e...
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A playlist for Emma and Leylah
Photo: Timothy A. Clary/AFP. The fairy-tale dénouement of the US Open women’s singles was an even more intense and moving contest than anyone dared imagine. Just exhilarated by this rare mome…
https://stephenjones.blog/2021/09/12/emma-leylah-playlist/
4 months ago
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reposted by
https://stephenjones.blog/
The Guardian
4 months ago
Dalai Lama says there will be search for his successor after his death, ending years of speculation
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Dalai Lama says there will be search for his successor after his death, ending years of speculation
Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader releases video statement in run-up to 90th birthday celebrations The Dalai Lama has said the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist institution will continue after his death, ending years of speculation that started when he indicated that he might be the last person to hold the role. Speaking at prayer celebrations ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday, the Nobel peace prize-winning spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism said in a recorded statement that the next Dalai Lama should be found and recognised as per past Buddhist traditions. Continue reading...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/02/dalai-lama-says-there-will-be-search-for-his-successor-ending-years-of-speculation?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky&CMP=bsky_gu
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www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
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The spiritual economy: young Chinese turn to fortune tellers as anxiety about the future rises
Growing popularity of mysticism can also be connected to increasing sense of cultural confidence as Chinese brands and products go global
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/01/china-fortune-tellers-young-people-mysticism
5 months ago
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Changing times: Daoist and Buddhist groups at Daxing funerals 1995
stephenjones.blog/suburban-bei...
add a skeleton here at some point
5 months ago
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Reminder of the Chinese-subtitled version of my film on the 1995 New Year's rituals in Gaoluo village!
add a skeleton here at some point
5 months ago
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reposted by
https://stephenjones.blog/
Sixth Tone
5 months ago
Across China, temples are quietly transforming into destinations for lifestyle consumption. Brand crossovers, cafés, vegetarian cuisine, and even venture capital activities now form what some call the “temple economy.” Read more:
ow.ly/Gvlb50WhoUT
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Some comments on the (possibly welcome) paucity of posts on my blog of late...
stephenjones.blog/2025/06/25/p...
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Paltry reflections
Having not exactly been hibernating, I now find myself in what doesn’t merit the term of “sabbatical”. It’s partly that I’m beset by a lack of focus; while it’s …
https://stephenjones.blog/2025/06/25/paltry-reflections/
5 months ago
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