MLK was only 39 when he was killed. Growing up, I thought that was old. But I’m 43 now and I’m stunned by the burden he shouldered at such a young age. I’m also a lot more aware of how hard it is, at any age, to carry the hopes and dreams of an oppressed people on your shoulders, as so many do.

Everybody thinks 'https://' stands for 'hypertext transfer protocol secure' but it actually stands for 'head to this place, sucka' followed by a colon and two laser sounds

These recordings feel akin to reading someone's diary or eavesdropping on a conversation.

Good post daringfireball.net/2026/01/lets...

Was not expecting to contemplate both civil war and world war within the first week of 2026.

40 years ago, on Tuesday, January 7, 1986, “West End girls” hit number one in the UK singles chart and stayed there for two weeks. #PetText

Saw Sentimental Value and really enjoyed it. More than I expected. Still thinking about it, days later. It’s very Scandinavian and obviously has a similar feel to Worst Person in the World, but it also has a Sophia Coppola vibe, especially Lost in Translation. Skarsgård is really good. (per usual)

Sunrise inside Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

Been thinking about a project for over a year but never got far or put much effort into it. Decided to use it as a test for Claude code. Took ~20 minutes and cost ~$2. Now that it exists I’ve basically lost interest in it as a project. The journey really is the destination. 🤷‍♂️

💯 agree with John. I avoided watching Civil War for months because of the trailer but finally gave in on a long plane ride and was surprised that I actually enjoyed it. I have since recommended it multiple times. Kind of a shame that it was marketed the way it was.

Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up. I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.

My whole life we’ve been told that The US is simply too big to have high speed rail

Watched Black Bag last night. It's very Soderbergh in the best ways and was fun/enjoyable in a way that a lot of films aren't these days, if you know what I mean. Also, a tight 90 minutes.

[ Good Advice ] "Look for a Goth" www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1PV...

Things are Terrible, but this isn't. Be weird.

This.

My luke warm take of the week is that Pluribus is shot way better than it is written. There are so many incredible shots in every episode. (The DP is Marshall Adams)

“It is easy for me to imagine that the next great division of the world will be between people who wish to live as creatures and people who wish to live as machines.” ~ Wendell Berry

@bobwertz.com for you: design.google/library/goog...

[ this is insane & heartwarming ] Jorb bought 20,000 of Qrates (small batch) pressed vinyl at auction from a fulfillment warehouse so that he could return them to the artists, when possible. "I don't like when creative people get screwed" www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUCC...

The U.S. is giving dying mall vibes. I can't explain it, but you know I'm right.

One of the biggest moments of my career: USCIS canceled my client’s naturalization oath ceremony. We filed a lawsuit, went to trial, and the judge swore him in right there in the courtroom!

I think it's important not to misunderstand what these social media platforms are. They are not public arenas where we bravely take on reactionary forces in honorable combat. They are apps that expose you to stress and thereby simulate the feeling of having done something useful

slopless in seattle

The Princess Bride was adapted as a screenplay by William Goldman from his novel of the same name. No shade to Reiner, but if you appreciate a line or two from the film, you appreciate William Goldman’s writing. (Or Billy Crystal’s adlib talents) 😉

I think the fundamental gap here is that non-creative people think that creative people make things for the end product, when in fact it’s the act of creation and not the end point that makes it worthwhile.

A friend shared this playlist migrator utility that seems to work well. You can migrate from platform to platform (like if you’re leaving Spotify, for example). Also converts text to playlist, which is fun. www.tunemymusic.com

Years ago, I used to be pretty good at small talk and was genuinely interested in engaging with other humans, even if only on a superficial level. These days, it feels different. I am deeply disinterested and I wonder if it’s old age or maybe a side-effect of the pandemic or something else? 🤷‍♂️

I remember coveting this toy in the early ‘80s.

I only listen to this album a couple times a year but it’s always an experience.

Away in a Waymo, no crib for a bed,

I want the mentos packaging form factor and the individual candy’s shape but for chewing gum.

All sorts of drama happened because someone pointed out something valid that I’ve long believed but never voiced. This is one of the myriad reasons why I generally don’t express my opinion online anymore. 🤷‍♂️

Martin Parr, absolute mensch. From Colin Wilkinson, founder of Bluecoat Press, on FB

[ this is good ] zachtenorio.bandcamp.com/track/linus-...

In-n-Outkast

[ this is fascinating ] "If Google Maps now acts as a kind of market maker for urban demand, the obvious next question is: what would the city look like without that amplification layer?" laurenleek.substack.com/p/how-google...

“Why are folks getting dumber?” Because they don’t read. “Why aren’t men as romantic & poetic as they used to be?” Because they don’t read. “Why are people so vulnerable to propaganda?” “Why is everyone a conspiracy theorist?” Because they don’t read. Because they don’t read.

I’ve had at least a dozen laptops over the years and never once put a sticker on any of them. (I even designed several different laptop stickers back in the day). 🤷‍♂️

PSA: Air did a Tiny Desk! (recently) www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjuo...

I’ve yet to see it but I Am Martin Parr has been on my list for all of 2025 and now seems like a rather timely moment for a viewing. RIP releasing.dogwoof.com/i-am-martin-...

TIL: The Notwist released a rarities compilation in November and have a new album coming in 2026! thenotwist.bandcamp.com/album/magnif...

This is Marzieh (Sharafat Morteza). I can’t pin down a date or title, but probably recorded in pre-revolutionary Iran. Classical Persian singing thoroughly dripping with passion. More about her life in the ALT.

Weird trend I've noticed in movie trailers: Take a popular '80s hit song and slow it down. Might just be an A24 thing. Anora used Blondie's Dreaming and Marty Supreme uses a slowed down version of Tears for Fears' Everybody Wants to Rule the World. It's effective, I guess.

2025 is the 30th anniversary of the 18th Dye album "Tribute to a Bus" (1995) and it's kind of crazy I haven't seen any articles about it. 🤷‍♂️

Today I learned about the term/concept: Irredentism (The term irredentism was coined from the Italian phrase "Italia irredenta" (unredeemed Italy), which would be an awesome band or song name) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irreden...

This!

This is actually quite brilliant, up to and including the final sentence 🔥

The obvious ones: 1. Ben Franklin with the key 2. William Penn’s hat 3. The Liberty Bell 4. The three rivers 5. Andy Warhol 6. The Erie Canal (good for New York too) 7. Gettysburg Address 8. Scranton 9. The Poconos 10. Washington crossing the Delaware 11. Italian Market 12. Scrapple 13. Lancaster