Unbelievably sad that the glorious Felicity Lott has passed. There have been many great sopranos, but few had the radiant intelligence of this extraordinary musical legend.

Sneaking a giant screen into the flagshagger march is one of the funniest things @ledbydonkeys.org have ever done. "STAY HYDRATED" 😂🤣😂

Pick a Bond from photos you already have in your phone. (Saved for a joke about short shorts but couldn't quite figure out the punch line.)

A very good afternoon to the absolute hero who organised and parked this beauty in the middle of little Tommy’s far-right hate march. ❤️

“Films by Piesiewicz and Kieślowski included No End in 1984, The Decalogue in 1988, The Double Life of Véronique in 1991, and the Three Colours trilogy: Blue, White and Red, released between 1993 and 1994.“

Teaching an undergrad seminar in the fall and in response to SCOTUS decision would like to explore readings on multiracial/pluralist democracy (in contrast / relation to liberal-individualist democracy). Suggestions?

I am finalizing my Fun Stuff in Taipei itinerary if anyone has recs on things to do/eat plz let me know.

Lorenzo Viotti conducted Rachmaninov 2nd symphony tonight with the LA Phil. Unapologetically romantic!

This sent me down a rabbit hole of youtubuling 70s British politicians and hell, the rhetorical skills of politicians has truly declined. Example A: the extraordinary Barbara Castle youtu.be/ydw1ZHk0Tmc?...

Tired: a White House ballroom Wired: a DC triumphal arch Inspired: an imperial colosseum

Had the pleasure of hearing MTT conduct Mahler's 9th a few years ago, a performance I'll never forget. An amazing man and an amazing musician. www.nytimes.com/2026/04/23/a...

California Debate: I fear that if anyone is watching, this debate will boost Porter and Mahan, which increases the chances two Republicans get through. Maybe no one is paying attention 🙏

Great show on Apple+. Highly recommend if gritty crime dramas are your thing.

Loved Lockwood's supersensual review of works on Willa Cather. I'm putting Cather on my summer reading list.

"the colleges that dominate the headlines are not the colleges that most Americans attend their core mission: to serve students from all backgrounds, at a price families can actually afford, prepare graduates for real careers and meaningful lives." www.geneseo.edu/enrollment-m...

"With the entire city-state being run by immigrants, it’s no wonder the Vatican is a sanctuary city home to St. Peter’s Basilica—one of the largest sanctuaries on Earth."

Kid you not, I'm teaching Gelasius's Doctrine of the Two Swords to undergrads tomorrow. I guess a quick overview with no time for discussion is no longer going to cut it.

For years, but especially in the last few months, I have been trying hard to imagine what it will feel like seeing Orban decisively defeated. I just couldn't. And yet here we are: it is truly and well over. I have more reservations about Peter Magyar than I could say in 300 characters or a thread...

No one suspends campaigns over *false* allegations. So you obnoxious people making excuses for Swalwell and blaming the victims need to take seat and shut up.

A lot of Orbán's American fans are saying that this election proved he was never an authoritarian in the first place. This is completely wrong — and, in fact, betrays a complete misunderstanding of both Hungarian politics and modern authoritarianism. Here's why.

Hope!

Reading a Month in the Country is the perfect antidote to, well, everything.

Why I wish Kamala had decided to run for Governor of California: 1. She would be governor of California 2. She would be a fine governor of California 3. She would not be running for president.

No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition. Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Just because I heard it liked it youtu.be/At3Xo1cyvpw?...

An enchanting mystery, possible only in a world where physical books and photographs and shops still exist.

Ahem...

I was just talking to a friend today about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library - new books every month, totally for free, for kids ages 1-5. My son was part of the program - this is a copy of the letter that came with his last book, right after his 5th birthday.

Goneril and Regan

Me: I don't believe in a vengeful God. Also me: you tried to bake bread during Passover. Did it rise? Me: No. Also me: Nu? Me: ...

Nothing makes autofiction sound worse than its fans’ writing about it. www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/m...

Lovely hike on the cliffs of Palos Verdes to start the weekend.

It’s a day for curling up with a good book. I’m going to spend some time with Ibn ’Arabi today. Part research for my poetry collection, part my own interest in the esoteric.

Thanks @adamkunz.com

I am so honored that C. Derick Varn asked me to speak on Schelling, German Idealism, & Romanticism. I was very nervous & stumbled on my words a bit but I am very grateful to have had this dialogue. youtu.be/CF_XVYIEGuA?...

We are thrilled to share that TAIWAN TRAVELOGUE has been shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize! Congratulations to author Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, translator @linkinglionking.bsky.social, and our publishing partners in the UK @andotherstories.bsky.social 🎉🎉 thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-l...

even if he weren't a heinous transphobe, which he is; even if he weren't in the pocket of big tech, which he is; even if he didn't have a big fancy restaurant party during COVID, which he did; do you really want a President Gavin? That is a toddler name

This beasty was hanging out on the pier on my walk this afternoon

Herbologists and botanists! Got a bunch of this in my packet of cilantro / coriander. Anyone know what this is? #herbs #botany

Terrible news, esp folks who study Buddhism in the US. The zendo and library were burned down. It was founded in 1967 by S Suzuki. #academia #amrel www.lionsroar.com/tassajara-ze...

"Let us not ask what AI can do for Oberlin students, but what Oberlin students can do ourselves, while we still have the brain capacity to think on our own." (Wondering if Luddite clubs might spring up at other schools where students are similarly frustrated with administrators' #AI obsession...)

My criteria for dem candidate in 2028 listed in order of priority: 1. Electability (I think Newsom scores low on this btw) 2. Communication skills 3. Integrity and character 4. Policy

This got mediocre reviews but I have to say I loved it.

What is the wisdom of getting older worth if you still get zits on your nose?

An upbeat overture followed immediately by a big number for the chorus.

I find Swalwell slightly cringe. Cali folks, please convince me otherwise.

Useful thread on liberalusm and the wide range of ideological positions covered by the term:

A few taps with a butter knife or a firm twist with a dish towel usually does the trick.

Excellent piece about Habermas by Raymond Geuss.

The zoom scene in Rooster is pretty great.