Be Specific
42nd Street, New York, 1940, by Lisette Model. Her student Diane Arbus said Model taught her: "The more specific you are, the more general it’ll be."
“On Your Left!”
I do a lot of walking in places where I have to compete for space with bicyclists, and some recent Democrat primary results - especially last night in New York - are beginning to give new meaning to a phrase I hear out there a lot: “On your left!”
The Fourth Is Coming
Out walking on the Mass Avenue bridge this morning, and running into Keith Lockhart at the 180 Smoot marker.
is the Fourth Of July really next week already?
Rooting For England In The World Cup
Because the United States didn’t qualify. And I like their uniforms best.
Central Park
When you’re in Manhattan, moving around over and under the grid on your way to and from work, or on vacation, you’re aware of Central Park, but not really of its scope until you see photos like this one. And I doubt that anything of this scale could be accomplished in a city again.
Robert Moses disrupted and damaged the lives of thousands of people in the implementation of his various highway plans in and around the city and has rightly been held accountable, but he did protect and expanded the recreational opportunities available within this incredible space.
We’ve Been Here Before
“Other governments have separated mothers and children.” (Michael Hayden)
“My! How Handy!”
A General Electric ad from 1940
The Truth Will Be Drowned In A Sea Of Irrelevance
"People will come to love their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think."
Aldous Huxley, pictured in 1936 by Cecil Beaton
The Truth Will Be Drowned In A Sea Of Irrelevance
"People will come to love their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think."
Aldous Huxley, pictured in 1936 by Cecil Beaton
Happy Flag Day
Once upon a time when a frightened mother or a small child saw someone with an American Flag on their arm, they knew they were finally safe. These child detention centers are deeply contrary to the ideals of this country. (Steve Schmidt)
Heart Of Darkness
I’m re-reading Robert Stone’s Dog Soldiers, published in 1973 when people in this country were so frustrated with the president, the war, and the “not normal” status quo that some of them began blowing things up. Like buildings. With people in them. And themselves. it was a very dark time indeed.
This Conrad quote is from the preface to Stone’s novel, one of the finest written during the last century, and quite relevant to present circumstances.
The Second Coming
From "The Second Coming," honoring W. B. Yeats' birthday today:
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
The Current Media Landscape
For those of you playing along at home.
Time For Detox
The Stanley Cup, suffering acute alcohol poisoning, has checked into the Betty Ford Clinic. The NHL asks that you respect its privacy at this difficult time. (Kevin Paul DuPont)