Scott Adams’ sad history
Reuben Bolling brilliantly exposes Scott Adams’s descent, appropriately enough in cartoon format. See it here.
What’s coming for us (and the planet) with climate change…
• Do read Elizabeth Kolbert’s Under a White Sky. Accessible, enjoyable, well-written, but terrifying in the sense of foreboding/inevitability it provokes. Everyone should read this book and then do what they can to support efforts to mitigate climate change.
Worth provoking some thoughts…
Recommended by Matthew Yglesias (whose Slow Boring blog at Substack I recommend), the new incarnation of the Slate Star Codex blog, Astral Codex Ten.
Comet Watching
• Neowise is growing dimmer, so if you get the chance, take the opportunity to see one of the solar system’s great shows, a comet close enough to be seen, tail and all, with the naked eye. I took this last night at Sepiessa.
Richard North Patterson
I always find Ric Patterson’s pieces (now most commonly in the Bulwark) rewarding. His Bulwark pieces are here.
Daring Fireball
One of my favorite blogs, John Gruber’s Daring Fireball is smart, entertaining, and always a treat (especially if you like things Apple). Check it out.
Words from “Donald Trump is Our National Catastrophe”
Though I often disagree with Brett Stephens, I certainly am in accord with the main thrust of his most recent opinion piece in the NYT – Donald Trump IS indeed our national catastrophe, a man who generally acts with malice toward all and charity for none: Donald Trump is Our National Catastrophe. These words from the column also resonated with me: “What does one learn when reading great political speeches and writings? That well-chosen words are the way by which past deeds acquire meaning and future deeds acquire purpose.” Among his many other failings, Trump can’t ever seem to find well-chosen words.
Canada vs. US; Canada Wins
• An exploration of why the Canadian response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is considerably better than the one in the US. HINT – it has something to do with leadership and a functioning national government: Canada succeeded on coronavirus where America failed. Why?
Long Point
A restful day at Long Point. I’ve always found sitting on the beach, listening to and watching the ocean, very meditative.