 …when you spend way too much time on stuff that’s not supposed to happen  I consider Tank Man the bravest individual of my lifetime. His courage has always struck me as superhuman and I remember him annually. Published by The Associated Press, originally photographed by Jeff Widener  Daniel Dennett in about 2004. “There’s simply no polite way to tell people they’ve dedicated their lives to an illusion,” he said of religion. Credit...Eamonn McCabe/Popperfoto, via Getty Images New York Times My connection to global news on the whole isn’t as robust as it used to be. I consider this beneficial. However, a consequence of this retreat is that I miss peripheral events most people would consider inconsequential.
On April 19, Daniel Dennett died. For me this event is as far from inconsequential as anything could be. Dennett is by every measure one of my heroes. He was a titan of reason and ideas to whom I listened for hours at a time. I read his books, watched his debates and lectures. He both verified my intuitions and crushed my delusions. I will forever be grateful for Daniel Dennett. Shine on, you crazy diamond.  My copy does not credit the artist… My intertwined reading list over the last two months (in no particular order, akin to how I’m reading them):
Conan the Barbarian: the Complete Robert E. Howard Stories The Dawn of Everything by Graeber and Wengrow (my third rereading) The Sweet Spot by Paul Bloom Behave by Robert Sapolsky The Amulet by Roberto Bolaño The Dispossessed by Ursula K. le Guin (also thrice rereading) Merely Christianity by Robert M. Price The Silmarillion (my second time through) by JRR Tolkien The Heart of the Anarchist by Jaron Dagan  My three massive elms are the best trees in town…    A train carrying diesel and propane derailed on the NM/AZ border and exploded today. This train was not inspected by carmen. The railroads don’t truly care about safety. They care about profits. |
Archives
November 2024
Chrysalis, a growing collection of very short fiction.
That Night Filled Mountain
episodes post daily. Paperback editions are available. My newest novel River of Blood is available on Amazon or Apple Books. 
Unless noted, all pics credited to Skitz O'Fuel.
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