My commentary on stand out modern art. Jeff Koons: Balloon Dog (Orange) A metal balloon dog. $58,405,000. The frenzied duress of saturated millennial megalomania achieves maximal expression in the iridescent Balloon Dog. The animatronic caricature indelibly captures our breathtakingly shallow… Read more ›
Part of an essay series. See Egypt, Japan, Guatemala. For explanation of references, see the end notes. A gentle rain fell on the Roman ruins. But we were far from Rome on this quiet plain in Morocco. We were in… Read more ›
Recent reporting on Kashmir simplifies the millennia of history that lead to the Kashmiri tragedy. I try to provide context and argue for shades of gray instead of right and wrong. Important points are in bold. Note: I’m not a… Read more ›
My list of NYC places not on the standard tourist beat. Museums Morgan Rubin Tenement Food Bakeries Breads bakery : Get babka and almond croissants Bien Cuit: Overfermented loaf. Chocolate Michel Cluizel Mariebelle Icecream Ample Hills Mikey Likes It —… Read more ›
At a boring party? These questions will mix it up. Are we primed for violence à la video games, mobs, movies? Do we need traumatic coming-of-age rituals? Should we live with our friends à la hunter gatherers? Have men’s gender… Read more ›
It was impossible to believe. The pyramids rose before me, massive, monolithic, and ancient. Ancient beyond reckoning. So ancient that they appeared like mirages fluttering in the desert wind, as if transmogrified down the march of centuries, shifting in and… Read more ›
We stood on the beach and stared at the three phantasmagorical volcanoes. Those volcanos floated on an azul lake; a shimmering cerulean mirage of a lake; a lake of eternal spring; crested by three perfectly symmetrical volcanoes whose veridian verdigris… Read more ›
Read while listening to Ital Tek – Strangelove. I entered the gallery. Rows of gilt, bronze Buddhas arrayed before me. Each Buddha floated in a glass box. Each Buddha was reflected fourthly, by the the four enclosing glass panes. But… Read more ›
What is a Technical Writer? A technical writer is the glue between users, developers, marketing folks, and tech support. A tech writer knows a little of everything. A technical writer carefully cultivates a broad lens on their product and fills… Read more ›
We simulate Earth for several reasons. Economists to model the economy, meteorologists for weather, climate scientists for climate change, quants for financial models etc. The simulations within each class compete for greater and greater fidelity. By necessity, these models grow… Read more ›