Humans have two modes. Complacency and panic. I was talking to friends with small children recently and was surprised to hear they had opted to not vaccinate their kids. As is so often the case I’m profoundly ambivalent about these issues in terms of right or wrong. What really interests me is the larger dynamic … Continue reading The Anti-Vaxxer World
When I was six years old my scruples were removed along with my tonsils and adenoids. It was a fashionable surgery in the early 1970s. Consequently I’m a peculiar kind of Philistine with an affinity for the pragmatic aspects of other people’s cultural rituals. I’m amoral and omnivorous. Technically I’m a nominal Catholic, but waaaay … Continue reading Yuri Gagarin’s Pesach KonMari
Friends and relatives in Nebraska sent links to the floods they’re currently experiencing. The people we know are lucky enough to have homes that are just slightly above the icy waters, but many of their neighbors are inundated and the cattle are dying in large numbers. There are serious questions about whether or not many … Continue reading High Water Marks
A series of home infrastructure projects have finally concluded after many months and I’m looking back at what worked, what didn’t, and how various compromises were made. As usual there was an initial ideal that was put through the meat grinder of external reality. In the end I learned a few things and slowly came … Continue reading Sewer, Gas, and Electric
I stopped by a local sports bar this weekend and ordered a burger. I was prompted to do so after listening to a podcast about synthetic meat. Evidently products are already out there and ready for a test drive. I’m not a vegetarian or even much of a peacenik when it comes to industrial agriculture … Continue reading Bite Me
I have what some people might describe as Brooklyn old Jewish lady tendencies when it comes to furniture and fashion – part overwrought pretentiousness and part comfort seeking pragmatism. The Yiddish term ungapatchka comes close to my natural habitat. This is all complimented by a hint of adolescent Puerto Rican enthusiasm for bright colors and … Continue reading Ungapatchka
A reader recently made a comment I took seriously: “I am certainly not here to try and refute much of what you have brought to light, only to suggest that your comments are not in the least bit constructive on the whole. That is why I have decided to pin you with the prestigious “Captain … Continue reading The Captain Hindsight Award
I was chastised by one of my readers for focusing exclusively on the negative aspects of Memphis without depicting the flowering of some of the historic neighborhoods. Evidently they’re much better now than just a few years ago. So I’ll highlight one of the select spots in town that are currently flourishing after decades of … Continue reading Memphis Bluff
Does this landscape look familiar? There are places like this all over the country. Half forgotten neighborhoods populated by vacant parking lots and semi abandoned buildings can be found everywhere. The tide of history has left them behind. People don’t want to live here. Folks with resources can afford to be elsewhere. The more property … Continue reading Marsupial Urbanism
Granola Shotgun 