@michaellasley.bsky.social
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Opinion | This Problem Is Easy to Solve
www.nytimes.com
"Malnutrition is a factor in 45 percent of child deaths worldwide ... these deaths can be inexpensively prevented." www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/o...
"In retrospect, I can’t believe how much time I wasted folding pizza slices to fit in my pockets. But thanks to Little Caesars, I don’t have to. The Crazy Puffs fit in my pockets with zero fold." www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/lit...
Reviews of New Food: Little Caesars’ Crazy Puffs
As we all know, the worst part about eating pizza is how the cheese gets stuck to the insides of your pockets. I can’t tell you how many good pairs...
www.mcsweeneys.net
November 17, 2025 at 9:40 PM
"In retrospect, I can’t believe how much time I wasted folding pizza slices to fit in my pockets. But thanks to Little Caesars, I don’t have to. The Crazy Puffs fit in my pockets with zero fold." www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/lit...
"Property rights are America's state religion, and so market-oriented language is the holy catechism. But the things we value most highly aren't property, they cannot be bought or sold in markets, and describing them as property grossly devalues them." pluralistic.net/2025/11/13/p...
Pluralistic: For-profit healthcare is the problem, not (just) private equity (13 Nov 2025) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
pluralistic.net
November 17, 2025 at 5:46 PM
"Property rights are America's state religion, and so market-oriented language is the holy catechism. But the things we value most highly aren't property, they cannot be bought or sold in markets, and describing them as property grossly devalues them." pluralistic.net/2025/11/13/p...
Some Sunday night music: Cherub Rock, by The Smashing Pumpkins. youtu.be/q-KE9lvU810?...
The Smashing Pumpkins - Cherub Rock
YouTube video by SmashingPumpkinsVEVO
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Some Sunday night music: Cherub Rock, by The Smashing Pumpkins. youtu.be/q-KE9lvU810?...
"Despite all their rage, the Pumpkins only landed atop that chart for a single week of their entire decades-long existence, and they did it with a quiet little shrug of a song." stereogum.com/2476444/the-...
The Alternative Number Ones: Smashing Pumpkins' "1979"
In The Alternative Number Ones, I’m reviewing every #1 single in the history of the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks/Alternative Songs, starting with the moment that the chart launched in 1988. This colum...
stereogum.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:54 AM
"Despite all their rage, the Pumpkins only landed atop that chart for a single week of their entire decades-long existence, and they did it with a quiet little shrug of a song." stereogum.com/2476444/the-...
"The proclamation that art matters — that, in difficult times, it helps — can sound like a shopworn self-care mantra.
So instead of musing on generalities, maybe we should focus our attention on a particular aesthetic experience." www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
So instead of musing on generalities, maybe we should focus our attention on a particular aesthetic experience." www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
When I’m Sick of Doomscrolling, I Turn to This Poem
“Monet’s ‘Waterlilies,’” by Robert Hayden, reflects on what art can (and can’t) do in tumultuous times. Our critic A.O. Scott shows you why he loves it.
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 10:32 PM
"The proclamation that art matters — that, in difficult times, it helps — can sound like a shopworn self-care mantra.
So instead of musing on generalities, maybe we should focus our attention on a particular aesthetic experience." www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
So instead of musing on generalities, maybe we should focus our attention on a particular aesthetic experience." www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
"Jesus does not measure power by the size of a palace, the number of zeroes in a fortune, the spectacle of a ballroom, the appearance of permanence, or the ability to dominate political opponents." — @brcremer.bsky.social benjamin-cremer.kit.com/posts/glitte...
Glittering Temples and Ballrooms.
benjamin-cremer.kit.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:14 PM
"Jesus does not measure power by the size of a palace, the number of zeroes in a fortune, the spectacle of a ballroom, the appearance of permanence, or the ability to dominate political opponents." — @brcremer.bsky.social benjamin-cremer.kit.com/posts/glitte...
Some (more) Saturday night music: The Tourist, by Radiohead. youtu.be/4OzU1jdjSZA?...
The Tourist (Remastered)
YouTube video by Radiohead - Topic
youtu.be
November 16, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Some (more) Saturday night music: The Tourist, by Radiohead. youtu.be/4OzU1jdjSZA?...
Some Saturday night music: How to Disappear Completely, by Radiohead. youtu.be/6W6HhdqA95w?...
How to Disappear Completely
YouTube video by Radiohead - Topic
youtu.be
November 16, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Some Saturday night music: How to Disappear Completely, by Radiohead. youtu.be/6W6HhdqA95w?...
"Beneath its humdrum requests, every email said more or less the same thing: Can you explain how reading certain things can turn a person into a socialist—and, possibly, a terrorist-sympathizing antisemite?" lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:42 PM
"Beneath its humdrum requests, every email said more or less the same thing: Can you explain how reading certain things can turn a person into a socialist—and, possibly, a terrorist-sympathizing antisemite?" lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
"When his phone rang this July from a friend informing him that Centenary head coach Byron Dawson was in need of a last-minute OC, Mumme told his friend to give Dawson his number.
'I wasn't doing nothing,' Mumme joked in his Texas drawl." www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
'I wasn't doing nothing,' Mumme joked in his Texas drawl." www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
A small liberal arts school needed a coach. The 73-year-old inventor of the Air Raid showed up
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:10 PM
"When his phone rang this July from a friend informing him that Centenary head coach Byron Dawson was in need of a last-minute OC, Mumme told his friend to give Dawson his number.
'I wasn't doing nothing,' Mumme joked in his Texas drawl." www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
'I wasn't doing nothing,' Mumme joked in his Texas drawl." www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Some Friday night music: Nightswimming, by R.E.M. youtu.be/KVT0S0j7F9Y?...
R.E.M. - Nightswimming (Later… with Jools Holland on BBC1, 14 October 2003)
YouTube video by REMVEVO
youtu.be
November 15, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Some Friday night music: Nightswimming, by R.E.M. youtu.be/KVT0S0j7F9Y?...
If you need a little beauty tonight. youtu.be/YnikDscuh-Q?...
Mavericks - November 6th 2025 - Season opening swell
YouTube video by Tucker Wooding
youtu.be
November 15, 2025 at 3:58 AM
If you need a little beauty tonight. youtu.be/YnikDscuh-Q?...
"UNESCO Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects, which will display 600 artefacts that have been stolen or disappeared." www.dezeen.com/2025/11/13/u...
Diébédo Francis Kéré designs UNESCO virtual museum of stolen artefacts
Burkinabè architect Diébédo Francis Kéré has designed a spiralling web-based gallery for the UNESCO Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects.
www.dezeen.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:40 AM
"UNESCO Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects, which will display 600 artefacts that have been stolen or disappeared." www.dezeen.com/2025/11/13/u...
Yet another person in a position of leadership using he excuse of "I haven't read about that." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
Under Fire for Tucker Carlson Remarks, Think Tank Chief Pleads Ignorance
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Yet another person in a position of leadership using he excuse of "I haven't read about that." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
This is fascinating. "While this process is not identical to photosynthesis, it serves a comparable purpose and converts energy from the environment to sustain growth. This phenomenon, called radiosynthesis, has opened up exciting avenues in biochemistry and radiation research."
This Black Fungus Might Be Healing Chernobyl By Drinking Radiation. The fungi contain melanin, which “absorbs radiation, which is then converted into usable energy, allowing it to grow in areas with intense radioactive exposure.” [forbes.com]
This Black Fungus Might Be Healing Chernobyl By Drinking Radiation—A Biologist Explains
Cladosporium sphaerospermum is a remarkable species of radiotrophic fungus that is thriving in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and which scientists are studying to unlock applications in a wide range of fields.
www.forbes.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:41 PM
This is fascinating. "While this process is not identical to photosynthesis, it serves a comparable purpose and converts energy from the environment to sustain growth. This phenomenon, called radiosynthesis, has opened up exciting avenues in biochemistry and radiation research."
Reposted
“Housing shortage – Jews to blame," letter sticker, German Reich, 1938
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
November 14, 2025 at 2:16 AM
“Housing shortage – Jews to blame," letter sticker, German Reich, 1938
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
Some Thursday night music: Are You With Me Now?, by Cate Le Bon. youtu.be/KdIZ0V91Rvg?...
Cate Le Bon performing "Are You With Me Now?" Live on KCRW
YouTube video by KCRW
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Some Thursday night music: Are You With Me Now?, by Cate Le Bon. youtu.be/KdIZ0V91Rvg?...
Reposted
you could fact check this — there aren’t 30 million illegal immigrants and there is no evidence that the presence of an immigrant in say houston has any impact on housing in madison, wisconsin — or you could note straightforwardly that this is just nazi rhetoric
JD Vance: "A lot of young people are saying housing is way too expensive. Why is that? Because we flooded the country with 30 million illegal immigrants who were taking houses that ought by right go to American citizens."
November 13, 2025 at 10:12 PM
you could fact check this — there aren’t 30 million illegal immigrants and there is no evidence that the presence of an immigrant in say houston has any impact on housing in madison, wisconsin — or you could note straightforwardly that this is just nazi rhetoric
"The Kaiser's entourage compiled press cuttings for him, mostly about himself, which he read as obsessively as Trump watches television. A critical story would send him into paroxysms of fury." www.newyorker.com/culture/cult...
What Happens When a Bad-Tempered, Distractible Doofus Runs an Empire?
Donald Trump is reminiscent of Kaiser Wilhelm II, during whose reign the upper echelons of the German government began to unravel into a free-for-all.
www.newyorker.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:37 PM
"The Kaiser's entourage compiled press cuttings for him, mostly about himself, which he read as obsessively as Trump watches television. A critical story would send him into paroxysms of fury." www.newyorker.com/culture/cult...
"Don't you think maybe they are the same thing? Love and attention?" — Sister Sarah-Joan, in Lady Bird. www.brightwalldarkroom.com/2025/10/25/l...
Lady Bird (2017): A Labor of Attention
Lady Bird is the closing film of our class, presented to my students as a look back at senior year through a film that gets a lot right about the high school experience.
www.brightwalldarkroom.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:03 PM
"Don't you think maybe they are the same thing? Love and attention?" — Sister Sarah-Joan, in Lady Bird. www.brightwalldarkroom.com/2025/10/25/l...
Some Wednesday night music: Be Patient with Me, by Wilco. youtu.be/ioUqFoRByrs?...
Please Be Patient with Me
YouTube video by Wilco - Topic
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Some Wednesday night music: Be Patient with Me, by Wilco. youtu.be/ioUqFoRByrs?...
I love this question seeing how they answer some version of this question: What was the first book you fell in love with?
And this one: Who is the person, or what is the place or practice that had the most significant impact on your literary education?
lithub.com/meet-the-202...
And this one: Who is the person, or what is the place or practice that had the most significant impact on your literary education?
lithub.com/meet-the-202...
Meet the 2025 National Book Award Finalists
The winners of the 76th National Book Awards—given every year in Young People’s Literature, Translation, Poetry, Nonfiction, and Fiction—will be announced next week in a ceremony hosted by Jeff Hil…
lithub.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:11 AM
I love this question seeing how they answer some version of this question: What was the first book you fell in love with?
And this one: Who is the person, or what is the place or practice that had the most significant impact on your literary education?
lithub.com/meet-the-202...
And this one: Who is the person, or what is the place or practice that had the most significant impact on your literary education?
lithub.com/meet-the-202...
Some Tuesday night music: Southern Belle, by Elliot Smith. youtu.be/VVAceSZWios?...
Southern Belle
YouTube video by Elliott Smith - Topic
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Some Tuesday night music: Southern Belle, by Elliot Smith. youtu.be/VVAceSZWios?...
"This aurora was so bright that it was visible to the unaided eye during blue hour — just after sunset when the sky appears a darkening blue."
Auroral Hummingbird over Norway
(Image Credit & Copyright: Mickael Coulon)
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap25021...
Auroral Hummingbird over Norway
(Image Credit & Copyright: Mickael Coulon)
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap25021...
November 12, 2025 at 2:11 AM
"This aurora was so bright that it was visible to the unaided eye during blue hour — just after sunset when the sky appears a darkening blue."
Auroral Hummingbird over Norway
(Image Credit & Copyright: Mickael Coulon)
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap25021...
Auroral Hummingbird over Norway
(Image Credit & Copyright: Mickael Coulon)
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap25021...
This morning I read a meditation by Richard Rohr on the Prayer of Mary. "It was once considered against the law to recite this prayer at public demonstrations in Argentina. (You have to give them credit for seeing the immense political implications of this seemingly sweet and pretty prayer.)"
November 11, 2025 at 11:07 PM
This morning I read a meditation by Richard Rohr on the Prayer of Mary. "It was once considered against the law to recite this prayer at public demonstrations in Argentina. (You have to give them credit for seeing the immense political implications of this seemingly sweet and pretty prayer.)"