Aaron Gross
@rongwrong.bsky.social
“Every word that is uttered creates an angel.”
Happy holidays to all, and Fuck Palestine 🙂
October 7, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Happy holidays to all, and Fuck Palestine 🙂
Nice article on film noir from the NYRB, 1991 <https://archive.li/2B57B>
This is a really good point about how audiences experienced film noir in the 1940s–50s. They weren’t ancient Greeks experiencing catharsis from a tragedy. They were there to enjoy thrills and entertainment.
This is a really good point about how audiences experienced film noir in the 1940s–50s. They weren’t ancient Greeks experiencing catharsis from a tragedy. They were there to enjoy thrills and entertainment.
April 6, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Nice article on film noir from the NYRB, 1991 <https://archive.li/2B57B>
This is a really good point about how audiences experienced film noir in the 1940s–50s. They weren’t ancient Greeks experiencing catharsis from a tragedy. They were there to enjoy thrills and entertainment.
This is a really good point about how audiences experienced film noir in the 1940s–50s. They weren’t ancient Greeks experiencing catharsis from a tragedy. They were there to enjoy thrills and entertainment.
My beliefs aren’t in opposition to anything. My definition of what I called the (or an) ordinary conception of race was a rough paraphrase of this, below.
I said it has certain implications, such as, races have existed for thousands of years. I still don’t see why that doesn’t follow obviously.
I said it has certain implications, such as, races have existed for thousands of years. I still don’t see why that doesn’t follow obviously.
April 4, 2025 at 8:52 AM
My beliefs aren’t in opposition to anything. My definition of what I called the (or an) ordinary conception of race was a rough paraphrase of this, below.
I said it has certain implications, such as, races have existed for thousands of years. I still don’t see why that doesn’t follow obviously.
I said it has certain implications, such as, races have existed for thousands of years. I still don’t see why that doesn’t follow obviously.
Also, the philosophical argument over whether race is “biologically real” seems mostly an argument over what the ambiguous concept BIOLOGICALLY REAL means. The underlying facts are mostly undisputed.
March 28, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Also, the philosophical argument over whether race is “biologically real” seems mostly an argument over what the ambiguous concept BIOLOGICALLY REAL means. The underlying facts are mostly undisputed.
About the murdered Bibas children: I understand, people are making them a symbol. But to me that’s wrong. It lessens the horrors of October 7.
Kidnapping and murdering children was NOTHING compared to the absolute monstrosity of other atrocities committed on that day.
Fuck Palestine!
Kidnapping and murdering children was NOTHING compared to the absolute monstrosity of other atrocities committed on that day.
Fuck Palestine!
February 20, 2025 at 8:17 AM
About the murdered Bibas children: I understand, people are making them a symbol. But to me that’s wrong. It lessens the horrors of October 7.
Kidnapping and murdering children was NOTHING compared to the absolute monstrosity of other atrocities committed on that day.
Fuck Palestine!
Kidnapping and murdering children was NOTHING compared to the absolute monstrosity of other atrocities committed on that day.
Fuck Palestine!
This is great! Professor Amy Wax is suing UPenn for discrimination against whites and Jews regarding “offensive speech”.
I only hope the lawsuit goes to discovery, so UPenn will have to release statistics on how well their black law students actually rank.
freebeacon.com/wp-content/u...
I only hope the lawsuit goes to discovery, so UPenn will have to release statistics on how well their black law students actually rank.
freebeacon.com/wp-content/u...
January 17, 2025 at 2:34 PM
This is great! Professor Amy Wax is suing UPenn for discrimination against whites and Jews regarding “offensive speech”.
I only hope the lawsuit goes to discovery, so UPenn will have to release statistics on how well their black law students actually rank.
freebeacon.com/wp-content/u...
I only hope the lawsuit goes to discovery, so UPenn will have to release statistics on how well their black law students actually rank.
freebeacon.com/wp-content/u...
This is a joke but it doesn’t tell the truth. As Yigal Carmon has said, Israel lost the war on Oct 7, 2023. No subsequent Israeli victory could change that.
In that sense, Hamas certainly did win the war, whatever happens going forward. We will see that clearly, when we see the hostages.
In that sense, Hamas certainly did win the war, whatever happens going forward. We will see that clearly, when we see the hostages.
January 17, 2025 at 2:27 PM
This is a joke but it doesn’t tell the truth. As Yigal Carmon has said, Israel lost the war on Oct 7, 2023. No subsequent Israeli victory could change that.
In that sense, Hamas certainly did win the war, whatever happens going forward. We will see that clearly, when we see the hostages.
In that sense, Hamas certainly did win the war, whatever happens going forward. We will see that clearly, when we see the hostages.
Movies where someone bought an expensive piece of jewelry or watch for their spouse/partner & another identical one for their lover, with engraving (on the watch), and this was an important plot point?
• Heaven Can Wait (1943)
• Johnny O’Clock (1947)
• The Edge (1997)
Are there more I missed?
• Heaven Can Wait (1943)
• Johnny O’Clock (1947)
• The Edge (1997)
Are there more I missed?
January 11, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Movies where someone bought an expensive piece of jewelry or watch for their spouse/partner & another identical one for their lover, with engraving (on the watch), and this was an important plot point?
• Heaven Can Wait (1943)
• Johnny O’Clock (1947)
• The Edge (1997)
Are there more I missed?
• Heaven Can Wait (1943)
• Johnny O’Clock (1947)
• The Edge (1997)
Are there more I missed?
More about overrated classics: the Ernst Lubitsch classic films I’ve seen are overrated, except for “Heaven Can Wait” which was really good.
Lubitsch is called “sophisticated”, which means adultery. But now when adultery is no longer risque, “sophistication” doesn’t help. What’s left ain’t funny.
Lubitsch is called “sophisticated”, which means adultery. But now when adultery is no longer risque, “sophistication” doesn’t help. What’s left ain’t funny.
January 9, 2025 at 8:05 AM
More about overrated classics: the Ernst Lubitsch classic films I’ve seen are overrated, except for “Heaven Can Wait” which was really good.
Lubitsch is called “sophisticated”, which means adultery. But now when adultery is no longer risque, “sophistication” doesn’t help. What’s left ain’t funny.
Lubitsch is called “sophisticated”, which means adultery. But now when adultery is no longer risque, “sophistication” doesn’t help. What’s left ain’t funny.
So I read this new book by Eric Turkheimer, “Understanding the Nature–Nurture Debate”, and it’s really good.
There are a few things that didn’t help the book, and there were a couple minor cases where I found his “gloomy prospect” argument unpersuasive. But overall, well-presented and convincing.
There are a few things that didn’t help the book, and there were a couple minor cases where I found his “gloomy prospect” argument unpersuasive. But overall, well-presented and convincing.
January 3, 2025 at 2:12 PM
So I read this new book by Eric Turkheimer, “Understanding the Nature–Nurture Debate”, and it’s really good.
There are a few things that didn’t help the book, and there were a couple minor cases where I found his “gloomy prospect” argument unpersuasive. But overall, well-presented and convincing.
There are a few things that didn’t help the book, and there were a couple minor cases where I found his “gloomy prospect” argument unpersuasive. But overall, well-presented and convincing.
These are the original lyrics to “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from “Meet Me in St. Louis”.
Judy Garland was appalled. She said if she were to sing them in the movie, “Margaret will cry, and they’ll think I’m a monster”.
So here it is, maybe the most depressing Christmas song never sung
Judy Garland was appalled. She said if she were to sing them in the movie, “Margaret will cry, and they’ll think I’m a monster”.
So here it is, maybe the most depressing Christmas song never sung
December 18, 2024 at 4:53 AM
These are the original lyrics to “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from “Meet Me in St. Louis”.
Judy Garland was appalled. She said if she were to sing them in the movie, “Margaret will cry, and they’ll think I’m a monster”.
So here it is, maybe the most depressing Christmas song never sung
Judy Garland was appalled. She said if she were to sing them in the movie, “Margaret will cry, and they’ll think I’m a monster”.
So here it is, maybe the most depressing Christmas song never sung
What are some noir films that ultimately have a positive, optimistic worldview?
I wondered that after watching two such noir B-movies by Hugo Haas: “Pickup” and “The Girl on the Bridge”. Then I thought, actually also one of the most famous noir films of all: “The Maltese Falcon”!
Which others?
I wondered that after watching two such noir B-movies by Hugo Haas: “Pickup” and “The Girl on the Bridge”. Then I thought, actually also one of the most famous noir films of all: “The Maltese Falcon”!
Which others?
December 11, 2024 at 6:57 AM
What are some noir films that ultimately have a positive, optimistic worldview?
I wondered that after watching two such noir B-movies by Hugo Haas: “Pickup” and “The Girl on the Bridge”. Then I thought, actually also one of the most famous noir films of all: “The Maltese Falcon”!
Which others?
I wondered that after watching two such noir B-movies by Hugo Haas: “Pickup” and “The Girl on the Bridge”. Then I thought, actually also one of the most famous noir films of all: “The Maltese Falcon”!
Which others?
I watched Billy Wilder’s “Ace in the Hole” (1951) because people raved about it and…well, it isn’t for me. The satire was too on the nose and I thought that ruined the picture.
But connoisseurs of scenery-chewing will love Kirk Douglas’s hammy performance. And there’s witty dialogue, as expected!
But connoisseurs of scenery-chewing will love Kirk Douglas’s hammy performance. And there’s witty dialogue, as expected!
December 8, 2024 at 1:55 PM
I watched Billy Wilder’s “Ace in the Hole” (1951) because people raved about it and…well, it isn’t for me. The satire was too on the nose and I thought that ruined the picture.
But connoisseurs of scenery-chewing will love Kirk Douglas’s hammy performance. And there’s witty dialogue, as expected!
But connoisseurs of scenery-chewing will love Kirk Douglas’s hammy performance. And there’s witty dialogue, as expected!
Watched “The Killer That Stalked New York” (1950), viewable on YouTube <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqY5ef5RIk8>.
It was worth watching ironically, as one of those earnest 1950s movies. But for epidemic thrillers, "Panic in the Streets” (spoiler: there was no panic in the streets) was better.
It was worth watching ironically, as one of those earnest 1950s movies. But for epidemic thrillers, "Panic in the Streets” (spoiler: there was no panic in the streets) was better.
November 29, 2024 at 9:13 AM
Watched “The Killer That Stalked New York” (1950), viewable on YouTube <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqY5ef5RIk8>.
It was worth watching ironically, as one of those earnest 1950s movies. But for epidemic thrillers, "Panic in the Streets” (spoiler: there was no panic in the streets) was better.
It was worth watching ironically, as one of those earnest 1950s movies. But for epidemic thrillers, "Panic in the Streets” (spoiler: there was no panic in the streets) was better.
A message for Thanksgiving: remember that virtually all that we love most about our country is from the settler–colonialists
November 28, 2024 at 2:34 PM
A message for Thanksgiving: remember that virtually all that we love most about our country is from the settler–colonialists
He also talked about Frippertronics and also about why he disbanded King Crimson and I got his autograph on this album
November 25, 2024 at 8:45 PM
He also talked about Frippertronics and also about why he disbanded King Crimson and I got his autograph on this album
(Tom Cruise in “Tropic Thunder”)
“That guy looks just like the actor Tom Cruise!”
“That guy looks just like the actor Tom Cruise!”
November 25, 2024 at 12:33 PM
(Tom Cruise in “Tropic Thunder”)
“That guy looks just like the actor Tom Cruise!”
“That guy looks just like the actor Tom Cruise!”
In my experience it depends a whole lot on the intelligence of the person you’re speaking to
November 24, 2024 at 9:26 PM
In my experience it depends a whole lot on the intelligence of the person you’re speaking to
“And whosoever shall not receive you…when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet”
There are like a billion people in the world who literally hate you, because you’re a Jew or white or a man or whatever. Shake off the dust of your feet and depart. Best way to handle it.
There are like a billion people in the world who literally hate you, because you’re a Jew or white or a man or whatever. Shake off the dust of your feet and depart. Best way to handle it.
November 24, 2024 at 3:55 PM
“And whosoever shall not receive you…when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet”
There are like a billion people in the world who literally hate you, because you’re a Jew or white or a man or whatever. Shake off the dust of your feet and depart. Best way to handle it.
There are like a billion people in the world who literally hate you, because you’re a Jew or white or a man or whatever. Shake off the dust of your feet and depart. Best way to handle it.
You probably know this already, but they didn’t burn bras. “Bra-burning” might have been a cute media play on draft-card burning. At least one protester did throw her bra into the “Freedom Trash Can”.
November 24, 2024 at 10:03 AM
You probably know this already, but they didn’t burn bras. “Bra-burning” might have been a cute media play on draft-card burning. At least one protester did throw her bra into the “Freedom Trash Can”.
I watched “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” (1962). I am the only person in the world who did not like Katherine Hepburn’s performance in it.
The other three actors were excellent: Dean Stockwell, Jason Robards, Ralph Richardson. Well directed by Sidney Lumet.
The other three actors were excellent: Dean Stockwell, Jason Robards, Ralph Richardson. Well directed by Sidney Lumet.
November 24, 2024 at 8:48 AM
I watched “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” (1962). I am the only person in the world who did not like Katherine Hepburn’s performance in it.
The other three actors were excellent: Dean Stockwell, Jason Robards, Ralph Richardson. Well directed by Sidney Lumet.
The other three actors were excellent: Dean Stockwell, Jason Robards, Ralph Richardson. Well directed by Sidney Lumet.
Did you hear that, anon? It’s OK to post jokes!
November 23, 2024 at 5:44 AM
Did you hear that, anon? It’s OK to post jokes!
I won the Worst Tweet of 2023 tournament
November 21, 2024 at 7:42 PM
I won the Worst Tweet of 2023 tournament