The Content of our Discontent
Asteroid City, In Which Wes Anderson Is Now Just Screwing With Us
Asteroid City comes off not just as a wonderful, original movie but more like an immersive experience into Wes Anderson at his creative peak.
POETS Day! WH Auden’s “September 1, 1939”
I like it, but one of the problems of being a good poem by WH Auden is the comparisons to great poems by WH Auden.
The Unforgiving Sea: OceanGate, Titan, and Unforgiven Hubris
The thing about exploring the depths of the ocean is that it is a lot like exploring space: the environment is brutally unforgiving of error and hubris.
Mini-Throughput: Debate Me, Bro Edition
In order for a scientific debate to work, it needs honest brokers, willing to admit when they’re wrong. Not “debate me, bro” gish gallopers.
Hunter Biden: Justice or Witch Hunt?
Some might say that Hunter was the victim of a witch hunt targeting the Bidens. But sometimes, witch hunts do uncover real crimes.
Airshows and Americana
Airshows have been an American tradition since we pioneered powered flight in 1903; the experience is peak Americana and says a great deal about the American cultural identity.
I’m Told It’s Called Lamb Keema Curry
Lamb keema curry reminded me of something when I was a kid. The flavors are different, but we used to have ground meat over rice a lot.
Hunter Biden Takes Plea Deal On Tax, Gun Charges
Hunter Biden, the long-embattled son of President Joe Biden over his personal conduct, has agreed to plead guilty to two tax-related charges and diversion on a gun charge.
The MAGA Kennedy Democrats
Robert Kennedy, Jr. is a flash in the pan. His campaign will go nowhere. The few Democrats who back him will mostly dump him when his quackery becomes known.
Medievalism!
Friend (and contributor) of Ordinary Times Andrew Reeves has a podcast called The Reeve’s Tale! Andrew is a professor of the medieval period
Juneteenth is a True American Holiday
From Texas, the celebration of Juneteenth spread across the South. As blacks migrated north, seeking more freedom and opportunity, Juneteenth went with them.
The Good Place, Ethics 101, and Spoilers, Spoilers, Spoilers
Seriously, this essay will contain spoilers for The Good Place (now streaming on Netflix).