Barbarism begets barbarism, sires horror, nurtures hatred in its infernal cycle.

I don't know about you but my reflex is to retreat, further and further into myself, and those closest to me. To vacuum floors and wash dishes. Shoot a couple of pictures, maybe. I know I shouldn't, but this constant assault on decency and humanity is frightening. Everything is now cannon fodder—rules, precepts, books, women, children, homes, schools, public squares. No one is innocent, and no one is safe.

Do we get out of this? Or does it accelerate until we all fly off into the cosmos, gravity be damned, as our planet burns and drowns all at once?

Words feel inadequate these days.

…

On a lighter note: if you're a Bowie fan, you absolutely need to check out Brett Morgen's Moonage Daydream. I watched the movie last week and sat transfixed the entire time. I did turn on subtitles, however, which I never do. Because the narrative is exclusively built around scratchy interviews, outtakes, and a downright expressionist soundtrack. It gets overwhelming at times, but I’d say immersion is the point. Tour de force.

On to the links.