Backlog: Early 2025
- The Snakehead by Patrick Redden Keefe is a compelling read about immigration from China in the late 20th century. It is obviously relevant for controversies today. Highly readable and it sticks with you.
- The Revolt of the Public by Martin Gurri is a disturbing analysis of the political swings of the last two decades. Those hoping for reassurance that the situation will normalize once their preferred party or politician takes charge will not find it. The diagnosis is compelling. What to do about it? Less clear.
- Things Hidden: The Life and Legacy of René Girard, a documentary about a figure that I’ve heard referred to quite a bit recently, but didn’t know anything about. Interesting throughout and I’m curious how Girard would react to all the different people name checking him today.
- Logo Rewind: Trademarks of Medieval Norwich by Darren Leader. This is a great book and so many of the trademarks feel so modern. A great resource.
- Feature of Alice Vincent, designer behind Penguin’s Clothbound Classics. I saw them linked by Ben Crowder. Just lovely. I love peaks behind the scenes like this.
- Interesting series by Brandon Shaw about using an iPod in the age of Spotify. Real food for thought about the intentional use of technology.
- Godzilla Minus One. A compelling Godzilla movie. An IP cash grab it is not.
- A history of Bronica. I’ve loved using my ETRSi and this history was been a lot of fun. The photography work is really different.
- Inca Kola business case study. I got hooked on Inca Kola as a missionary in Peru and even found a local market that sells it close to my home. If you see it, do yourself a favor and try it out.
- A profile of Robert Caro. I’ve yet to read his books, but his name looms large. This profile is pretty fascinating and really demonstrate his steady determination.
- Doom Scrolling by Justin Germain. A fascinating look into the texts that undergird our history and civilization and how fragmentary they really are. Plus excitement for what things like the Vesuvius Challenge might bring.
- Fascinating historical record of a moment when a young Steve Jobs is in the midst of the personal computing revolution.
- A beautiful type specimen for Roslindale.
- After Severance’s humdinger of a finale, this personal Macrodata Refinement station looks pretty great.
- This WWII B-17 Gunner training film has some amazing visualizations that are compelling 8 decades later.