On my first morning at Laity, I always walk to Blue Hole. But it’s 39Β° this morning so I don’t think I’ll take a swim.

In these circumstances, a reminder: You don’t have to go there. You don’t have to do any of that crap. Life is better outside.

IMO, what this story points to is the difference between people who want to listen to sound systems and people who just want to listen to music. I’m in the latter camp. I like having a good system but I’m not going to let that interfere with the music.

β€œWell, we’re the Satanic Temple, not the Church of Satan, because they’re awful.” From a terrific essay by Matt Milliner, mainly about Vladimir Putin.

Les Murray:

Nothing a mob does is clean,

not at first, not when slowed to a media,
not when police.

WSJ on the Metaverse: “Among the persistent complaints from early adopters and testers, according to the documents, are that users have trouble adjusting to the technology, and that other users behave badly.” Human beings: the bug in every system.

β™« Currently listening: Hermanos GutiΓ©rrez, El Bueno Y El Malo

β™« Waxahatchee’s Saint Cloud was my faithful companion on my recent road trip. What an outstanding record. And two of the bonus tracks, “Fruits of My Labor” and “Streets of Philadelphia,” are amazing.

Darwin NuΓ±ez on for Liverpool. Bringing Darwin on is a … natural selection. #thankyouvurrymuch

Did I write this solely in order to use that title? You may well think so, but I couldn’t possibly comment.