Plague Poems – The Seventieth Week
At long last it is time to admit it: the alarmists were right to be so alarmed. * Death is inevitable so too are virusesbut that this virushas killed so … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Sixty-Ninth Week
We celebrate with the greatest intensity when we suspect that we have little cause to celebrate. * How very unfortunateare thosewho can act as thoughthis last yearnever happened. How very … Continue reading
Theses on Technological Pessimism
We fly over the mountains As though there was nothing to it Great are the works of humans! But bread for all? We can’t do it. Child, ask why Can … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Sixty-Eighth Week
You do not need to say that we are not ready for the challenges that await us for there is ample evidence that we are not ready for the challenges … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Sixty-Seventh Week
That things have improved does not mean that from this point forward they can only keep improving progress requires maintenance we worked to get here should we become idle we … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Sixty-Sixth Week
Stop being foolish things cannot go back to how they once were for you cannot now go back to confidently believing that your society is impervious to a pandemic. * … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Sixty-Fifth Week
When I speak to my friends in other countries about how I can now go about maskless and gather with others they look at me with envy. When I speak … Continue reading
Theses on Techno-Optimism
“If you fall in love with a machine there is something wrong with your love-life. If you worship a machine there is something wrong with your religion.” – Lewis Mumford … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Sixty-Fourth Week
We devotesingle daysto rememberingso that we can devotemost daysto forgetting. * Perhaps in some future yearwe shall commemorate the plague’s victimswith a weekend saleon tires and clothes. * I confessI … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Sixty-Third Week
My apologies I do not wish to ruin your week when it has only just begun but as you remove your mask and bask in the idea of a return … Continue reading
Burn it All – a Review of “Your Computer is on Fire”
It often feels as though contemporary discussions about computers have perfected the art of talking around, but not specifically about, computers. Almost every week there is a new story about … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Sixty-Second Week
So long as the plaguewas over therewe told ourselvesit would never bother usover here. And when the plaguewas over herewe told ourselvesit would not bother usfor long. So now that … Continue reading
Plague Poems – the Sixty-First Week
It is difficult to writewhen your handswill not stop shaking. * It is better to achefrom your second shotthan to shudderfrom contracting the virus. * At moments your bodyaching and … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Sixtieth Week
Were we asleepwe could be forgivenfor believing dreamsto be realityfor babbling nonsensefor the havoc causedby our snoring somnambulismsleepers cannot be blamedfor what they doalas we who are awakehave no excuse. … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Fifty-Ninth Week
Though the plague continueslife has returnedto normal(in very many places)for normalis the description we useto describe our worldwhen the crises that surround ushave ceased to be extraordinaryand have instead becomethe … Continue reading
They meant well (or, why it matters who gets to be seen as a “tech critic”)
“We need technology to live, as we need food to live. But, of course, if we eat too much food, or eat food that has no nutritional value, or eat … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Fifty-Eighth Week
Whenever I hear it saidthat the time has cometo take off our masks(at least when out of doors)I prepare myselffor the plague to continueeven longer. * Our impatiencein the springwill … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Fifty-Seventh Week
Begin every weekby telling yourselfthat perhapsnext weekwill mark the plague’s end. With such an attitudeyou can find the resolveto continue trudging aheaduntil you find yourselfat the start of next weekwhen … Continue reading
Plague Poems – the Fifty Sixth Week
The less we speak about the plaguethe more we sayabout the plague times. * Only a cynic refuses to be impressed by the well executed cleanup that occurs in the … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Fifty-Fifth Week
Forgive meI do not meanto ruin your weekwhen it has only justbegunbut you should knowthat the case number(yet again)are rising. * After more than a yearunhappily stuckinsidehow easy it isto … Continue reading
Progress for the status quo – on the Chamber of Progress
“There is no escaping from ourselves. The human dilemma is as it has always been, and we solve nothing fundamental by cloaking ourselves in technological glory.” – Neil Postman A … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Fifty-Fourth Week
That which makesthe tragedy unbearableis that the worldcarries on. That which makesthe tragedy bearableis that the world carries on. * Two signs hangin the shop’s windowthe first reads“mask required for … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Fifty-Third Week
Let not your excitementfor your impending vaccinationconvince youthat this avoidable tragedythat this historic failureshould in any waybe hailedas a success. * When first they told meto stay homeI was willing … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Fifty-Second Week
It is not that this week marks the anniversary of the plague but that this week marks the anniversary of our no longer being able to pretend that the plague … Continue reading
Broom-Scrolling? Assume-Scrolling? Bloom-Scrolling? – what comes after Doom-Scrolling?
“The true path is along a rope, not a rope suspended way up in the air, but rather only just over the ground. It seems more like a tripwire than … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Fifty-First Week
Though words of warning had been spoken they were said at a low volume you can be forgiven for failing to hear them over the loud assurances not to worry … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Fiftieth Week
Some outlets claim that half a million have died as of yesterday. Some outlets will claim that half a million have died by this day’s end. Some scholars quietly suspect … Continue reading
“into the lifeboats” – a review of Nomadland
“You could not have been born at a better period than the present, when we have lost everything.” – Simone Weil Having been forced to flee, a weary traveler returns … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Forty-Ninth Week
In the winter it becomes dry so very dry in my apartment the skin on my hands cracks my throat grows raspy every winter I intend to but forget to … Continue reading
Plague Poems – The Forty-Eighth Week
It is unwise to celebrate in the lifeboat mistake not your relief at being plucked from the waters with the safety of the shore you remain at sea and lifeboats … Continue reading
