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In his late seventies he wrote a will stating that his life was not to be artificially prolonged. The hospital machinery he regarded as sophisticated instruments of torture, up to the standard of the Spanish Inquisition. He would have agreed with film director Luis Buñuel that "respect for human life becomes absurd when it leads to unlimited suffering, not only for the one who's dying but for those he leaves behind." He also understood, as had Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Dr. Benjamin Rush in 1811, that "there is a fullness of time when men should go, and not occupy too long the ground to which others have a right to advance."

Lewis Lapham passed away earlier this month. He was the former editor of Harper’s magazine, and then the Lapham Quarterly. Rereading his Memento Mori piece that was published in the Lapham Quarterly newsletter today reminded me of why I enjoyed his writing so much. Mixing the personal anecdotes with a wealth of historical references sent me down many rabbit holes when I read his editorials in the past. A quiet influencer on my own writing, I think.

Read more about him and his past work over at Lapham Quarterly.

My daughter is begging to go see $uicideboy$ with my girlfriend in Vancouver in August. She played one song and it reminded me of this great YouTube video from Vox’s Earworm series.

Been tinkering with the look of the website this afternoon, with some assistance from Claude. Feeling closer to how I would like the front page to look.

New nothing ear buds to replace my AirPods Gen 3. A special Father’s Day gift from my girlfriend. First listen, sounds amazing and comfortable.

The Local Project is an Australian YouTube channel showcasing unique homes with discussion from the key figures involved to explain the reasons behind each choice made in the design.

The latest home is one of my favourites.

Rewatching Severance with my girlfriend this week (she hasn’t seen it before). I think the second time through is even better than the first time. So, so good.

New season teaser is out too.

It's been just over two years since I last took a break from Twitter.

I decided to delete it this time. Re-read what I wrote, plus a nudge from my girlfriend. Time to focus my energies on more important things in life.

Lesson of the day, which is just starting, for me: if someone asks you to give 100% in a relationship, give more than what you think that means.

Especially true for men, I think.

I believe President Biden will announce he is withdrawing from the 2024 race imminently.

An interesting read from Scott Galloway who writes about the “male ego, family dynamics, and scenario planning” involved with the decision.

Time to Leave | No Mercy / No Malice
Not If, When I believe President Biden will announce he is withdrawing from the 2024 race imminently. Just as anybody who’s seen a commercial or a logo believes they’re an expert in advertising and design, I’ve convinced myself I have insights into the inner workings of the Beltway. I don’t. However, I do understand the […]

Today was spent updating Ghost, the blogging platform I use. Everything is done through the Linux terminal. I spent hours researching and troubleshooting why the blog engine wasn't starting. I almost gave up.

Turns out, it did start. I only needed to check with a web browser.

All we can hope for is that someone in a position of power — hopefully Joe Biden himself — is responsibly deliberating that matter right now. And that if he ultimately decides to stay in the race, he can demonstrate his health, vigor, and readiness.

No matter which it is, however, we should be under no illusions: if Biden steps down, either due to necessity or perceived expediency — it will be a Very Bad Thing. It will be an even bigger gift to Donald Trump that the current discourse. It may very well ensure that he wins the election


My thoughts have started leaning towards this line of thinking by Craig, writing at Cup of Coffee.


No easy decision to be made, and a similar choice will be made by Trudeau before the next election.

I wish I had the words to express how I'm feeling right now. Gutted comes to mind, but it doesn't feel sufficient.

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