“You develop an instant global consciousness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction (more…)
1/4 Million Miles
Blog
I for one Welcome Our Algorithmic Overlords
Not too long ago, before image macros and reaction videos roamed the planet, human beings created mix-tapes to express complicated feelings or share their favorite songs with family and friends. These custom compilations of songs were recorded on primitive storage media called “cassettes”, small plastic shells filled with two spools of magnetic thread constantly on the… Continue reading
Über die Prosa Joseph Roths
Es gibt zu viele Bücher in dieser Welt, und manchmal geht man blind an den besten vorbei, ohne den blassesten Schimmer, was einem entgeht. Und bei all dem grellen Gewimmel der Bestsellerlisten und häufig enttäuschenden Neuerscheinungen ist es vielleicht sinnvoll, beizeiten innezuhalten, einen Blick zurück zu wagen und alte Klassiker für unsere Zeit neu zu entdecken. Joseph Roths… Continue reading
Vom Überglaube an das Wissen und der Wiederkehr des Mythos
Wir befinden uns in einer Zeit, in der wir jeglicher Form von Wissen einen hohen Stellenwert beimessen — ob es sich dabei um sogenanntes “Grundwissen”, “Allgemeinwissen” oder “Fachwissen” handelt. Wir alle wissen (oder meinen zumindest zu wissen), dass man es ohne ein Mindestmaß dessen zu nichts bringe in dieser Welt. Vorschulkinder werden deshalb frühzeitig in… Continue reading
Do You Want Fries With That?
“Modern English is the Wal-Mart of languages: convenient, huge, hard to avoid, superficially friendly, and devouring all rivals in its eagerness to expand.”
Mark Abley
When Physical Objects Become Virtual Reality
I still remember the time I first laid eyes on the paperback edition of one of my books which had previously only existed as a digital edition. It was as if this book had finally become “real”, transplanted from the evanescent stream of on-screen appearances to an irrevocable manifestation in my own hands. Somehow, now that it was taking up… Continue reading
The Big Catch
I saw two cats today, sprawled out in the middle of the sidewalk, lazily pawing away at something. When I came closer I saw that they had gotten hold of a huge chameleon, unmoving now except for its jiggly neck. The cats themselves were barely larger than their pop-eyed reptilian prey, its scales strangely dull… Continue reading
On The Life of Things
As human beings, we live in a world of things. There are small ones, big ones, raggedy, round and shiny things all around us. Some of these things are made in factories, others are made by hand. Some are complex, others seemingly simple. Some are expensive, others are cheap. Some are revered, others just lie… Continue reading
Faces of Haifa
HaNevi’im Street / St. Elias Carmelite Church / The Great Mosque
The Science Of Sleep
“Sleep is magically efficacious at smoothing out the tangles of the day, and a shortage makes one agitated to the point of lunacy.”
Olivia Laing, The Trip to Echo Spring