Dec 31, 2012

bonne année

to celebrate the arbitrarily anthropocentric turning of the year, i brought bagels and bialys south from kossar's to DC, there to join with several interpretations of the meaning of lamb, a diversity of cookies, several pounds of coal country bacon, a bread pudding made with panettone, many tarts, and several beverages i have been wanting to try for some time.

among other things.

the dishwasher has already run five times, and the drinks cabinet is rich in high-proof possibility. good thing i packed my spare liver.

a happy new year to you, and you, and you, and you ...

Dec 27, 2012

problem-finding, problem-solving

I think our whole society is much too problem-solving oriented. It is far more interesting to [participate in] ‘problem creation’ … You know, ask yourself an interesting enough question and your attempt to find a tailor-made solution to that question will push you to a place where, pretty soon, you’ll find yourself all by your lonesome — which I think is a more interesting place to be.
right on; i think of it as problem-finding myself.

Dec 18, 2012

fruitcake



perhaps due to its emanations of tropical and spirituous vapours, this fruitcake-containing box was lavished with doggy affections by the pit bull downstairs while it lay on the front steps (all in the spirit of play of course). not every fruitcake that arrives in the mail is good but this one, from the bosky slopes of woodside, calif., is cause for great anticipation by man and beast alike.

[thx halsey]

Dec 14, 2012

resincloth hull


just lying around the media lab.

Dec 7, 2012

less is more





a chilly, grey-day visit to lafayette park.

Dec 6, 2012

negative capability

at once it struck me what quality went to form a man of achievement, especially in literature, and which Shakespeare possessed so enormously—I mean Negative Capability, that is when man is capable of being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts without any irritable reaching after fact and reason.

Dec 1, 2012

first principles

Before researchers become researchers they should become philosophers. They should consider what the human goal is, what it is that humanity should create ... Modern research divides nature into tiny pieces and conducts tests that conform neither with natural law nor with practical experiences. The results are arranged for the convenience of research, not according to the needs of the farmer. To think that these conclusions can be put to use with invariable success in the farmer's field is a big mistake.