Listen to this even if you don’t think you care about the Russian military
The Deserter is a masterpiece! A beautiful example of writing for audio, audio production and performance.
Annie Bell
On retribution
The new episode of “This American Life” centers around Trump’s tendency to strike back against anybody who crosses him. It’s thoughtful and packs a punch.
Holds up after 12 years (not to mention 50)
Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, along with Jason Bonham and a choir, play Stairway to Heaven for Led Zeppelin.
Sisters in Law don’t shy away from serious words about locking up Trump
On their latest episode, published April 20, the #SistersInLaw podcast hosts go into some detail about the usual punishment for violating gag orders — actually putting the guy behind bars.
Reepeetoot ah ….
Has Trump introduced background music to his rally speeches just recently? I think so. At least in this clip the music makes him go all lyrical, kind of dreamy. The more I listened, I began to hear something like a song in it.
Fiction writers should be hired as strategy consultants by the government
Government has no imagination, and not just about AI. Could 911 have been prevented if the national security establishment had hired a roomful of sci-fi novelists to spitball potential novel terror threats?
Practically perfect in every way
“I’m Just Ken,” performed by Ryan Gosling, Mark Ronson, Slash and The Kens, at the 96th Oscars March 10, 2024.
Trumpfic: Hyphen
In the first of an aspirational series of short stories about Donald Trump, a White House communications aide sneers at Trump’s punctuation. He and his girlfriend try to understand why MAGAheads resent elites, and find they are playing out the answer even as they talk about it.
Audible Originals adaptation of David Copperfield
Thoughts and questions about this audio drama, and the form in general.
No lighter penalty than the cutting off of his tongue
If Trump can’t be made to pay a lot, or keeps redefaming E Jean Caroll, history and fiction provide suggestions for other punishments