Such a delightful, educational and wide-ranging read this morning. Thank you, along with a mug of strong coffee, for enlivening me before I tackle the rest of the horrible news this morning.
Interesting re: poverty in the US, but not surprising. I'm skeptical that even if the US followed the policies of other high income countries with lower intergenerational rates that we would see much change. Poverty in the US is very strategically racialized and is a core feature of our version of capitalism. And thanks for the peacock spider dance!
I certainly agree, but interestingly, the research actually tests a series of hypotheses around race and neighborhood effects and finds that even though those certainly matter, the effects of tax policy and social safety net policy are even bigger.
Pleasure watching the peacock spider. Thanks for all the interesting content. This morning it is with a feeling of discomfort as we all think about how Trump and his rude cohorts treated President Zelenskyy yesterday. It’s disgusting and disgraceful and I simply hate what is happening. The US may never recover.
Yes, I deliberately didn’t send something about that this morning. I would have said all the obvious things - it’s terrible, disgraceful, but unsurprising. That’s out there. Sometimes, we all need to balance it with other curiosities, not in place of outrage, but to make the outrage more sustainable.
*no reply needed.* brian, i bet you know this (yet another) savant-detective series, "professor t" it's on pbs in usa. ben miller really good comedic actor, i think.
btw, on subject of all the myriad "cop" law n' order shows so prevalent since the the gutenberg press for crissakes, is they are a form of mass-media thought/behavior control meant to maintain rule-of-law. i don't think it's deep state or anything conspiratorial, like that (i don't think?) in usa, but maybe that messaging just kind of "evolved" in popular media thru the centuries. evolved organically somehow, in a democracy form of government/culture. the message pounded into us is hey, you break the law, you will pay. the ol' crime doesn't pay maxim. lastly, i can't believe bezos owns bond. and mgm. let's see what befalls next 007. no need reply all this. keep going. luv that pic of you on the dive trip. ur fan, j.
more on pet theory about cop shows...well, crime *does* pay for the ultra rich. and int'l crime syndicates. it does pay. so i'm talking about the masses. us. no secret, the rich get away with crime. look at maga right now, as an example. i hope fed courts hold til it's over. oh, and watch new netflix "the residence". i bet you have. it's clever anti-maga savant-detective fun.
*and this rich word for the detective's ultimate reveal is so delicious:*
The dénouement (pronounced /deɪnuːˈmɑ̃ː/, /deɪˈnuːmɒn/, or US /deɪːnuˈmɑ̃ː/; French: [denuˈmɑ̃]) comprises events from the end of the falling action to the actual ending scene of the drama or narrative. wikipedia
I always smile when I see Brain Food in my inbox, even if I’m a little behind on my reading it. Where else could I read about such a variety of things which include dating tips from spiders (but run if she doesn’t like the dance) and testing feces knives? Brilliant!
The poop tool story was introduced by Peter Freuchen, a famous Danish Arctic explorer and adventurer. He was caught under his sleigh with a lot of snow on top, and had no tools to get out. Until...
Freuchen was not too obsessed with strict truth, if it would block the entertainment value of a story. But he was an amazing man, with a wooden leg, he was a giant, and won the big US quiz show in the 50s, what was the name of it? I believe it was for $64,000... and there is a famous picture of him with his inuit wife, where he looks at the camera and smiles, while she looks at the people in the room... it shows how he is aware of the power of the media, while she has other values.
He really is fascinating... if anyone feels to go down a rabbit hole.
Thanks for the spider dance, it cheered up my midnight :-)
!! From my lab in Toronto, I’m chiseling feces to see if it would pierce the heart of a chubby golfer. Much softer than seal! Can be easily hidden (where it came from) to evade weapon detection.
Timely post. You may find this hard to believe but today I was imagining an unlikely coupling to include in a chapter in which a fellow named Spider urges the two of them on, and this video offers perfect dance claps and steps my human-like character can mimic. You also blessed me with some much needed laughter.
Fantastic way to start my day! Readers, if you do nothing else today, watch the dancing Peacock spiders!
Marvellous! Thank you, Brian. Both for the great film recommendation and for the excellent pieces. All the best, John.
Thank you!
Such a delightful, educational and wide-ranging read this morning. Thank you, along with a mug of strong coffee, for enlivening me before I tackle the rest of the horrible news this morning.
Interesting re: poverty in the US, but not surprising. I'm skeptical that even if the US followed the policies of other high income countries with lower intergenerational rates that we would see much change. Poverty in the US is very strategically racialized and is a core feature of our version of capitalism. And thanks for the peacock spider dance!
I certainly agree, but interestingly, the research actually tests a series of hypotheses around race and neighborhood effects and finds that even though those certainly matter, the effects of tax policy and social safety net policy are even bigger.
But perhaps that's why we have those tax and safety net policies? This is our problem: everyone loses to ensure that someone loses...
Just too funny. I needed a good laugh and fabulous information. Thank you, thank you, thank you
Pleasure watching the peacock spider. Thanks for all the interesting content. This morning it is with a feeling of discomfort as we all think about how Trump and his rude cohorts treated President Zelenskyy yesterday. It’s disgusting and disgraceful and I simply hate what is happening. The US may never recover.
Yes, I deliberately didn’t send something about that this morning. I would have said all the obvious things - it’s terrible, disgraceful, but unsurprising. That’s out there. Sometimes, we all need to balance it with other curiosities, not in place of outrage, but to make the outrage more sustainable.
Ah Brian! You’re such a mensch!!! Thank you! And pats to Zorro!!!
Thanks, Brian. I love your episodic brain food, especially the whimsy.
You’ve done it again! Thank you for the so welcome wonderful rabbit holes to escape into! Seriously, many thanks.
march 20, 2025. hooray! <crowd roaring!> brian, icymi-ludwig has arrived in usa on britbox. david m. perfect! so glad you told me about him.
Enjoy! It’s a great show.
*no reply needed.* brian, i bet you know this (yet another) savant-detective series, "professor t" it's on pbs in usa. ben miller really good comedic actor, i think.
btw, on subject of all the myriad "cop" law n' order shows so prevalent since the the gutenberg press for crissakes, is they are a form of mass-media thought/behavior control meant to maintain rule-of-law. i don't think it's deep state or anything conspiratorial, like that (i don't think?) in usa, but maybe that messaging just kind of "evolved" in popular media thru the centuries. evolved organically somehow, in a democracy form of government/culture. the message pounded into us is hey, you break the law, you will pay. the ol' crime doesn't pay maxim. lastly, i can't believe bezos owns bond. and mgm. let's see what befalls next 007. no need reply all this. keep going. luv that pic of you on the dive trip. ur fan, j.
more on pet theory about cop shows...well, crime *does* pay for the ultra rich. and int'l crime syndicates. it does pay. so i'm talking about the masses. us. no secret, the rich get away with crime. look at maga right now, as an example. i hope fed courts hold til it's over. oh, and watch new netflix "the residence". i bet you have. it's clever anti-maga savant-detective fun.
*and this rich word for the detective's ultimate reveal is so delicious:*
The dénouement (pronounced /deɪnuːˈmɑ̃ː/, /deɪˈnuːmɒn/, or US /deɪːnuˈmɑ̃ː/; French: [denuˈmɑ̃]) comprises events from the end of the falling action to the actual ending scene of the drama or narrative. wikipedia
I always smile when I see Brain Food in my inbox, even if I’m a little behind on my reading it. Where else could I read about such a variety of things which include dating tips from spiders (but run if she doesn’t like the dance) and testing feces knives? Brilliant!
Thank you. As current American politics depress both my children, I have been sending them messages titled "Mood Lighener". You just sent me one.
The poop tool story was introduced by Peter Freuchen, a famous Danish Arctic explorer and adventurer. He was caught under his sleigh with a lot of snow on top, and had no tools to get out. Until...
Freuchen was not too obsessed with strict truth, if it would block the entertainment value of a story. But he was an amazing man, with a wooden leg, he was a giant, and won the big US quiz show in the 50s, what was the name of it? I believe it was for $64,000... and there is a famous picture of him with his inuit wife, where he looks at the camera and smiles, while she looks at the people in the room... it shows how he is aware of the power of the media, while she has other values.
He really is fascinating... if anyone feels to go down a rabbit hole.
Thanks for the spider dance, it cheered up my midnight :-)
!! From my lab in Toronto, I’m chiseling feces to see if it would pierce the heart of a chubby golfer. Much softer than seal! Can be easily hidden (where it came from) to evade weapon detection.
Timely post. You may find this hard to believe but today I was imagining an unlikely coupling to include in a chapter in which a fellow named Spider urges the two of them on, and this video offers perfect dance claps and steps my human-like character can mimic. You also blessed me with some much needed laughter.
Sans paroles—avec paroles