ON ANGULAR SAND
SAUDI ARABIA HAS A WEALTH OF OIL, BUT its sand may be less valuable than Greenland’s. I come by this tidbit from an odd source: a lengthly response in the … Continue reading
DO PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD—FOR SOCIETAL AWARENESS
“FEARLESS. IRONIC. SUPERCOOL. BORDERLINE ESOTERIC. BRILLIANTLY OBSERVED. It is difficult to encapsulate provocateurs Martin Hablesreiter and Sonja Stummerer.” This, from their YouTube intro. “The couple,” it recounts, “were practising architects … Continue reading
THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS MATTER PART 2
YESTERDAY BEGAN THIS ANALYSIS of Trump’s firings at the Library of Congress. Today in Part 2, George Saunders continues his New York Times Guest Essay “Shame on the White House.” … Continue reading
THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS MATTER PART 1
I HAD INTENDED TO BEGIN THIS WITH “You Jackass! It’s the Library of Congress—not of the Executive Branch.” Upon researching the matter, though, I found that indeed the President likely … Continue reading
KAWARA’S CARD GAME IS GOOD FUN, AND NEIGHBORLY
“ ‘IT FEELS GREAT WHEN YOU WIN, but it’s even more fun when you use a card featuring someone you actually know,’ says 12-year-old Sasuke, who plays about three times … Continue reading
ORSON WELLES ON DIRECTING PART 2
YESTERDAY, PART 1 SET THE STAGE for Orson Welles sharing his views on directing. Here in Part 2, he shares some history, more than a few opinions, and many insights … Continue reading
ORSON WELLES ON DIRECTING PART 1
LAST TUESDAY, MAY 6, WAS ORSON WELLES’ BIRTHDAY. A capsule retrospective on Sirius “Radio Classics” encouraged me to learn more about this genius of theater, radio, and film. Of special … Continue reading
ALAS, KISS OFF VOICE OF AMERICA
WE COULD HAVE SEEN THIS COMING: David Folkenflik reports in NPR, May 7, 2025, “Kari Lake Says OAN‘s Far-Right Coverage Will Fuel Voice of America.” What’s worse, see below for … Continue reading
A.I. HALLUCINATIONS ON THE RISE
I KINDA SAW THIS COMING with Google searches occasionally offering corrupted versions of SimanaitisSays comments: “Dennis Simanaitis says Benito Mussolini and Ercole Boratto won the 1936 Mille Miglia,” or some … Continue reading
AIN’T SHE A REAL MOTHER?
THERE ARE TIMES THAT MOTHER NATURE displays a perverse sense of irony. Take Eriodictyon parryi, the poodle-dog bush. Then again, NO! DON’T TOUCH! A poodle-dog bush flower cluster, the aroma … Continue reading
Simanaitis Says 