Intro / Preface / Extra Words
We've got some sort of new technology now operating in the background that will make reading and responding to your replies to this newsletter not only possible but positively easy. And to those of you who have emailed us before it is probable that one of us read your response. But not assured. And for that we are sorry. Moving forward please shoot us your thoughts, disagreements, or lavish praise just by clicking that reply button.
As part of rolling out this new tech, a discussion between us has started about what the email address that you receive this newsletter from should actually be. Calvin is the OG founder and so it currently comes to you from [email protected] but most email clients should also pick up the meta text and display it as Calvin and Brian. You may see us change the actual email address sometime in the near future so if that happens don't be confused.
To that end we need your suggestions on what the email address should be. The @markasread.email part is locked. But the [email protected] can be anything. Since we both live(d) in Memphis we perhaps could adopt a Memphis flavor? The current leading candidate is Junt Yeeter Manes @markasread.email which is 100% going to confuse any non-Memphian and honestly most Memphians as well so probably we should keep exploring the space.
Tell us what you think it should be. If we pick yours we'll absolutely positively probably give you credit in a shout out in a future edition.
Truvia Crime
The big-eyed children
I had never heard of Walter Keane before, which I believe indicates the utility of the internet, while approaching zero, has not yet touched its inevitable asymptote.
All things being equal I prefer linking articles over twitter threads but in this case I'm going to give you both so you can choose your own adventure. Either one deftly captures the weirdness of this artist and the controversy around whether or not he was just faking being an artist all along. -B
Netflix recommended this movie to me relentlessly, but for some reason I was under the impression it was a documentary and wasn't interested. Anyone here watch it? -C
Substack has a comment section for their newsletters. Just putting that out there. Might be fun to have a comment section. -B
TravelMASity
Random Street View
Instead of staring at this very large United credit from our cancelled trip to the Iberian peninsula from the summer of 2020 I'm going to virtually stare at random scenes from all over the world that I can't travel to... wait this isn't making me feel better at all! But Bulgaria does look cool... -B
This is very similar to WindowSwap, which we featured way back in issue 57. Also worth a look if you missed it the first time. -C
2nd scuba diver sucked into FPL power plant pipe
The second scuba diver was sucked into the power plant? Maybe we should fix that somehow? (Also he survived and had a wild ride that made me shiver to read about.) -B
Sports (Disc Golf)
How Shot-Tracking Is Changing The Way Basketball Players Fix Their Game
Since this category has been renamed from Basketball to Disc Golf I now feel comfortable including basketball stories in it. -B
Oh, OK Brian. I can't believe the tool is called Noah, but I'm all for it. Now I suppose they just need to come out with the disc golf equivalent for putting, and call it Moses (BECAUSE BASKET BOOOOM) -C
Follytics
Afghanistan Meant Nothing. A Veteran Reflects on 20 Wasted Years
I have no take on Afghanistan except it is all terrible. I remember feeling strongly we were justified 20 years ago but today the calculus seems to only point towards the US affecting an increase in human suffering and misery and as I grow older I want that to override things like national pride and revenge.
However, I have been seeking out takes on the topic that I otherwise might not see due to tribal bubbles and media narratives. Without any sort of endorsement or rejection of these thoughts (because I'm a sandalwood scented coward who needs everyone to like me) I present to you two of these takes I find to be interesting perspectives. -B
Biden (and Trump) did the right thing on Afghanistan
Agreeing with Brian that all of this is horrible, I also agree with the overall decision to remove our country from this particular endeavor. I was too young when all this started to have any opinions at all, so this quick albeit opinionated summary was helpful for me.
Despite thinking it’s the right call to leave, I also feel very very sad thinking about the humans that trusted our country to help their country and are now being abandoned. If you’re a person that prays, dedicate some to those folks. -C
Sweet Meteor of Death 2020
Louis CK Everything Is Amazing And Nobody Is Happy
A classic! -B
OoOh are we allowed to like Louis CK again?! But also yes, agreed, so many things are actually awe-and-wonder-inspiring and if I just take a second, it's not so hard to appreciate. -C
My Carona
Serbian cave hermit gets Covid-19 vaccine, urges others to follow
This man needs a movie. I mean they just toss in details like "he worked as a labourer on the black market" and "Mr Petrovic built a pigeon loft" and somehow this article is about him deciding to snag a vaccine. -C
Further Reading
Who Do You Say That I Am?
We don't talk a lot about our faiths here despite how exposed we are in terms of what we value and how we try to approach the world around us. Regardless of where your heart is at I think this short article will resonate and provoke thoughts. Plus it has a picture of the "Buddy Christ" from Dogma, which I need to go back and watch again. -B
There’s Republican Jesus who is against tax increases and activists judges, and for family values and owning firearms.
There’s Democrat Jesus who is against Wall Street and Walmart, and for reducing our carbon footprint and spending other people’s money.
There’s Therapist Jesus who helps us cope with life’s problems, heals our past, tells us how valuable we are and not to be so hard on ourselves.
There’s Starbucks Jesus who drinks fair trade coffee, loves spiritual conversations, drives a hybrid and goes to film festivals.
There’s Open-minded Jesus who loves everyone all the time no matter what, except for people who are not as open-minded as you.
There’s Touchdown Jesus who helps athletes run faster and jump higher than non-Christians and determines the outcomes of Super Bowls.
There’s Martyr Jesus, a good man who died a cruel death so we can feel sorry for him.
There’s Gentle Jesus who was meek and mild, with high cheek bones, flowing hair, and walks around barefoot, wearing a sash and looks German.
There’s Hippie Jesus who teaches everyone to give peace a chance, imagine a world without religion, and helps us remember all you need is love.
There’s Yuppie Jesus who encourages us to reach our full potential, reach for the stars, and buy a boat.
There’s Spirituality Jesus who hates religion, churches, pastors, priests, and doctrine; he wants us to find the god within and listening to ambiguously spiritual musical.
There’s Platitude Jesus, good for Christmas specials, greeting cards, and bad sermons; he inspires people to believe in themselves, and lifts us up so we can walk on mountains.
There’s Revolutionary Jesus who teaches us to rebel against the status quo, stick it to the man, and dream up impossible utopian schemes.
There’s Guru Jesus, a wise, inspirational teacher who believes in you and helps you find your center.
There’s Boyfriend Jesus who wraps his arms around us as we sing about his intoxicating love in our secret place.
There’s Good Example Jesus who shows you how to help people, change the planet, and become a better you.