I do wonder (especially after reading Dopamine Nation) if we are living in an age of widespread, low-key addiction. Do I think this because everyone tends to think their time is unique in some way—or are we really in the middle of a genuine crisis?

“Resist the enclosure of the human psyche.”

There are many powers in this world. Which ones am I feeding with my time, attention, money, energy?

Cheap man’s mocha: half a mug brewed coffee, half a mug milk (I used oatmilk), 1 tablespoon cocoa, 1 tablespoon sugar.

Jamie Dimon says AI will lead to shorter work weeks. We’ve heard this one before. Screw you, Jamie Dimon.

Ferdinand, IN

Claire Carlson, “Rural America Did not Push Donald Trump to Victory in 2024”:

This data speaks for itself: Trump won because Democratic turnout in the core counties of major cities crumbled. Yet the urban resentment toward rural America is back.

Also, see this.

This is an excellent, excellent post by Donny. The Jonah Goldberg piece he links to is also worth your time. What we need is some sympathetic imagination. Maybe it’s too soon to ask for it, but we’ll need to get around to it quickly. The lack of it is one of the sources of our present troubles.

I could go on a rant about these crap junction boxes, which we tried to work on at my mom’s house today. Suffice it to say that it’s yet another example of building with no regard to future repairability. It’s mind boggling, especially when a simple 2x4 instead of that metal bar would be far better.

Worth your time: An hourlong documentary covering four seasons in the life of a 76 year old horse logger. That channel has several good videos on traditional skills, if you have an interest in that.