Chris Lott @fncll@social.coop

I’ve done well mostly staying away from social media and limiting to a few news sources. Now I am staying away from all of them. I made my prediction in August and nothing since has made me change my mind. I’ve rarely hoped harder to be wrong. See you on the other side.

The lack of what should be a 3rd grade understanding of arithmetic and probability by the great majority of Americans shouldn’t be astounding. Yet, another election season and I am again gobsmacked.

It’s not “bichronous” (yuck; make it stop!) learning. If you have required synchronous sessions, it’s synchronous learning. “Bichronous” (which is etymologically confused) is a coinage in search of a need, or publication pages, to fill.

Sad news about Keith Jarrett. He gave us more than a lifetime’s music already, but I’m greedy (and he could probably create new wonders with just one hand)! https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/21/arts/music/keith-jarrett-piano.html

This would only be a surprise to the people who need to read it but never will. https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/521875-democrat-run-cities-fuel-the-economy-keep-many-red-states-afloat

If I thought reason had a place at the table today, I’d say this tremendous visualization, running at high speed, should be everywhere: Covid Cases by State Partisanship https://www.inoreader.com/article/3a9c6e7bac28f68a-visualizing-covid-19-cases-by-state-partisanship

I won’t watch the debate, but before I inadvertently read anything about it, I predict: Pence will calmly & condescendingly tell lies and gaslight (aka business as usual) Kamala, who (as a black woman) has to walk a tightwire to not appear “emotional,” “shrill,” or combative.

Louise Glück wins the Nobel Prize for Literature! I’m flabbergasted (in a good way). Wow.

Bat -> Human -> Stephen Miller … I didn’t know a virus could jump from mammal to insect.

RIP Eddie Van Halen. High in the pantheon of those who changed the art of guitar playing forever. So inventive. Instantly recognizable. I could never play 95% of his guitar parts but I know them all by heart. 2020 sucks.

Kind of hard to focus on anything while the world crumbles. What a farce this all is.

I understand why the online groups I enjoy most are on Facebook—and have no hope they will move—but Facebooks tactics of engagement (and anemic platform) are made crystal clear when one tries to productively use groups while avoiding all the rest.

How can Twitter become a better platform if it’s going to ban hopes and dreams?

#QAnon believers are occupying all the top spots in the race to peak stupidity. What a trainwreck. #ProudBoysUSA aren’t far behind, but they are slowed by the incessant need to gear up in hopes of hiding their micropenii.

Or does this open the door to the equally terrifying prospect of Pence as our new theocratic leader? And what does this mean as far as electoral law if Trump died. Does Pence actually have a way to legally stand over Trump’s dead body?

Given the odds, Trump will recover (if he’s actually contracted the virus at all and this isn’t simple cowardice). Does the then claim that coronavirus is no big deal? It would make perfect sense despite 200,000 dead, given his derangement.

📚 Finished The New Wilderness (Diane Cook): a literary take on a climate dystopia whose strength—family, literal & metaphorical—is as compelling as the pacing & believability of their daily lives is weak. But the neurodivergent daughter’s perspective makes it Booker-worthy.

You know who you can be sure isn’t a provocative truth teller? Anyone who labels themselves a provocative truth teller.

I now own (and wear!) three baseball style caps. That is exactly three more than I ever thought I would. Thanks, Covid.

The real debate mystery: how can Trump simultaneously talk and interrupt so much while never seeming to physically close his sphinctery mouth?