Idle Thoughts

August 5, 2001. Seattle at Cleveland. A Personal History.

Sufjan Stevens reminds us to look in the mirror this Independence Day

Which Type Are You?

Because the Rule Impedes the Natural Flow of the Game

We should remember historical figures, not idolize them

The logic of policing has been laid bare, though the irony is lost on many.

A Little Less Celebration, a Little More (Direct) Action, Please

Anti-Mask Laws Should Be Permanently Repealed

Unity is not an end in itself—so what could “unity” entail in 2020?

Music to Mark a New Decade

Rolling Stone v. the Observer v. MacKaye

Blue Velvet, Roger Ebert, and breaking our moralysis

Someone, please help me understand.

On the perils of understanding originalism as a definition of “interpretation” rather than an interpretive norm.

From “I’m not even supposed to be here today” to “I’m calling out.”

What’s the most important thing in life? Necessity—the kind that slaps us across the back of the head when we’re in stasis.

Me and You, four years ago

It’s slightly more interesting than you might think

Sometimes writing about a movie and writing about yourself are the same thing

A lawyer that’s worthy of the title must be more than a technician or wizard, performing tricks and spells to benefit clients.

“We receive everything, both life and happiness; but the manner in which we receive, this is what is still ours.”

From werewolves to serial killers to ghosts to pure mayhem.

Because Howard Wasserman’s argument is specious