Ashley Vaught | Erstwhile Flâneur, Philosopher

COVID Information Compulsion

Early in the 2020 COVID pandemic, we “hunkered down” with our phones and devices, pathologically seeking information to momentarily pacify our data-addled souls.

2020-03-22
On Ideas, Concepts, Intuitions

COVID Diary: Historical Ruptures

An elliptical reflection on the ruptures in time and history.

2020-03-19
On Ideas, Concepts, Intuitions

Sexy Idea #1: Rousseau’s Noble Savage

Some ideas are “sexy,” ahem, because they baffle the imagination and excite the intellect (or vice versa). Rousseau’s noble savage is a case in point.

2020-03-06
Faves On Ideas, Concepts, Intuitions

Consumption, February 2020

What I consumed during the month of February, in periodicals, novels, books, television shows, and films

2020-03-01
Monthly Reading, Viewing Report

Krasnahorkai’s “The Last Wolf”

A reading journal entry on Lázló Krasnahorkai’s “book” The Last Wolf, which is really two small books.

2020-02-26
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

If Birds are Dinosaurs

What are the consequences of the Overton Window in paleontology that dinosaurs precede the bird?

2020-02-13
On Ideas, Concepts, Intuitions

Captivating corruption: Single sentence exegesis

Single sentence exegesis.

2020-02-11
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

Consumption, January 2020

A record of all things read, watched, listened to, and other notable consumptions.

2020-02-04
Monthly Reading, Viewing Report

What Do Dinosaurs Mean?

On a thought provoking essay by Verlyn Klinkenborg on recent literature in paleontology.

2020-01-30
On Ideas, Concepts, Intuitions

Stop signs

A new, subtle form of resistance against aggressive drivers and today’s on-the-go lifestyles.

2020-01-28
On Ideas, Concepts, Intuitions

William H. Gass’ “In the Heart of the Heart of the Country”

Reflections on the short story collection In the Heart of the Heart of the Country by William H. Gass

2020-01-26
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

Impactful is not a word!

Grumpy old man weighs in on the frequently used term impactful, which he contends, contrary to overwhelming empirical evidence, is not a word. And honestly, he’s right.