Ashley Vaught | Erstwhile Flâneur, Philosopher

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.

2020-01-21
Idle Reflections

200114: the prejudice of historical progress

some of the prejudices of historical progress | a prejudice that is unavoidable but pernicious

2020-01-14
On Ideas, Concepts, Intuitions

200111: Reading Journal

Reading journal from early in the year 2020, when COVID was hitting China but just a dirty word in the mouth of an imbecile

2020-01-11
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

200107: Reading Journal

The January 2010 reading journal addresses In the Heart of the Heart of the Country, Our Idiot Brother, Filmed Thought, and Jamaica Inn

2020-01-08
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

Reading the News? 3 Reasons to Stop

Civic responsibility entails reading the news regularly, to keep abreast of the world’s turnings. But does this practice actually improve us as persons?

2020-01-05
Faves On Ideas, Concepts, Intuitions

Does Philosophy Do Film?

“Clearly you are not a bowler”: Can film do philosophy? Can philosophy do film?

2019-12-31
On Ideas, Concepts, Intuitions On Film, Movies, Cinema Reading Journal

Only Boredom Can Save Photography Now

Photography is under siege by the smartphone, the device that has made everyone a photographer while equally rendering all unable to appreciate images.