Bummer Times

"While everybody tries to be as close as possible to the rest, everybody remains utterly alone, pervaded by the deep sense of insecurity, anxiety and guilt which always results when human separateness cannot be overcome. Our civilization offers many palliatives which help people to be consciously unaware of this aloneness: first of all the strict routine of bureaucratized, mechanical work, which helps people to remain unaware of their must fundamental human desires, of the longing for transcendence and unity." - Erich Fromm in The Art of Loving

Drink Deep It's Just a Taste

stills from Valerie and her Week of Wonders

Cats in a Bowl

Span No Attention Span

There have been a lot of articles recently on distraction, attention, and self-control; all of which I think are highly linked at this intrinsic level. I think they are all worth a read, and you may find the links below.

The Brain Gain: The underground world of “neuroenhancing” drugs by Margaret Talbot

In Defense of Distraction:
Twitter, Adderall, lifehacking, mindful jogging, power browsing, Obama’s BlackBerry, and the benefits of overstimulation by Sam Anderson

Don't! The secret of self-control by Jonah Lehrer

I think this is one of very few subjects I feel I have a pretty solid opinion on, one that is not necessarily widely shared by the public. I suppose I stick with "everything is okay in moderation" when it comes to being distracted, paying attention, and exercising self-control. A constant balancing act, you could say.

New York + Weather

Favorite New York Quotes, Volume XII

"new york city's demeanor as a whole just gets better when the weather does. i like it."

Pete Wentz, on his Twitter

What Makes Someone a New Yorker?

Favorite New York Quotes, Volume XI

Q. What makes someone a New Yorker?
A. The feeling that you couldn’t live anywhere else.

Janeane Garofalo for New York Magazine's 21 Questions

Cute

"But what about those features –the peacock’s tail, the elk’s antlers, the fantastic colorings and intricate scales of tropical fish—which seemed merely ornamental? They were there not to help a creature make a living but to help him get a mate. The male peacock has time to grow his tail, and the female peacock time to look at it and say, Cute.”

"The Fifth Blade" by Adam Gopnik

Just Tryin' Ta Live

I'm a ?

Look, I like "I'm a Flirt" by R. Kelly, but I'd really like to know when he is going to write "I'm a Catch." I feel like I'd relate to that one more. Maybe it can just be the remix?

Suck It Up, NLS

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*Thanks Jessica