If you want to see Google’s AI totally lose it, ask it to give you cryptic crossword clues.
Derek Miller
@visualizingbroadway.com
Theater historian. Little League coach. Cruciverbalist. American citizen opposed to tyranny.
No shit, Tim. Some of us understood this the minute we heard about the first strike. (And: even if they were narcotraffickers, summary execution is murder.) This is why I've fucking had it with the Democratic Party.
CNN@cnn.com · 2d agoThe US military’s strikes on alleged drug boats have likely illegally killed “individuals who are not involved in narcotrafficking,” Sen. Tim Kaine told the White House, following “a careful review” of classified information he has seen so far.
Remember that Atlantic article on the End of Reading from 2,000 news cycles ago? I have thoughts. Hot off the press!
The End of Reading is Not Here
Contrary to a recent article in The Atlantic, reading and writing isn't coming to an end. But it is changing—and we should think hard about those changes because they're going to affect everything.
open.substack.com
Remember that Atlantic article on the End of Reading from 2,000 news cycles ago? I have thoughts. Hot off the press!
The End of Reading is Not Here
Contrary to a recent article in The Atlantic, reading and writing isn't coming to an end. But it is changing—and we should think hard about those changes because they're going to affect everything.
open.substack.com
No, reading isn't over. But we do need to rethink literacy. My response to Rose Horowitch.
The End of Reading is Not Here
Contrary to a recent article in The Atlantic, reading and writing isn't coming to an end. But it is changing—and we should think hard about those changes because they're going to affect everything.
open.substack.com
Really thoughtful piece, highly recommend.
Derek Miller@visualizingbroadway.com · 3w agoSome thoughts after seeing Birthright by Jonathan Spector at MCC.
No, reading isn't over. But we do need to rethink literacy. My response to Rose Horowitch.
The End of Reading is Not Here
Contrary to a recent article in The Atlantic, reading and writing isn't coming to an end. But it is changing—and we should think hard about those changes because they're going to affect everything.
open.substack.com
Folks, British intellectual exchanges are renowned for their asperity.
The self-destruction of America. fortune.com/2026/07/26/g...
Gambling becomes America's favorite pastime as Americans spend more on sports bets than movies, arts, museums, and music combined | Fortune
Americans wagered $166 billion on sports last year, more than Hollywood, the music industry, books, and museums combined.
fortune.com
So @mcopelov.bsky.social posted some comparative data on trust in institutions and there were complaints about not using the same year as baseline. So let's do that. 1/
The assignment hasn't changed. Yale, you can't make a deal with these people. Don't do it.
@stevelevitsky.bsky.social · last wk.With Ryan Enos. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/07/27/o...
Gonna have to punish a lot of people when this is over. Gonna have to forgive a lot of people when this is over. Let's talk about it.
Accountability and Forgiveness
Once the fascists have been defeated, we need to hold people accountable—and learn when and how to forgive them.
open.substack.com
Gonna have to punish a lot of people when this is over. Gonna have to forgive a lot of people when this is over. Let's talk about it.
Accountability and Forgiveness
Once the fascists have been defeated, we need to hold people accountable—and learn when and how to forgive them.
open.substack.com
Strong case for Wallace Shawn's The Fever as a key play for this moment.
Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · 2w agoNewsmax host pines for McCarthyism: "Do people forget what it was like under the Red Scare in the early '50s? My goodness, if they even thought you were a communist sympathizer, you would be fired from your job. You couldn't even have any communist ideas. And now it's almost become popular!"
A few minor thoughts for this week, including brief comments on Nolan's Odyssey.
Miscellany (July 2026)
Miscellaneous comments on gods and angels.
open.substack.com
A few minor thoughts for this week, including brief comments on Nolan's Odyssey.
Miscellany (July 2026)
Miscellaneous comments on gods and angels.
open.substack.com
Some thoughts after seeing Birthright by Jonathan Spector at MCC.
Birthright and Jewish Identity
Some personal reactions to Jonathan Spector's play at MCC.
open.substack.com
Some thoughts after seeing Birthright by Jonathan Spector at MCC.
Birthright and Jewish Identity
Some personal reactions to Jonathan Spector's play at MCC.
open.substack.com
Let's replace the Supreme Court justices with the real constituents of our polity: the people.
Derek Miller@visualizingbroadway.com · 4w agoSupreme Court reform is essential. What if we tried something truly different?
Supreme Court reform is essential. What if we tried something truly different?
Constitutional Juries
You cannot resolve constitutional questions without the authority of the constituting power, to wit, the people.
open.substack.com
Supreme Court reform is essential. What if we tried something truly different?
Constitutional Juries
You cannot resolve constitutional questions without the authority of the constituting power, to wit, the people.
open.substack.com
This guy is such a fucking liar. It's a disgrace that Harvard honored him with a fellowship.
We Need to Talk About Kevin
Kevin McCarthy to the Harvard Institute of Politics? I have thoughts about that in The Harvard Crimson.
open.substack.com
Acyn@acyn.bsky.social · 4w agoKevin McCarthy on Platner Allegations: That one thing I know about Republicans is when we had a very bad candidate, we didn't vote for that person. We walked away.
Some thoughts on the new Spielberg film, which I liked.
Looking with Spielberg
What Disclosure Day teaches us about visual culture.
open.substack.com
Some thoughts on the new Spielberg film, which I liked.
Looking with Spielberg
What Disclosure Day teaches us about visual culture.
open.substack.com
I try to imagine having this little self-respect, but, I confess, I can't wrap my head around it.
Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · last mo.BURGUM: The reflecting pool has been a big success STEPHANOPOULOS: You say it's been a success, but the pool is gonna be drained this week, isn't it? BURGUM: Even though there was damage done by vandals, 99.99% of the pool bottom is perfect
I thought Disclosure Day was kind of terrific. If you're on the fence, go see it this weekend.
Ugh. So good. Thank you as ever, @davidjroth.bsky.social!
Dead Country Fair | Defector
Things come out of Donald Trump’s mouth, then just keep on coming out of it. If he says something once, he will say it again, primarily to reinforce how powerfully and unprecedentedly successful he wa...
defector.com
