Reflections on a phenomena that’s unique to culture-war topics

Let me set the scene: we’re roughly twenty years into the Meiji-era and life has already forever changed to the point of being unrecognizable; the transition from a loose collection of feudal states into one unified empire...

Federico Perelmuter considers László Krasznahorkai’s “Herscht 07769,” translated by Ottilie Mulzet.

We are products with labels

Being courteous can be challenging in these fractious times, but politeness is much better for your well-being.

How did the internet disrupt 20th century timekeeping systems and spark an insurgence of alternative historical narratives? How do old media institutions try (and fail) to keep up with the narratives of online subcultures? How does the immediate accessibility of so many alt histories undermine our ability to create shared visions of the future? And how might a more ecological awareness of the internet help us adapt to our disorienting digital time machines? How did the internet disrupt 20th century timekeeping systems and spark an insurgence of alternative historical narratives? How do old media institutions try (and fail) to keep up with the narratives of online subcultures? How does the immediate accessibility of so many alt histories undermine our ability to create shared visions of the future? And how might a more ecological awareness of the internet help us adapt to our disorienting digital time machines?

What I found in the mire

It’s hard to write about this without sound pious, but probably the most elementary political ideal I have is that principle has to come before affiliation.

In which "good-looking" no longer cuts it.

There’s a vanity to even thinking there is a self to be found

Putting aside theoretical analysis (from my previous post, on how social networks are not communities) for a moment: on a practical, surface level, so much of what's ruined (most) social media for me comes down to the polarization problem...

A few nights ago a friend and I were talking about the moment when someone shows you their texts with their crush and asks you to analyze it with them, i.e. “Do you think that he/she likes me?” I always offer the best analysis I can because I believe it is a sacred duty to indulge your friends’ paranoia (and also I have so, so been there and appreciate people who’ve helped me neurotically analyze meaningless exchanges)...