Beware of the Chaotic Clown
How doing nothing saved one man's life. And: What we know about the climate, our future and our options. (#482)
Welcome to my little corner of the web. This is one of those issues where after compiling all 5 recommendations, I notice something peculiar about the selection.
There's Hitler and looming climate catastrophe, and the (unrelated) case for doing nothing more often. Then there's Putin and the difficulty of doing something. And finally, the stories of people who did nothing when there was good reason to do something.
Quite something, this week's recommendations. Enjoy!
1. The Forgotten History of Hitler’s Establishment Enablers
A chilling read. It's an essay based on a new book that the author describes as «an aggressively specific chronicle of a single year, 1932». Zooming all the way in, that chronicle tells the story of «how a country with a functional, if flawed, democratic machinery handed absolute power over to someone who could never claim a majority in an actual election and whom the entire conservative political class regarded as a chaotic clown with a violent following.»
2. Do Nothing, Then Do Less
How doing nothing saved one man's life. Why goalkeepers look bad doing nothing even when it's statistically the best choice. And why our brains always look for solutions by adding things, even when it's obvious that we should remove something. Great podcast episode.
3. IPCC Explainer: Climate change synthesis report
What we know about the climate, our future and our options. An explainer in the form of one looooooooooong infographic, and it's excellent. Because it masterfully guides the viewer and thus is able to go into details without ever being overwhelming.
4. Has Putin’s Invasion of Ukraine Improved His Standing in Russia?
«The continued stability of Putin’s rule rests not on his popularity but, rather, on the lack of mechanisms people have to act on their malaise, discontent, and frustrations.» Insightful read.
5. Unprepared for What Has Already Happened
«We’re not yet ready for what’s already happened» is the title of an excellent essay that I'm reminded of more often than I'd like (and it's one of less than a handful links that I've shared more than once in the history of the Weekly Filet). This latest episode from This American Life takes it from the societal to the personal, and tells the stories of people trying to make sense of a sudden change that has already happened.
What else?
Instant-gratification links that make you go wow! or aha! the moment you click.
- Cherry blossom valley, wow.
- Library of Short Stories: a free online library for reading and downloading public domain short stories.
- Charlie Brooker called, he wants his dystopia back: Immortalize yourself!
- Can you guess it? What city is farthest from the city you live in?
Books for curious minds: Sum
40 clever, funny, thought-provoking short stories on what life after death could look like. Loved the breadth of imagination.
In every issue, I recommend one book. Some new ones as I read them, some older ones that continue to inform how I look at the world and myself.
A gem from the archive
85 minutes of live music from one of today’s most touching musicians, singer/songwriter Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver.
Robin Hilton
This is a randomly picked gem from the archive of the Weekly Filet, going back to 2011. For manually curated time-tested treasures, have a look at my other newsletter This Aged Well.
Thanks for reading. I wish you a nice weekend and hope to see you again next Friday!
— David 👋