Think of these ‘seasonal’ blog posts as something of a ‘blog within a blog.’ An easy-breezy way to add new content (on a variety of topics). These are subject to editing, right up to when the next new seasonal one begins.
(4) (Wednesday, July 15, 2026) The July 23, 2026 issue of The New York Review of Books, includes a review (“Space Oddity,” by Mark O’Connell) of Muskism: A Guide for the Perplexed (Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff are the authors). Musk is not a subject I particularly feel like reading up on. But I read parts of it. Including this (about Musk): “He speaks of ‘preserving the light of consciousness,’ a project that must be pursued by spreading that light throughout the solar system.” After reading that, I jotted down at the top of the page: Actually, it’s quite conceivable that consciousness will survive in this universe far past the point where our species has gone the way of the dodo. The real question might be how long does our universe have (before it too ultimately goes the way of the dodo)?
On a lighter note, also in this issue of the Review — on a page devoted to advertising books by independent publishers — I circled and jotted down “Grt IDEA for a book topic!” upon noticing a book titled: The Last Book . . . : Rebuilding Dialogue in a Divided Age. (Don’t ask me why it’s titled The Last Book — with an ellipsis — I just like its subtitle.) This is partially how the book is described: “This is a battle-field manual for how we find our way back to one anther.” Additionally, on page 4, featured in an ad paid for by Columbia University Press, there’s a book titled: The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization. A blurb attributed to Negotiation Journal states the book “has a lot of good ideas for improving interactions and relationships at the interpersonal level.”
I’m unfamiliar with these books, but they address an important and timely topic. E. O. Wilson considered tribalism one of the biggest stumbling blocks to progress. Imagine how different things might be today, if, for example, George Soros, had earmarked just a small portion of all that money he’s given away over the years to foster respectful dialogue across the political divide. Imagine what $5 billion intelligently directed towards such an endeavor could’ve accomplished. Might Trump have never become president? It’s possible.
There’s just one more thing I’ll mention about this issue of the Review. On page 15, there’s a full-page ad for the Brooklyn Book Festival (September 20-28, 2026 — Brooklyn Book Festival.org). Over 200 national and international authors will be in attendance, and over 230 independent publishers, press and bookstores will be participating. I wasn’t planning on going; but maybe I will!
(3) (Wednesday, June 24, 2026) I often get good ideas while flossing my teeth. I was flossing my teeth a little while ago and got a great idea for a short story. The concept sorta reminds me of O. Henry’s “The Last Leaf.” I was going to share the plot idea here. But you know what? Even though I don’t have much interest in writing fiction, I think I’m going to give this one a shot! Who knows if or when I’ll get around to it. But I love the concept. If I ever get a chance to do this, I’ll publish it right here on my website. In the meantime, now I just need a working title.
(2) (Tuesday, June 23, 2026) “I have always a slight feeling of pity for the man who has no knowledge of chess, just as I would pity the man who has remained ignorant of love. Chess, like love, like music, has the power to make men happy.” That quotation is from the late chess grandmaster and physician Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch. This game below made me so happy that going home I happily handed the taxi driver a $20 bill for a $5 ride. At the time, Susan Polgar’s rating was 2445. In subsequent years, she went on to become the Woman’s World Chess Champion. This game is from a simultaneous exhibition event (April, 1984?) in which Polgar played approximately torty people at once. We were each allowed one pass. I used mine on my 19th move. The game below demonstrates the power of a passed pawn. It earned me a draw against a player of her caliber.
White: Susan Polgar / Black: Paul Reinicke
- d4, d5
- c4,c6
- Nc3,Na6
- c:d, c:d
- Nf3, Nc7
- Bf4, e6
- e3, a6
- Bd3, h6
- 00, Bd6
- Ne5, Nf6
- Na4, Nd7
- N:f7, Kf7
- B:d6,Nf6
- Be5, Nc7-e8
- Qc2, Rf8
- Bg6+, Kg8
- Rac1, b5
- Nc5, Qe7
- b4, (PASS) Nd7
- f4, Nb6
- Qf2, Nc4
- Qg3, Ne8-d6
- B:d6, N:d6
- Nd3, Rf6
- Ne5, Nc4
- N:c4, b:c4
- a3, Bd7
- e4, Be8
- B:e8, R:e8
- e:d, e:d
- Rce1, Qf7
- R:e8, Q:e8
- Re1, Qf7
- Rf1, g5
- f5, R:f5
- R:f5, Q:f5
- Qb8+, Qf8
- Qe5, Qf7
- Qb8+, Qf8
- Qf5, Qf7
- Qb8+, Qf8
- Qc7, Qf7
- Qc8+, Kg7
- h3, Qf6
- Qd7+, Qf7
- Qc8, Qf6
- Qd7+ and Draw Offered (Accepted)
(1) (Tuesday, June 23, 2026) The other day, I came across an article in my Sunday New York Times (“The Artist Filling Subway Ad Space With Whimsy,” June 21, 2026), which describes how the artist Sue Sarah Gilbert (also known as Susan Bird) raised $1 million to display her artwork in the New York City subway system. Besides contributing some of her own money (the article mentions she’s a great-granddaughter of John D. Rockefeller Sr.), friends (“in the finance world who love art”) also contributed to the endeavor. Ordinarily, that space would be leased out for ads — for example, steering people towards buying various products or services. She’s not selling anything. Her intentions are good. But I think it’s a perfect illustration of a bad idea. The world is in such a situation right now that I think it’s wholly irresponsible to spend $1 million on displaying artwork in a city subway system. There are people out there (like me) who could be making a really big difference in the world, if they only had the funding (ability to get their ideas out there). (Just saying.)