by way of Snow, Science, and Simone Biles

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DC's biggest snowstorm in two years coated the city in a uniform white this weekend. The few inches wouldn't rank as a conversational weather event for anybody accustomed to measuring winter in feet, but the snow provided a reminder of possibilities.

A fresh, blank surface like the year itself.

Already in 2021, the U.S. inaugurated a new president, I accepted a new job, I moved to a new apartment (mostly why I'm late sending), and, as of this writing, the newsletter has a new name. I planned to change the name when the pandemic ended, something of a rebirth.

That's taking too long.

Yet the pandemic-–a year and counting—is still a singular moment.

Despite common sentiments, "moment" is an indefinite measure and therefore not necessarily brief. The word derives from Latin, "to move," and in physics, moments describe everything from the torque on a wrench to how Simone Biles sticks a gymnastics routine. All movements. All forces acting on objects.

Coronavirus is just another force.

We'll view it as a generative origin point for decades. The long-tail products will include everything from scientific research methods to modified labor norms to the creative projects many of you are pursuing (or the ideas that are coalescing during these chaotic days).

For now, our moment continues to stretch “invisible before us / untouched and still possible.” As a friend wrote to me last week: “Stay positive. Test negative.”

(Poetry selection this month from Archival Magic reader Christine!)