April 27, 2025, 9:59 a.m.

Perfect Sentences, 122

Perfect Sentences

As a belated Indie Bookstore Day gesture, book links in this newsletter are to my neighborhood store.


THE GARDEN IS AN OASIS FROM THE MALICE OF OUR TIME.

A note left on the fence of a neighborhood community garden

Actually seen last week but I forgot to add it.


“We, ah, don’t support the war, but we support the troops, and we certainly support the pilot of the bomber, as an American, but we don’t support the bombs themselves, although we do support the company that makes the bombs, since it’s a pillar of the American economy, but we hope that the bombs don’t kill anyone innocent, but we still hope that American wins the war, though we know the war is unjust, because we love America.”

“The Patriotism Trap”, Hamilton Nolan for his newsletter How Things Work

Submitted by Jenny.


“It’s like they say in Jurassic Park: Life keeps on happening.”

Mỹ Documents, Kevin Nguyen


To maintain belief in what is commonly called the rules-based order requires a tolerance for disappointment.

One day, everyone will have always been against this, Omar El Akkad


Mostly we are bitter and that feels spiritually correct and I’m flinging my soft meat suit into the churning turbines of this particular hot take machine because I like it.

"Katy Perry Smells Human.", Mary H.K. Choi in her newsletter choitotheworld

Submitted by Mars.


There’s a vocabulary of dishonest ovations that people use like law-enforcement radio codes.

Tay Zonday in an interview with Jay Boller for Racket


You are also hesitant, as you are after all talking to a sand-filled plastic goose.

"Emergency Feel-Better Kit", Danielle Kurtzleben for her newsletter Very Professional Journalizing


Beauty standards are always shaped by cultural movements, which rest on the slow, grinding tectonics of politics and economics.

"The Evolution of the Alpha Male Aesthetic", Derek Guy for Bloomberg Businessweek


Maps were no longer solely navigational tools, they also became symbols of power.

"Maps and Monsters: Why and how did sea monsters find their way into the art of cartography?", Dr. Maeve Nolan

Submitted by Sam.


That eggshell life sticks with you forever.

"The Sunset Tree Turns 20", Tom Breihan for Stereogum


The validity of the bishop's Moon argument has been questioned.

Footnote on the Wikipedia entry for the Roman Diocese of Orlando

Submitted by hdp with the comment "(my mind autocompletes this with "...i assure myself as i close my eyes and ram the hallmark gift shop with my shitty bronco")"

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