Perfect Sentences logo

Perfect Sentences

Archives
April 12, 2026, 10:10 a.m.

Perfect Sentences, 172

Perfect Sentences Perfect Sentences

Violence, if we must, let's talk about it, but by seeing it first for what it is: a word.

"Here and Now for Bobby Seale", Jean Genet for Ramparts, translated by Judy Oringer

Via Zito on Bluesky.


If the Middle Ages existed before capitalism, which is the axis of our sexuality, then what can contemplating the hot red pussy of a pre-credit-card God do for us?

"Spectrum of Desire", Jo Livingstone for 4Columns

Submitted by Meghan.


That was part of why I liked him: he was such a through-and-through Californian, in its provincial, rather than glamorous, strain.

Salt Lakes: An Unnatural History, Caroline Tracey


I love Japanese mys­teries for their wacky, frigid construction — as if these authors looked at the cold clock­work of the Sher­lock Holmes sto­ries and said “Oh, that’s WAY too loose and squishy.

"Good trains", Robin Sloan in his newsletter

Submitted by David.


Eulogies aren't mirrors, but they have shards of mirror affixed to them.

This Year: 365 Songs Annotated, John Darnielle


One of our biggest mistakes was hiring a former Navy SEAL to pump the team up.

Keith Valory as quoted in an article in The Wall Street Journal

Submitted by Chris.


LET THE SUN DO THE THINKING

Video about Solar Protocol

Encountered at an event where Tega gave a talk about her work, including Solar Protocol. It's so neat to know people who make cool smart things.


And Sister Paula remarked at recreation in the evening how it was "so nice" that the tornado did not kill us after all, as Sister Catherine's mother had given us some shrimp and it would have been a dreadful shame for a rare treat like that to be blown into Texas, where people probably had shrimp any old day.

Closing Time, Joseph Heller

Submitted by Joe last week but I missed it.


He is almost unnervingly earnest.

"A star scientist showed that better genetics lessons could reduce racism. It was the death knell for his career", Megan Molteni for Stat


If you are waiting for Hegseth to concede that perhaps God wasn’t on our side this time, don’t.

"Pete Hegseth’s holy war: the militant Christian theology animating the US attack on Iran", Julia Carrie Wong for The Guardian

You just read issue #172 of Perfect Sentences. You can also browse the full archives of this newsletter.

lifewinning.com
Bluesky
Powered by Buttondown, the easiest way to start and grow your newsletter.