Friday, May 2, 2025
Hello. It's May now, which means, I don't know, probably something bad. But at least we got through April, right? Well, not all of us...
Item 1: a link
Did you hear about how the late Pope Francis wanted a humble tomb (can a tomb really be humble?) but they screwed up the kerning? Experts called it "horrifically bad”, "pretty lazy", and "the most boneheaded rookie mistake you can imagine (pun intended)". But as the Fast Company piece points out, this amateurish, ugly design might be a fitting way to memorialize a guy whose only vanity seemed to be his lack of vanity (other than, you know, ending up with a tomb in the Vatican).
Maybe they should have just gone with Gorton.
Item 2: a list
Goldfish Special & Limited Edition Cracker Flavors, Ranked:
- Old Bay
- Maple Syrup Holiday Graham Crackers (Elf themed)
- Frank’s RedHot
- Spicy Dill Pickle
- Princess Cheddar
- Strawberry Shortcake Flavored Graham Crackers (Hello Kitty themed)
- Star Wars Cheddar (Baby Yoda themed)
- Pumpkin Spice Grahams
- Mickey Mouse Cheddar
- Harry Potter™ Butterbeer Butterscotch Flavored Graham Crackers (TERF themed)
Item 3: a media recommendation
I enjoyed Alternate Realities, a short (three part) podcast miniseries about a guy who watched his dad descend into right-wing conspiracy madness and tried to understand it, and ultimately to bring him back from it. The story starts with a $10,000 bet but really grapples with the psychology of conspiracy theorizing, and how smart people revise their views based on objective conflicting evidence (or... don't). I wouldn't say we learn any clear lessons, but I found it a pretty bracing window into how a lot of people view life in America. Also it's only like 90 minutes, total.
I also recommend the film "Sinners". See it in IMAX if you can.
Item 4: word of the week
Virago
It's kind of interesting how the word "virago" used to mean a woman of great strength and now it means a domineering, violent, or ill-tempered woman. Perhaps it says something about our misogynistic society? Just spit-balling.
Item 5: a photograph
See ya!
Email readers may have noticed I announced proudly that this is the 200th Wolmania. Unfortunately I just made that up – I have not been keeping track – but I guess there is a non-zero chance that it is. And celebrating round numbers is arbitrary anyway, so it doesn't really matter. The important thing is, uh... I'm realizing now that none of this is important at all.
At any rate, thank you for your time, attention, and forebearance. See you next week.
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