What Comes Next_
Thoughts on AI, predictive text, technological metaphors, and the string of thought.
🎨Untitled, by Pasquale Ottaiano
A reflection on the intriguing interplay between art and the viewer, as captured in a moment of deep contemplation.
🏗️Tower of Lego Babel
Kanye draws parallels between a new Toronto tower and the Tower of Babel, with its colorful Lego flags representing many nations.
🌱Tracking global warming, one garden at a time
The beauty of citizen science allows gardeners to contribute to our understanding of climate change through careful observation of plant behavior.
🤠Your church home on the range
Cowboy churches blend country charm with spiritual devotion, creating a unique worship experience.
✝️The only really effective apologia
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger reflects on the true testimonies of Christianity through the lives of saints and the beauty of art instead of mere apologetics.
🕊️The wonder (and scandal) of conversion
An exploration of the complex nature of conversion and identity, illustrated through Jennie Baker's experience with Orthodoxy in England.
📜¡Viva Leviticus!
The "30-Day Leviticus Challenge" sheds light on the often overlooked significance of the Law for believers today.
🎻Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble
Reflecting on the cultural tapestry of the Silk Road, here's a remarkable in-studio performance by Yo-Yo Ma and his ensemble from 2005.
🍲Community kitchens in Lima, Peru
Women in Peru unite through community kitchens, not only to feed those in need but also to empower themselves and demand change.
🏛️How Buildings Learn TV series
A deep exploration of how architecture adapts over time, as illustrated in Stewart Brand's impactful book and documentary series.
📖The Gulag Archipelago’s first readers
The tangible experience of reading _Gulag Archipelago_ resonates deeply in the memories of its first readers.
📺Where have all the dancers gone?
A reflection on the decline of communal dancing and the rise of televised performances in our culture.
🎭Art is not defiled by our efforts
A profound reflection by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.
🌌From NASA to McDonald’s
Laurie Anderson reflects on the transformative power of stepping outside one's own identity and experiences.
🎤Ugandan hip-hop doc
A glimpse into the inspiring world of anti-war and -corruption themed hip-hop in Uganda, reminiscent of the emotional journey explored in "Buena Vista Social Club."
🚦A sofa revolution
A story of neighbors taking matters into their own hands to improve their community by slowing down traffic in Delft.
⚒️Blacksmith demonstration
I appreciate the tension between violence and artful precision in this photograph.
🔥“Blacksmith Shop”, by Czeslaw Milosz
A reflection on how childhood can connect us to our life's callings, as illustrated in Czeslaw Milosz's evocative poem, "Blacksmith Shop."
🎨L.E.S. Artistes, by Santogold
Exploring the dual interpretations of a song about artistic sacrifice and frustration with superficiality.
🐕Who’s a good dog?
Pet names in L.A. County.
📜Politics, yes. Quote-sourcing? Maybe not
Exploring the roots of the saying "All politics is local" and its history, as well as its connection to culture-making.
🏐The only pro game in Cambodia
An inspiring look at how disabled sports in Cambodia help restore culture in the wake of conflict.
💸“Did you send the money to papa?”
A look at the innovative mobile money transfer services reshaping lives in India.
🌍Skyscrapers not to scale
Discover the intriguing data-driven globes from Yale’s G-Econ group, which showcase various global statistics through unique topological representations.
🥤A Coke is a Coke is a Coke
Andy Warhol on low-meets-high.
📚Biblioteca Vasconcelos, Mexico City
This striking library interior evokes elements of futuristic design, reminiscent of sci-fi aesthetics, yet it captures the essence of what a library represents in culture and learning. "Vista de la Biblioteca Vasconcelos" by Eneas, 25 June 2006.
⏳Time lost
In reflecting on the meaning of time and our experiences, Dietrich Bonhoeffer offers profound insights.
🎭Eighty percent of success ..
Quoting Woody Allen
🎙️Ira Glass on the taste-execution gap
A pep talk for creative folks from the This American Life host.
😢Part of why we’re holding off, for the moment, on hosting traditional comments on this site
Reflecting on Rozanov's critique of Herzen and the paradox of emotional impact in literature.
🐍Victorian leeches to the rescue!
The modern uses of an leech ancient therapy for serious medical conditions.
⏰Einstein’s day job
Exploring how Einstein's work at the patent office intertwined with his revolutionary theories on time and simultaneity.
♻️How long before a new building represents a net energy savings?
An embodied-energy argument against teardowns.
🪖It takes a village to ruin a country
A chilling account of political power struggles and violent coercion in Zimbabwe under Mugabe's regime.
🖥️Portfolio | culture-making.com
As curator and co-creator of the Culture Making website, I developed the initial site architecture and layout in collaboration with Andy Crouch and Yee Design.
🌍All the countries that’re fit to print
An observation on the media coverage of countries located in the interior of continents.
🧠Choose and lose
Exploring the taxing nature of making decisions and the creative process behind commitment.
😂Some classical humor
Jokes can be tricky to translate, but here's a taste of classical humor from the Philogelos.
🚌A bit of 1990s Kenyan public transit hip-hop
The cultural implications of public safety in Nairobi, as highlighted in Jimmy Gathu's impactful 1993 track.
🤔The costs of monitoring our own happiness
A thought-provoking reflection on happiness, gratitude, and the complexities of life choices.
📉The decline of culture (as a search term)
An exploration of the trends in public interest toward the concept of culture, observing seasonal fluctuations in search activity.
✉️Chesterton on mixing it up
On the clever chaos a young journalist might create.
🦫Would I be making a stronger statement with willow?
A comedic take on a beaver grappling with artistic integrity while constructing his dam.
🤔Alan Jacobs on athiests’ faith in faith
A reflection by Alan Jacobs on the influence of secular life over religious beliefs.
🏍️Albert Borgmann on motorcycle maintenance
The implications of advancing technology on our relationship with motorcycles and the care they require.
📚An unstoppable commitment to storytelling
A reflection on why Salman Rushdie's _Midnight's Children_ remains a monumental literary achievement.
🌍For English Studies, Koreans Say Goodbye to Dad
Parents in South Korea are increasingly seeking global opportunities for their children through English fluency, driven by dissatisfaction with the local educational system.
🌟Pixar’s R&D
A look into Pixar's unique culture and pioneering spirit in animation.
🤖Robot pets vs. bio pets
An intriguing look at how pets and robots interact in households, highlighting the challenges of integrating technology with our furry friends.
😂Stephen Colbert interviews N.T. Wright
Insights on humor and wit in the interview with Wright on "Life After Heaven."