🌍 Culture Making

• 🍧The meals on the bus go round and round

  A delightful exploration of Ecuador's vibrant bus culture and the unique culinary experiences found along the way.

• 🏚️Wayne Ave., Dayton, Ohio

  An observation on the resilient charm of a Dayton neighborhood. "Much of the neighborhood around Wayne Street and Xenia Ave. seems down on its heels -- lots of boarded-up doors and windows -- but I liked both the remaining (and reasonably maintained) Victorian detail on this pair of houses, and the added patriotic bunting, which both fits in with the architecture and adds an ephemeral touch, a reminder that people are actively caring for this place."

• 🍔Chain mosques

  Exploring how the rise of multi-site mosque chains mirrors the fast-food model, emphasizing accessibility and modern amenities for worshippers.

• 🌲My pleasant uninteresting place

  In the reflections on a tranquil life, Walker Percy captures the essence of his surroundings in Covington.

• 🎶Never mind the propaganda, let’s dance!

  An exploration of the vibrant musical culture of Kinshasa and the phenomenon of libanga in Congolese music.

• 🌌Onion field, rural Washington, by Emily Gatch

  A fascinating glimpse into a field of mature onions going to seed, showcasing their unique floral structures. "Onions that have gone to seed are so cool -- you may have seen ornamental alliums around town, with big bulbous balls, often purple. A field of onion flowers looks like an outerspace commodity."

• 🖼️Naming and photography

  An exploration into the power of context in photography and how simple alterations can create misleading narratives.

• 🎢Not a place where you can get hurt

  Quoting Andy Crouch on the garden versus the theme park.

• 🟡The El, by Daniel Hauben

  A beautiful celebration of the Bronx through vibrant glass panels at Freeman Street Station.

• 📚A year of… books

  A reflection on people who dedicate a year to a unique challenge and then document their experiences in a book.

• 🌍Eiffel Tower, by Mojca Vilfan

  This reflection on perspective evokes not only a visual experience but also deep connections to stories and memories.

• ⏳Unix, five hundred years on

  A reflection on the enduring nature of cultural creations and the unexpected permanence of what was once deemed temporary.

• 🤝Friendship as a pre-existing condition

  Exploring the intersection of friendship and law, particularly in caregiving and gifts.

• 🎤Screaming lessons

  An insight into the art of vocal cultivation, focusing on the unique craft of screaming taught by vocal coach Melissa Cross in New York.

• 🎨Taggers abhor a vacuum

  The Antonio family tried to combat graffiti by commissioning a mural, but their effort was thwarted by city regulations leading to its removal and the return of taggers.

• 🎭Twenty years experience needed

  Brian Eno reflects on the deep-rooted theatrical traditions and community spirit of Oberammergau.

• 🎭Not in my intellectual back yard

  This piece explores how excessive intellectual property rights can stifle creativity and innovation in various fields.

• 🎨The Lacemaker (detail), by Johannes Vermeer

  Lawrence Weschler beautifully reflects on Vermeer's "The Lacemaker," illuminating its focus on concentration and craft.

• 🤸Children practicing gymnastics, by Qiu Yan

  Exploring the new culture that emerges as children train for the Olympics in China.

• 🎓DIY country, DIY university

  An insightful look at Somaliland, a breakaway republic that thrives amidst challenges, highlighting its democratic aspirations and return of former refugees.

• 🌍The claims we make on nature and beauty

  An insightful critique by Rebecca Solnit on the intersection of beauty, nature, and politics in sports, particularly during the Olympics.

• 🗣️ah-SEE-shə

  A linguistic critique on the mispronunciation of "Ossetia" and insights into its cultural and political significance.

• 🍍Fruteria on the corner of Billinghurst and Mansilla, by Thomas Locke Hobbs

  A thoughtful reflection on the artistry of fruit displays, inspired by a special pineapple.

• 🌆Garbage barges vs. vertical farms

  Exploring why urban environments may not be ideal for high-tech food production despite their many advantages.

• 🚕Abu Ali, Shabbos Goy

  A unique interaction between cultures emerges when a Muslim taxi driver helps observant Jews on the Sabbath.

• 🍗“The food here is awful!”

  Sudhir Venkatesh explores the stark contrasts between a millionaire's experiences and those of a local squatter in Chicago's impoverished neighborhoods.

• 🧐The problem with critique as a posture

  Quoting Andy Crouch on the strange passivity of a critical attitude.

• 🚰The real thing?

  A creative proposal to leverage Coca-Cola's distribution for lifesaving rehydration salts.

• 🎨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?

  A look into the fascinating and cultural trend of 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.