And now today's newsletter - which has a free-to-read section that recommends some episodes on #literature, #politics, and #philosophy from the Past Present Future podcast, and a paid subscriber section that deep-dives into the question of what an essay *does* - and maybe what it *should* be doing - in our peculiar production context today.

Is the goal really to be a "Montaigne" or "Hume" when we talk about big ideas today? Or is there other work that matters more?

https://open.substack.com/pub/mlclark/p/whats-the-use-of-an-essay

This was my Christmas newsletter last year, reflecting on Zelenskyy's Christmas message, and so little of the underlying sentiment has changed that I’m not publishing another this year.

More soon, on another theme—but this is unfortunately as relevant as ever.

#War #Humanism
https://mlclark.substack.com/p/so-this-is-christmas-on-war-pedestals

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate.

For those of faith--

May your spiritual practice be a strength in these difficult times.

For those of the secular-Christmas persuasion--

May there be strength in community, whatever form it takes, to fortify you for the coming of another tough year.

And for all of you--

Have a beautiful day, just because. 🕊️ 🕯️

Good morning, CoSo.
Merry Christmas.

It's another hard one for the world. Last year, in my newsletter, I framed it around Zelenskyy's speech in the first year of Russia's war in Ukraine.

Today, for OnlySky, I turn to an essay by Simone Weil, writing in the winter of 1942 on how the fight for personhood through political collectives had failed our shared humanity.

What matters, truly, to the human condition?
Our ability to suffer.

Can we ever build a politics to match?
https://onlysky.media/mclark/the-myth-of-personhood-on-a-wartorn-christmas-morn/

Thinking of you, @NiveusLepus, on my walk tonight. Not sure why 😉🐇... but I hope you're doing wonderfully!

I have to share this chuckle. Being humanist means I often get accused of not "picking a side"--because the "side" I pick doesn't prioritize abstracts at cost to human lives. Even then, I'm still too radical for some. Consider this criticism I received today... from a friend!

"Have you considered that your arguments might be more complete, more balanced, more pleasing, more persuasive if you recognised the common, human failings shared across the political spectrum?"

🙃 Ah well.

#CantWinEmAll

¡Mira esta belleza! 😍

I got a very sweet gift of old postcards from one of my street friends today. I'll upload them properly later, but these are so lovely.

I love learning more about local history. Local authors sometimes write about the city as it looked in the 1940s and 1950s, and I love walking the streets connecting old names with new features.

These are from the early 1900s and 1910s. An extra level of private joy, to marvel at how much has changed in a relatively short time. #Colombia

Also... 😉

You know it's Nochebuena because there were fireworks at 1:30am and now, in the early haze of a new day, there are again fireworks going off. 🤦🏻 Just for the sound, more than anything. To announce the occasion for those excited by it.

However you celebrate, try to keep the burns to a minimum today, do something nice for yourself and others, and... something something something about peace on Earth, if not in your barrio! 🙃

Good morning, CoSo. 🫂

Someone I worked with this year has been in a terrible accident and isn't expected to pull through. They're not close, so no condolences to me are necessary - but these occasions always prompt the reminder to tell people how much they mean to us while they're still here.

Feliz Nochebuena.

May you all have the opportunity today to love and be loved. 🫂

What else are we doing here, if not that?

Violent Night is on a local streaming platform, so I've popped it on in the background while doing some chores. Thus far I'm enjoying the smart scripting; it's very easy to elevate a predictable plot with attention to the writing, and the actors to pull it off. :) Back soon! #CoSoFilms

I knew it was going to be a tough night for a walk. So many families out begging with their children, while the stores are packed with people loading up for the big day. *Two* people started crying when I gave 10mil notes (around 3.50CAD). It's not that there isn't need all year round; it's the same stressor I see on r/povertyfinance right now: a feeling of failure for being poor, while all around you signs of comfort and celebration abound.

Be gentle--to yourselves and others.
Do what you can.

I hope you're all doing well and being good to yourselves.

That is all. 🤗

Also, I'm very comfortable saying that my first line in that piece is the best thing I've written all year. 😅 (With all thanks to Monty Python, of course.)

Time for a tinto! I've got a newsletter in process, for paid subscribers, that should hopefully be up soon, too.

Morning folks!

My UBI piece is live.

I always go slower when writing about economics. It's a field that houses ideas that can be difficult to translate for lay-readers well.

You might've wondered why I didn't talk about UBI when it was in the news early in Dec. That's because the "new" data was from Sept, & treating UBI results as novel undermines our ability to push for long-overdue reforms.

We *know* this works.
We just need the will to act on that knowledge now.

https://onlysky.media/mclark/when-will-ubi-studies-translate-into-better-policy/

Okay, I think I've *almost* got my sillies out.

You know how our fur-friends need to get their zoomies in before they can settle down? That's been me today, because I know I'm now *well and truly* hunkering down without leaving for more than a tinto with street friends for the next two weeks.

I'll be working through the night to get caught up on email & posts, but... all good!

I have everything I need to reach my year-end goals now.

...Once I go for one last quick walk / bout of zoomies. 😁