Tag: History

‘How does one survive?’: Factory protests expose strain in India’s industrial system

International Workers’ Day The day will come when our silence will be more powerful than the voices you are throttling today… Haymarket Martyrs memorial.. Forest Park Chicago… Mayday Greetings ‘How does one survive?’: Factory protests expose strain in India’s industrial system This Mayday nearly 1100 workers are ncarcerated or kept in illegal custody for demanding… Read More ‘How does one survive?’: Factory protests expose strain in India’s industrial system

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A Terrible Greening

When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamín Labatut The Spanish title of Labatut’s book is Un Verdor Terrible – roughly, A Terrible Greening NB: This is an astonishing piece of writing, at once simple and deeply thought-provoking. The style is reminiscent of Borges, and the philosophical citation that comes to mind is this one from… Read More A Terrible Greening

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The impossible promise: are we witnessing the return of fascism?

Some of today’s far right is openly violent and undemocratic – and even in its less extreme forms, far-right populism is a profound threat. But that doesn’t mean it is just a re-run of history By Daniel Trilling Politics, before it is about anything else, is about emotion. We all base our judgments about the world… Read More The impossible promise: are we witnessing the return of fascism?

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Trial, Triumph, and the Art of the Possible: The Remarkable Story Behind Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’

By Maria Popova “Day by day I am approaching the goal which I apprehend but cannot describe,” Ludwig van Beethoven (December 16, 1770–March 26, 1827) wrote to his boyhood friend, rallying his own resilience as he began losing his hearing. A year later, shortly after completing his Second Symphony, he sent his brothers a stunning letter about the joy of suffering… Read More Trial, Triumph, and the Art of the Possible: The Remarkable Story Behind Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’

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The Real American War Is Between Trump and This Holy Warrior / Pope says ‘enough of war’ and decries ‘delusion of omnipotence’ at peace vigil

There is only person who is really battling for the soul of the nation. He chose the name Leo for a reason: Saint Leo stood up for laborers, and this Leo has shown a similar instinct, from his missionary work in Peru to his criticisms of immigration crackdowns Pope says ‘enough of war’ and decries ‘delusion… Read More The Real American War Is Between Trump and This Holy Warrior / Pope says ‘enough of war’ and decries ‘delusion of omnipotence’ at peace vigil

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Bertold Brecht: To Posterity (1938) / Pablo Neruda: Nuevo Canto de Amor a Stalingrado (1942) / Victory: Ilya Ehrenburg, 9 May 1945

Bertold Brecht (1898-1956) I came into the cities in a time of disorderAs hunger reigned.I came among men in a time of turmoilAnd I rose up with them.And so passedThe time given to me on earth. I ate my food between slaughters.I lay down to sleep among murderers.I tended to love with abandon.I looked upon… Read More Bertold Brecht: To Posterity (1938) / Pablo Neruda: Nuevo Canto de Amor a Stalingrado (1942) / Victory: Ilya Ehrenburg, 9 May 1945

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