Monthly Archives: July 2023

Banned Book Club

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) launched a new program earlier this month called the Banned Book Club. The program gives users access to books that have been banned in their local libraries by using “GPS-based geo-targeting.” To use … Continue reading →

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For some reason, the word ‘Sunday’ makes his head ache

Posted on July 30, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Vampire by Robert Coover He sets off one day on an arduous journey to a remote kingdom, wondering, as the weeks pass, about the wisdom of it. Even the purpose. When he launched forth, he was sure he had a … Continue reading →

Posted in USA, Writing | Tagged | 1 Comment

Pity the Nation

Posted on July 29, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Pity the nation that wears a cloth it does not weave and eats a bread it does not harvest. Pity the nation that acclaims the bully as hero, and that deems the glittering conqueror bountiful. Pity a nation that despises … Continue reading →

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To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in … Continue reading →

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Rock & Roll Bibliophile

Posted on July 27, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I was today years old when I learned that the late Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts was a longtime bibliophile and rare book collector. This September, hundreds of books owned by Watts will go up for auction at  London auction … Continue reading →

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When is a travel book not a travel guide

Posted on July 26, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

As a collector of, and dealer in, the niche market of travel books, I’m always on the lookout for rare and unusual travel books. Many years ago, I read about a special travel book that was not in any way … Continue reading →

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A mesmerizing journey

Posted on July 25, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I ran across the stunning stop-motion video Takrar on a number of websites over the past week and watched each time. Takrar or Repetition is an experimental film that celebrates the timeless and intricate beauty of ancient craftsmanship. Filmed in Istanbul, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Architecture, Art, Asia, Europe, Film, Tourism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Summer reads and more

Posted on July 24, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

It’s that time of the year when former President Barack Obama releases his summer reading list. Since he has such impeccable and varied tastes, those of us who care about books take notice. While I usually have read at least … Continue reading →

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Pushing back against AI

Posted on July 23, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

The Authors Guild has submitted an open letter to the CEOs of prominent AI companies, including OpenAI, Alphabet, Meta, Stability AI, IBM, and Microsoft, calling their attention “to the inherent injustice in exploiting our works as part of your AI systems without … Continue reading →

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Paris: RINGdeLUXE

Posted on July 22, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Plastique Fantastique (aka Marco Canevacci and Yena Young) created RINGdeLUXE, an exciting in situ installation enveloping the iconic Léopold-Sédar-Senghor footbridge across the Seine for the 2023 Nuit Blanche festival. The monumental ring artwork captures the imagination of its observers with its … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, Film, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment