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Author Archives: Brian D. Butler
A sad farewell
Anyone who has visited Japan over the last 25 years has likely used the very helpful and convenient Suica transit card. Like most things in contemporary Japan, the Suica comes with a cute mascot. The epitome of kawaii culture, JR East’s cuddly … Continue reading
Dylan’s mind and other diversions
Can AI tell us anything meaningful about Bob Dylan’s songs? What was uncovered when computer scientist Prashant Garg fed Dylan’s official discography from 1962 to 2012 into a large language model (LLM), building a network of the concepts and connections … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Maps, Museums, Photography, Writing
Tagged Bob Dylan, Maps, Matt Haig, Photography, Ursula K. Le Guin
1 Comment
Oh, the places we’ll go
More than three decades after Dr Seuss’s death, the beloved children’s author (real name Theodor Geisel) is set to publish a “new” book next summer. Titled Sing the 50 United States!, the never-before-seen manuscript was discovered earlier this year in … Continue reading
The poem I didn’t write
The Poem I Didn’t Write, by Raymond Carver Here is the poem I was going to write earlier, but didn’t because I heard you stirring. I was thinking again about that first morning in Zurich. How we woke up before … Continue reading
Travel Opens The Mind
For a More Creative Brain, Travel. “New sounds, smells, language, tastes, sensations, and sights spark different synapses in the brain and may have the potential to revitalize the mind.” Writers and thinkers have long felt the creative benefits of international travel. … Continue reading
Do Literary Prizes Really Matter
Flesh by David Szalay was named the winner of the Booker Prize 2025 at a ceremony in London on Monday. Szalay receives £50,000 and a trophy, which was presented to him by last year’s winner, Samantha Harvey. I suppose that it’s time … Continue reading
Lit Box
Regular visitors to TBTP know that I have an inordinate interest in vending machines, especially when they dispense books. I recently heard about a cool new one at the entrance of Western Market in downtown Washington D.C. What makes this … Continue reading
Chat Europe
I admit that I’m an unrepentant Europhile, so I really like this clever and informative new project from the EU. “ChatEurope is the first chatbot dedicated to European news. Launched by 15 European partners, this project includes a unique news … Continue reading
Travel Between The Pages 