Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

Living in the Real World

Posted on June 24, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Most reasonably educated adults—other than flatearth nincompoops—are well aware that the way we map our planet distorts the actual size of countries and continents. For centuries, we have generally ignored the wildly misleading maps that are used in most publications. … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Asia, Europe, Maps | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Five for Friday

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Hermann Hesse // “This day will never come again and anyone who fails to eat and drink and taste and smell it will never have it offered to him again in all eternity. The sun will never shine as it … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Libraries | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Mid-Summer’s Eve or publication day

Posted on June 22, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

 

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The water was black and warm

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Much has been written about the great American novelist Cormac McCarthy since his recent death. I have long admired his writing, but often found his books to be grim. Ironically, my favorite work is The Road, which is about a dark a … Continue reading →

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To My Enemies

Posted on June 20, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Watching the nonstop maddening show of U.S. politics and culture these days, I have been reminded of the poem “To My Enemies” by the under-appreciated American poet Bert Meyers. Meyers was born in Los Angeles on March 20, 1928. The son of … Continue reading →

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Cut & Run

Posted on June 19, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

“Most artists have an obsession that defines their work,” reads the message from Banksy on the wall of Glasgow’s GoMA gallery. “Monet had light, Hockney has colour, I’ve got police response time.” Everyone’s favorite graffiti artist just launched his first … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Mind the Gap

Posted on June 18, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Transport for London (TfL) recently launched an updated Public Transport Safety campaign, developed in partnership with creative agency VCCP to remind travelers of its commitment to maintaining safe travel for all. Featuring vivid primary colors, the posters aim to cut … Continue reading →

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Passports Please

Posted on June 17, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

In the waning days of the American Empire, our once powerful passport now lacks the cachet that it once possessed. Now it’s time for other nation’s passports to edge ours aside. The Passport Index is an interesting internet projects that … Continue reading →

Posted in Tourism | Tagged , | 1 Comment

A Novel Library of America

Posted on June 16, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

1,001 Novels: A Library of America is a brilliant interactive literary map of the United States. The project maps more than 1,000 works of fiction and sets them based on the geographical “heart” of each story. 1,001 Novels: A Library … Continue reading →

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Guided by AI (and cats)

Posted on June 15, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I recently stumbled upon meoweler an AI-generated travel guide for cats -made by Vilem Ries. It’s not actually a travel site for cats, but it is heavily cat-oriented and cat themed. I’m still not sure what Zurich-based Google designer Ries … Continue reading →

Posted in apps, Europe, Tech, Tourism | Tagged , , | 2 Comments