Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

I don’t need anything from here

Posted on October 17, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

“I would leave everything here: the valleys, the hills, the paths, and the jaybirds from the gardens, I would leave here the petcocks and the padres, heaven and earth, spring and fall, I would leave here the exit routes, the … Continue reading →

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Lessons in reading

Posted on October 16, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

We went from “what good are the humanities?” to “suddenly, no one can read” in a few years, and it’s no coincidence that we’re suddenly awash in misinformation and lack of critical thinking. This is WHY we need the humanities. … Continue reading →

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The 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature Goes to László Krasznahorkai

Posted on October 15, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

There Goes Valzer László Krasznahorkai, translated by George Szirtes My name​ is Róbert Valzer and I like walking, not that I have anything to do with the famous Robert Walser, nor do I think it strange that walking should be my … Continue reading →

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Do Halloween like it’s 1920

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

I recently stumbled upon this fantastic vintage Halloween book filled with crafts, decoration ideas, DIY costumes, and more. The book is called Dennison’s Bogie Book for Halloween. It was written in 1920, but the activities and decorations inside can make … Continue reading →

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Book of Demons and Ghosts

Posted on October 13, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

The Book of Dreams and Ghosts by 19th century Scottish novelist and poet Andrew Lang brings together 78 spooky tales, ranging from a demon encounter in 17th-century England to a 19th century poltergeist haunting in China. Lang  offers commentary on … Continue reading →

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even though the whole world is burning

Posted on October 12, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

 

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A Show of Hands

Posted on October 11, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Starting tomorrow foreigners traveling to Europe will have their fingerprints scanned and picture taken when they arrive in 28 EU nations under new regulations. Those who don’t provide such biometric data will be denied entry. The change comes as the … Continue reading →

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Everybody thinks the world revolves around them

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

A 17th-century, Safavid brass, Mecca-Centered World Map, from Persia. The circular brass base plate with centrally-pivoted rotating brass diametrical rule fixed with removable pin, a glazed circular recess for compass to lower part, the base plate finely engraved and chased … Continue reading →

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Equal Earth

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Most of us were educated to believe in a wildly inaccurate world map. Odds are that you have accepted the standard Mercator projection as the actual map of the world. But it’s completely misleading, making Africa look about the same … Continue reading →

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A river runs through it

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

By now you all know that I love a clever map. And, there’s nothing better than a brilliant series of maps with a transit map theme. The map above is a terrific reimagining of North American rivers as a  classic … Continue reading →

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