Upon posting my review of Harari's SAPIENS, I noticed that my last review (Kohei Saito's SLOW DOWN) went up on January 10, close to a six-month gap. How abysmal.
My reading habit has certainly taken a blow upon my big relocation to Cairo, the moving parts of which have not yet completely settled (Still. No. Kitchen).
The good news is: Pencils on the last chapter of my demented magnum opus THE SOLAR GRID are finally complete. Now moving onto inks.
The title (SAPIENS: A BRIEF HISTORY OF HUMANKIND) does not lie, it really is a brief history of humankind. The keyword here however being brief, which means Harari will sometimes mention a major historical event or finding in passing, which may frustrate the curious mind that really wants to know more about said historical event or finding. This isn't a bad thing, this is a great way to note particular events or subjects one might like to find more in-depth writing on. The downside however is that there is a high chance many readers might assume they know everything that needs to be known about whatever is mentioned in the book, a foolish and likely popular assumption. But make no mistake, the book is very much a must-read.
It is divided into four parts, what Harari hypotheses to be the four revolutions that got us to where we are today: The Cognitive Revolution, The Agricultural Revolution, The Unification of Humankind, and the Scientific Revolution.
The first, second, and fourth are largely self-explanatory, so let's do something a little unorthodox and talk about the third.
Full review: Ganzeer.Reviews
In what world do you enter another country's airspace, drop bombs on them, and then say “We're not at war with them”?
Officially entering hermit mode. Though it is kind of impossible to block out the outside world right now.
Trump Bombs Iran: Huge escalation of War, making nuclear weapons more likely — Geopolitical Economy Report
“Brutal Act That Contravenes International Law”: Iran Confirms US Strikes — NDTV World
Explosions in Tel Aviv, other Israeli cities as Iran launches missiles after US Strikes — Hindustan Times
Bid my little one farewell the other day and now there's a big gaping hole in my heart. He's halfway across the world now and it'll likely be quite a while before we see each other again. Two foxes quenching their thirst from a watering hole in Namibia keep me company while I sulk.
Will spend the day cleaning and getting the place in order. Hermit mode begins tomorrow.
Israel Discovers that Bombing Hospitals is a War Crime — Novara Media
5 Books that Dive into the Drug-Fueled Darkness of the Club Scene — Ivy Pochoda for CrimeReads
Dark Retreats: several days alone in a room in complete darkness and silence. Participants are delivered three meals through a hatch that maintains the darkness in their dwellings, which also each contain a bed, bath, and flushing toilet. They can leave simply by opening the door, and they can also break their silence to chat with the facilitators at two intervals throughout the day when they come to the door to check on them and bring the food. Electronic items like phones or tablets are not allowed inside dark rooms, making it perhaps the ultimate dopamine fast. — Wired
19 films that explore art and erotica:
1. The Dreamers — Bernardo Bertolucci
2. La Belle Noiseuse — Jacques Rivette
3. The Pillow Book — Peter Greenaway
4. Camille Claudel — Bruno Nuytten
5. Henry & June —Philip Kaufman
6. Portrait of a Lady on Fire — Celine Sciamma
7. Caravaggio — Derek Jarman
8. Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus — Steven Shainberg
9. A Bigger Splash — Luca Guadagnino
10. Artemisia — Agnes Merlet
11. The Artist and the Model — Fernando Trueba
12. Anatomy of Hell — Catherine Breillat
13. Lust for Life — Vincente Minelli
14. Surviving Picasso — James Ivory
15. The Libertine — Laurence Dunmore
16. Goya's Ghosts — Milos Forman
17. The Dying Gaul — Craig Lucas
18. Factory Girl — George Hickenlooper
19. Claire's Camera — Hong Sang-soo
Some of these I've watched and loved, some I have yet to see. For future reference.
Smearing Writers and Artists with a Red Stain — The Daily Heller
A Writer For Our Time: Why John Le Carre's Work Remains More Essential Than Ever — Rav Grewal Kok for CrimeReads
Israel Tells Airlines Not To Let Israeli Citizens Leave — Haaretz
Come next week, I shall be entering full hermit mode for a good month in an effort to finally bring THE SOLAR GRID to a close; only inks, letters, and some colors remain on the final chapter. Without a kitchen though, proper hermit mode can be difficult to pull off; it kind of necessitates a great deal of meal prep. I've got my microwave, kettle, minifridge, and grill outside, so I think I can make it work.