On the bench they sat in a single row, working their marbles. The bench stretched in either direction for miles–perhaps an infinity–and to each inhabitant was allotted a single marble, a clear sphere speckled with dots and striated with lines that the individual rolled over in their palm, trying to wipe clean. Over time, this… Continue reading The marble-workers
Case studies
Alex Honnold’s “Free Solo” as aesthetic experience
While with my father over Thanksgiving, a mutual friend came forward with a strong opinion about a certain brand of professional athletics: “I am sick of seeing wealthy white men throwing their lives away and calling it brave.” Surprising myself, I volunteered Alex Honnold as a counter-example, saying that to me there was something about… Continue reading Alex Honnold’s “Free Solo” as aesthetic experience
Navigating absolute and relative realities to minimize suffering and amplify joy
Navigating health crises
I beat up my friend
As our outdoor, high school assembly wound down one spring morning, my friend and I playfully tossed into each other’s shoes a variety of wood chip which coated our seating area’s floor. This back-and-forth escalated with increasing quantities of wood chips, and then, as we were dismissed and my friend stood up to head to… Continue reading I beat up my friend
Jackson Holzberg Buckley 