course à l'espace

Thanks to the dedication of one feline-fancier who wants to remedy a grave historical omission by raising interest and erect a monument in Paris, we learn the tale of brave Félicette, a stray cat, who unlike her more famous canine compatriot Laika the Space Dog, undertook in 1963 a flight of fifteen minutes and survived to relate her experience, safely returned to Earth in a parachute capsule.
Félicitte’s vitals and vocal reactions were recorded during the launch, flight, which included five minutes of zero-gravity, reflected that the experience was not a pleasant one for the traveller. Her contributions to rocketry helped with the development of a satellite launch platform that enabled the French to compete with the US and the USSR. Sadly instead of being allow to retire as an inspiration to others, Félicette was some months later euthanized so the distressing effects of space flight might be studied further. That in itself makes me think that the first and so far only space cat deserves some sort of memorial.

face value

Via the always brilliant Nag on the Lake, we are treated to a rather metaphysical look at identity politics and the notion of a trustworthy, relatable visage in a series of permutations on the composite face of the US legislative branch. The resulting blended persona includes the facial characteristics of female senators and representatives—as well as the minority ones—though the congressional Everyman is not very androgynous and appears pretty white due to unbalanced representation, notwithstanding recent gains in better mirroring the makeup of America’s population.
I know we don’t elect averages and we are not wanting to confuse appearance for ability (though that goes both ways and we all just mostly muddle through as it is) no matter what the jurisdiction but it is debatable to say that we aren’t governed by algorithms, and aspirationally I wonder what it means that we’re not at equilibrium while we can articulate our shortcomings with great specificity. What do you think?  The most effective influencing factors (not to be mistaken with inspirations) are those whom most resemble us and the company we keep. I think it might be interesting to consider a composite of my circle of friends and professional network.

catalogue raisonné

We enjoyed reading how Dear Dotard is nearly as touchy about the originality of his painting by Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Les Deux Sœurs (The Two Sisters) as he is about his taxes, charitable giving, inaugural crowd size, etc.
Though perhaps a bit less vocal about this matter of contention, he will nonetheless rehash the argument with anyone who’ll listen that his is indeed the original and despite the curators’ certainty of the provenance of the work hanging in the gallery of the Art Institute of Chicago. A copy in the artist’s hand is not inauthentic but we’re not even sure if that’s the case because no expert has been allowed to examine it and the ongoing pettiness though unsurprising is nauseating just like all of his other unsubstantiated boasts. We wonder, if it proves ultimately to be a fake, some huckster didn’t appeal to Dear Leader’s vanity like Dutch master forger Henricus van Meegeren who was nearly executed for treason for selling Nazis the country’s heritage and national treasure in the form Vermeer artwork—except that van Meegeren redeemed himself as a hero for selling Nazis counterfeit Vermeers that he painted himself. That seems a fitting outcome for a phoney presidency who’s done nothing but attack the arts, humanities and science.

zaprudered

Back in August, National Public Radio’s Fresh Air had a programme with veteran reporter Philip Shenon about the then quickly approaching decision deadline on the declassification of some thirty-six hundred previously unseen documents on the assassination of US president John Fitzgerald Kennedy and the subsequent Warren Commission charged with conducted the official investigation into the incident and the possible repercussions of full disclosure.The episode is worth revisiting.
Apparently—though things are certainly primed and ready for change and there are already voices urging caution—Trump has decided to authorize the release whose statute was prompted with legislation passed a quarter of a century earlier after film-maker Oliver Stone’s adaptation JFK revived many dormant conspiracy theories as well as inciting new ones. The guest journalist had reason to suspect that the files would show a degree of dereliction and willful lethargy on the part of intelligence agencies to act to protect the president and show that the assassination could have been prevented—reflecting badly on the FBI and the CIA and the notion of the deep state, a figment of the nationalists the support Dear Dotard, which can surely be, if the outcome of pouring over this cache of new information does in fact lend credence to this argument, manipulated as an indictment against them despite the fact that they’ve had fifty-four years to repent and learn from their mistakes, plus the fact fact the timing is beyond accidental. I don’t know and feel the chance to get closer to the truth about a turbulent time for America and the world should not just be couched in our dumb present, but I strongly suspect that it’s a forgone conclusion that the revelations will be sadly used to bolster the megalomaniacal notion that this narrative is the consequence of some awful destiny that Dear Dotard is supposed to deliver or rather distract us from. Considering the company he keeps and as much as the fringe take to pandering, Thursday’s news may go beyond a condemnation of government institutions and respect for law and more towards the shameless indulgence and captivation of hypotheses that reach beyond, including how Trump went so far as to implicate the father of one of his rivals (and not he is undeserving of any sympathy but still…) during the campaign of playing a direct role in the act. Watch for what antics get buried in the news cycle but please don’t let the importance and solemnity of this moment be absorbed by the present tragicomedy that America has become.