Published in Human Parts·PinnedSchrödinger’s LonelinessI’m lonely but I’m also not — Wikipedia explains that Schrödinger’s Cat “is a thought experiment that illustrates a paradox of quantum superposition. In the thought experiment, a hypothetical cat may be considered simultaneously both alive and dead as a result of its fate being linked to a random subatomic event that may or may not occur.”…Psychology7 min read
3 days agoDiary of Surrender, Week 12: Giving Up on the Diary of Surrender.It’s just not honest anymore. — I’m writing a diary about my year of giving up, although this is the last installment for reasons that become apparent below. You can read about why I gave up here, and the previous week of saying fuck it here. When I first started this strange little project, writing about…Psychology6 min read
May 9A Mathematical Formula to Determine When and How Your Ex Will Circle BackThey’ll definitely circle back, the question is when and to what degree. — All exes circle back. The question isn’t if they will, but when and how. Circle back phenomena can range from de minimis activity, such as liking an Instagram post in an effort to get you to circle back, to showing up on your doorstep screaming and crying. Obviously, the ideal…Love6 min read
May 8The Trauma of the Discontinued Lip GlossTrigger warning: this article discusses the death of several lip glosses and one eyeshadow. — I remember where I was when I learned of the death of Estée Lauder’s Matte Mocha lipstick, a dark, dusty purplish brown that stuck to your lips like a layer of crazy glue. It was 1990, I was in college at a fancy liberal arts school, and my friends and…Fashion6 min read
Apr 24Diary of Surrender, Week 11: I’m Sorry, But Fuck this CPAP MachineLife is just trading one set of problems for another set of problems. — I’m writing a diary about my year of giving up, although I may give up on this too. Who knows? You can read about why I’m giving up here, and the previous week of saying fuck it here. (The term “week” is used loosely). One of my problems is that…Health7 min read
Apr 18Diary of Surrender, Week 10: Giving up on RitualNo Passover seders for me, and I’m tired of thinking about it. — I’m writing a diary about my year of giving up, although I may give up on this too. Who knows? You can read about why I’m giving up here, and the previous week of saying fuck it here. (The term “week” is used loosely). My parents were great in a…Psychology8 min read
Apr 2Notes on Our Collective Mental BreakdownWe need help. — I don’t think it’s up for debate that we are in the midst of a collective mental breakdown. If there were any lingering doubt, the photos of Will Smith dancing at Oscar parties after he assaulted Chris Rock has removed it. Did Will’s publicist just walk off the job? Probably…Psychology6 min read
Mar 30Diary of Surrender, Week 9: The Devil Comes for You at Your Highest Moment, But Who Comes for You When You’re in Pajamas by Early Afternoon?This is a story about chocolate and Xanax and heroes. — I’m writing a diary about my year of giving up, although I may give up on this too. Who knows? You can read about why I’m giving up here, and the previous week of saying fuck it here. (The term “week” is used loosely). I haven’t been writing because I…Mindfulness5 min read
Mar 16Crying Everyday is Really InconvenientI sprang a leak during the pandemic. — Yesterday I cried three times. Once remembering my dead dog, Millie (grief), once trying to reschedule a doctor’s appointment for my mother (frustration), and once trying to ask a certified respiratory therapist a question about my new CPAP machine (frustration). No matter how many times I asked the same very…Writehere7 min read
Mar 13Diary of Surrender, Week 8: Dispatches from the Void of InevitabilityI have nothing left to say, but my heroes do. — I’m writing a diary about my year of giving up, although I may give up on this too. Who knows? You can read about why I’m giving up here, and the previous week of saying fuck it here. (The term “week” is used loosely). Pro-tip: do not give yourself a…Psychology7 min read
