Autumn Version

We held it at bay for an extra four weeks, but it's here now, in all its bluster. Autumn, my favorite season in New York, although this year it threatens to close quickly. And, of course, the grey threats of winter always loom behind the crisp delights of autumn. Fall is only the knife edge.

Since the winds are blowing up the avenues now, and the leaves are piling up on the side streets, and you won't be going out nearly as much, why don't you check out the following?

- William Saletan's strangely philosophical analysis of the effects of IED's on warfare. Doesn't bode well for our future wars with terrorists. Doesn't bode well for our future wars with robots, either.
- A take-down of Brooklyn writing, which represents my feelings somewhat, and pretty much articulates why, in addition to laziness, I've never taken a project of any ambition off the ground.
- Gay Talese on Frank Sinatra, billed as the best celebrity profile ever.
- An excellent profile of Louis Auchincloss, a writer who I may never find the time to read. Sadly, it seems.
- The vastly under-appreciated Phil Ball, on the travails of the Spanish national team.
- A bemusing video about beer pong -- leading, if nothing else, to a desire for the ability to waste time endlessly, once again.

And of note over on the other blog, in case you aren't a regular of both:

- A bit of concerned rambling about the most recent saber-rattling over Iran.
- Reflections on a talk by Errol Morris and Philip Gourevitch on Abu Ghraib.
- Modest commentary on the ability of the venture community to really take on the big environmental challenges facing us.
- Speculation about the ability of India's young, upstart middle class to engage in India's social and political problems.

Photos from Flickr user SantaCrewsGirl, used without permission!