Now that we have someone relatively sane occupying the White House and along with that change comes the hope that we’ll eventually get the Covid-19 (and all of its new and super fun mutant variations) under control, I’m going to try to gravitate towards more sane things myself. The way for me to get there, at least in the short term, is to read about things that aren’t political. That said, Wonkette lives forever in my perpetually open tabs. I just need a breather.

1. This article about Russian Avant-Garde painters that may or not have even existed is one of the more fascinating things I’ve read this week. The idea of creating fictional painters to sell the style of work popular with American collectors is one that makes me want to do more digging since the commerce of art isn’t something I often think about. I do love the whiff of simulacra exuding from the complicated mess.

2. Heartbreakingly especially given how many Hall of Famers have passed recently, Hank Aaron has passed away. Aaron was legendary on so many levels and is yet another crushing loss to delineate this span of time from any kind of feeling of normalcy or continuity.

3. Microsoft were just granted a patent for some creepy dead people AI chatbot idea that I’m not quite ready for. Did no one see Devs? Jesus.

4. AZ man (trying to compete with Florida?) pulls a gun on a customer for wearing a mask which just about epitomizes the state of things in the US right now. Take off your protective wear and risk your life for my bullshit politics or I will shoot you.