10 Comments

Great one, as always—have been thinking a lot about "the skills to deal with what’s coming" with my newborn. Have you seen First Reformed?

Maybe obliquely related, a new study shows that some ants remember the scent of their enemies.

https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(24)01595-1?

Expand full comment

Thanks, Owen! I had missed First Reformed, but it looks amazing and I am going to check it out. Congrats on your newborn!!

Expand full comment

This is packed with good stuff today. Plus leaf cutter ants.

Expand full comment

Thank you! 🙏

Expand full comment

Really enjoyed hearing the Burroughs version in my head as I read that leaf cutter ant profile so much more than the standard Attenborough version that typically accompanies nature pieces.

Expand full comment

Thanks! And yeah, I kind of want to tune in the William S. Burroughs-narrated Nature Channel 🎙️

Expand full comment

Just to let you & UK readers of this newsletter know, there appears to be a problem obtaining A Natural History of Empty Lots here in the UK. My local independent bookshop informed me that it’s not available from the UK publisher. Fortunately I have placed an order for a copy with the US wholesaler who supplies Mr Bs Emporium of Reading delights. Other interested UK readers can do the same, shipping is about 2 weeks. books@mrbsemporium.com

Expand full comment

Thanks for the heads up—I will check with the publisher about this.

Expand full comment

Christopher, have you read World Light by Haldor Laxness?

Expand full comment

Ants. The wonder and dread of ants. This one made me wistful for E.O. Wilson.

Expand full comment