Author Archives: Kit Stolz

Self-regulation in the new climate: Tom Toles

From the master of climate 'tooning, a recent sketch: The sketch reflects the recent news from Colorado (where fires have been burning for weeks now, and could go on all summer, not to mention Utah, and New Mexico) and California and the West Coast, where sea level rise is accelerating, and is expected to reach five feetContinue reading “Self-regulation in the new climate: Tom Toles”

The usefulness of depression: Scientific American

This is not a new story, but it's new to me, and its logic compells: Molecular research shows that the receptor that governs what we think of as depression has deep mammalian roots, which means it must have been selected for by evolution. So why would depression be useful?  Depressed people often think intensely aboutContinue reading “The usefulness of depression: Scientific American”

Mark Morris: “No more rape!”

In a dance review yesterday, Claudia La Rocco in the inevitable New York Times tells a shocking story that apparently is well-known in the dance world, but certainly is new to moi. To wit:  I was reminded of a destined-to-become-infamous incident from 1984, when the choreographer Mark Morris rose from the audience during a performance of TwylaContinue reading “Mark Morris: “No more rape!””

Sylvia Plath is funny, too

Yes, is.  To readers, the greats can actually speak. Of course it's true that Emerson wrote this down on a piece of paper:  Men cease to interest us as soon as we find their limitations. As soon as you come up with a man's limitations, it is all over with him. Has he talents? Has heContinue reading “Sylvia Plath is funny, too”

Julie Christensen sings the hell out of Weeds Like Us

Here's a story in the Reporter I wrote on local fav Julie Christensen, who just brought out an excellent new record, despite not having the backing or the money. No small feat.  It's a triumph, sez me, and I knew I wanted to write about Julie and her new record when I heard her singContinue reading “Julie Christensen sings the hell out of Weeds Like Us”

Why do we (some of us) watch sports?

I've been wondering why I continue to watch basketball. I gave up playing in a thirty-five and older league years ago, when I could no longer jump. My NBA team, the Lakers, has long since been knocked out of the play-offs. Lefty friends deride the idea of enjoying competition and hierarchy, and there is bothContinue reading “Why do we (some of us) watch sports?”

Popular denier waves off hottest spring in U.S. history

The multitudes at this site have been wondering how long it will take before the most popular of climate change deniers waves off the hottest spring in American history. It's been months.  Well, the wait is over. Anthony Watts finally bothered to opine on the subject, cleverly mixing the minimization of the hottest spring andContinue reading “Popular denier waves off hottest spring in U.S. history”

The Southern California resurgence of backpacking

Too long ago our local master of the backcountry Bill Slaughter and his rock and roller partner Rain Perry led a group of mostly Ojains into the wilderness to a popular camp by the Sespe, Bear Creek, an easy but pleasant walk, well documented by Modern Hiker. We had a great time and, having sent scouts aheadContinue reading “The Southern California resurgence of backpacking”