Author Archives: F. E. Guerra-Pujol
PSA: vaccine distribution should be FCFS
I agree with the sentiment of my colleague Andrew Fleischman (@ASFleischman), who tweeted the following rhetorical question: “… I wonder how vaccine rollout would have gone if it was just first come, first serve[?]” The answer, of course, is pretty … Continue reading
Lego Colosseum
The Lego image pictured below is from Dr Abigail Graham (@abby_fecit), an archaeology-minded historian and Romanophile. Her article is titled: “Reconstructing the Past: Lego Colosseum & 8 reasons why Lego is great training for an archaeologist.” Source: https://bit.ly/37xiwt2
Do not fold, spindle, or mutilate: a cultural history of the punch card
That is the title of this classic paper by Steven Lubar, which was published in 1992 in Volume 15 of The Journal of American Culture. What other arcane or obsolete physical objects are deserving of having their cultural histories told? … Continue reading
What is Bitcoin?
Which one?! My “bitcoin prior” is that Bitcoin is insanely-overvalued, that it’s a purely speculative “bubble” akin to the South Sea Bubble of 1720 or the even more famous episode of Tulip mania in 17th-Century Amsterdam. Now that I see … Continue reading
Taxonomy of pillar styles
I am considering adding a new “Taxonomy Tuesdays” section as a regular feature on this blog. In the meantime, enjoy …
Taxonomy of dad vibes
This tongue-in-cheek taxonomy is across three dimensions: cartoon avatar, leisure-time activity, and footwear. What other dimensions might be important, e.g. latest-book read, type of car, etc.?
Is John Rawls overrated?
Probably–after all, Rawls’ “reflective equilibrium” concept is pure philosophical nonsense, and the inferences he draws from his “original position/veil of ignorance” thought-experiment are unsound. (If you disagree, ask John Harsanyi.) Nevertheless, in honor of what would’ve been Rawls’ 100th birthday … Continue reading
Two cheers for Cuban surfers
What’s it like to be a surfer in Cuba, a country without a single surf shop? Check out the new documentary film HAVANA LIBRE (trailer below), which premiered on Feb. 19, opening night of the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival … Continue reading
Black history is our history
The great John Lewis would have been 81 years old today! Here is the speech he gave in August of 1963 immediately before MLK’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech:
The 25 Greatest Art Heists of All Time
Here is the list by Alex Greenburger (ArtNews). Hat tip: @kottke. (If you wish to compare notes, so to speak, here is a separate listing of the top-ten art heists of all time.)

