PicoBlog

A not-uncommon ruse in film distribution is featuring the biggest star in the trailer, poster and other promotional material while subtly avoiding the fact that they just have a supporting role. The most deceptive in memory was Eddie Murphy getting top billing in “Best Defense” despite it being a Dudley Moore movie in which he barely appeared. “Damaged” isn’t anywhere near that egregious. But if you look at how it’s being promoted, you’d think it’s a serial killer hunt starring Samuel L.

It takes a whole set of skills to communicate at very big levels [in music.] But you sacrifice communication in certain ways to do that. And I'm sure it's the same with food and wine. You cannot assume that you can convey the [same] subtleties at scale. - Damon Krukowski Damon Krukowski is a musician and writer based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Inscribed in the annals of indie rock since his time as drummer in the influential dream-pop band Galaxie 500, Krukowski has since released music with his wife (and former Galaxie 500 bandmate) Naomi Yang as Damon & Naomi.

Alison Rumfitt is a horror writer and a freelance journalist. Her work has appeared in Dazed and Little White Lies. Her books, Tell Me I'm Worthless, Brainwyrms and Morbid Obsessions (cowritten with Frankie Miren), are available from all good bookshops. No thanksncG1vNJzZmiZnJ7AsLrRrqSfoaSpe7TBwayrmpubY7CwuY4%3D

Many of you have asked me what the story is behind my opening and closing music. Well, it’s the first movement of Mendelssohn's concerto for violin, piano and string orchestra in D minor, recorded by my wife Tamsin Waley-Cohen. And her beautiful sound is the solo violin accompanied by the also beautiful Huw Watkins on the ivories, with the support of the Orchestra of the Swan. I think it starts each show off with the right amount of zing and zip.

When did January become the month of grief? Everywhere I look around, it’s smack dabbing me in the face. Is it because in some parts of the world, it’s cold, snowy and it gets dark at 3pm and that this discomfort reminds us of our mortality? Or perhaps because holiday celebrations are over and it’s time for us to get ripped (jargon for “in shape” or “fit”) and conjure up New Years’ resolutions which by default render us serious and contemplative?

I attended a memorial service recently for my friend, Dan Cerrillo, a former Navy SEAL who died of a heart attack last month at the age of 50. I had never been to a SEAL memorial before and I wasn't sure what to expect. It turned out to be a lesson about recognizing and seizing life's opportunities. Dan's family and friends all spoke about "Dan's miracle… ncG1vNJzZmismJq2pLHMmqVnq6WXwLWtwqRlnKedZL1wsMCnqmalmaeupLjE

Israel from the Inside with Daniel Gordis By Daniel Gordis Israel from the Inside is for people who want to understand Israel with nuance, who believe that Israel is neither hopelessly flawed and illegitimate, nor beyond critique. If thoughtful analysis of Israel and its people interests you, welcome! ncG1vNJzZmirpZfAta3CpGWcp51kjaWtzaKcpZ%2Bfp7Gqvw%3D%3D

Tell us a bit about yourself: your background, current role, and how you got started in machine learning.  I was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. I always had an interest in building things and solving problems, with a specific interest in computers and electronics. This is what led me to doing my first degree in Electrical and Information Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. How I got started in Machine Learning:

I spent Thanksgiving, as I do every year, with my extended family in Kentucky. As I noted here last week before heading north, it’s just about my favorite holiday of the year. Football, food, family. Does it get any better than that? Throw in some cool weather and shopping and, despite the surprisingly heavy traffic at the malls, it makes for a perfect … ncG1vNJzZmiokaq5s8XDnqVnq6WXwLWtwqRlnKedZL1wsMCrqbKkXajBqrrGpZyyZWFuhXc%3D