There’s an old detective theory about how to tell if someone’s guilty. You hold all the suspects overnight and see who falls asleep. As the (problematic) theory goes: anyone who is innocent is going to freak out, call for help, pace, etc. The guilty person knows they’re caught, so they might as well get a good night of sleep.
I was thinking about that this week because we had to take our cats to the vet. Our smaller grey cat, Moki, let us put him in the carrier but once he was inside he freaked out: meowed, tried to find a way out, etc. Batman – our older cat who once pried open the doors to a carrier and escaped – fought like hell to not be put in the carrier at all. But, once he was inside, he just sat back and relaxed.
Aaanyway, it’s weird that we keep pets captive in our houses. I like to think they’re having a good time, but still. It’s a rare Saturday newsletter – hope you enjoy it and your 2022 is off to as good a start as possible.
Jacob
DO SOMETHING
The Climate Crisis is here and the potential outcomes range from tough but manageable to absolutely terrifying. Even worse, corporations have spent billions of dollars over the decades to build a narrative that focuses on the individual.
“If you don’t remember your canvas grocery bags, the end of human civilization is YOUR FAULT. Also, we’re selling canvas bags, please buy one for $25.”
In reality, twenty companies are responsible for TWO-THIRDS of carbon emissions.
What can any of us, individually, do? Should we still recycle? Use solid shampoos? Yes, we should do all of those things but climate scientists agree: very little will change until we end the fossil fuel industry. So – divest your pension, retirement funds, or other savings from fossil fuels.
For example: the DGA pension has nearly half a billion dollars. If DGA members pushed to divest our pension from fossil fuels, that could make a huge impact. Same goes for SAG, IATSE, and other entertainment unions, teacher’s pensions, etc. etc.
There’s a great site in the UK called Make My Money Matter that has some resources that can be adapted to start a conversation with your pension manager. I’m starting the process of reaching out to the DGA about this, so I’ll let you know how it goes!
If you work for a bigger company, you may be able to get more information at Fossil Free Funds.
Also, here’s an episode of How To Save A Planet all about fossil fuel divestment:
If you don’t have pension or retirement funds – make sure your bank or credit union isn’t invested in fossil fuels.
A GOOD LONG READ
Figs are tasty biological marvels. Did you know they’re not vegan because wasps get mummified inside them? Or that if figs disappeared the entire Amazon rainforest would collapse? Or that someone who studies tree canopies is called an arbornaut? Like an astronaut…. but for arbors? How fucking rad!
Here’s a delightful read from Nautilus all about figs. Check it out, then spread some wasp guts on a cracker with honey. Delish!
HOT TIP
Illustrator/animator/creative human David Kantrowitz has released a collection of original comics and it is DELIGHTFUL. “Sorry Thank You” is printed on tabloid-size newsprint and is a one-of-a-kind limited edition.
These comics don't exist anywhere else. They’re funny, informative, and sometimes deeply personal. I really enjoyed reading all of them and it made me feel inspired and creative. There’s something about the tactile quality of the newsprint that is really special. Get yours here.
HAIKU REVIEWS
❄️🩸❄️🩸❄️🩸❄️🩸❄️🩸❄️🩸
Dexter: New Blood was
mostly a return to form
(with one part I loathed).
🕵🏻♂️📚🕵🏻♂️📚🕵🏻♂️📚🕵🏻♂️📚🕵🏻♂️📚🕵🏻♂️📚
Agatha Christie:
I get it now. She’s the Queen.
(but soooo many slurs 🤦♂️)
🗽🍪🧛🐣🐸📺🗽🍪🧛🐣🐸📺
A doc that reminds
us how good people can be?
You should watch Street Gang.
SOME GOOD NEWS
Every time I go on social media, I’m hit with gallows humor from a bunch of people coping with how terrible the world is. I really believe we are at a precipice where some really scary shit could happen/is happening but also that we have all the tools we need to make for comfortable sustainable living for every creature on this planet.
Do you follow Future Earth? You should! Future Earth is a beautifully designed Instagram account that rounds up tips, tricks, and the latest info on the climate crisis in an easily digestible way. Sometimes they’re a little simplistic (like the time they retconned Lonnie Anderson’s research out of a post about ice cores) but they’re still a good follow. One of my favorite features is their Good News Tuesday round-ups. Today’s SOME GOOD NEWS is from their account:
I MADE THIS FOR YOU
Our son loves to hide. Can you find him?
Alrighty, that’s it for this week. Feel free to leave a comment or share the newsletter using the links below.
Party on,
Jacob