what does it all mean?

and other small questions

Hi!

Thanks for opening this email / reading this post.

me, when i do something bad but i don’t have the divine right of kings

Sending this from the middle of a gorgeous snow hurricane that will have me cancelling plans until 2027.

• I have seen so much coverage of the Epstein files that falls into the “all men are monsters” category, which despite my words and actions, is not a sentiment I agree with. This long round up of articles and careful explainer on the one thing that unites the abusers and freaks involved: the patriarchy, a system that hurts everyone involved.

• Praying this level of hubris is dealt with in a Greek tragedy kinda way.

• We must use our feelings about Punch the Monkey as a mirror for how we deal with adversity (for me, not well).

• The most recent viral essay from The Cut about women and the husbands who hate them. I still stand by the assertion that the only acceptable hetero dynamic in 2026 is mean woman and man obsessed with her.

• Uplifting content warning: a woman dedicated to literally making sure the recipes aren’t lost.

Tunes to start the week with:

A really solid grunge/pop punk album, Blame the Clown, from New Orleans band Twisted Teens. Sloppy and fun rock that is reminiscent of The Replacements or Parquet Courts, but with a twang.

xx