Dr Essai

Dr Essai

Essayist, photographer, walker, ciotóg.
07
Feb
In the Reactocene, no one can hear you scream

In the Reactocene, no one can hear you scream

Dr Essai observes that digital technology, plus the tireless and unselfish work of cynical opportunists in politics and business, has ushered in a new social epoch.
5 min read
01
Feb
“He always has his nose in a book,” said his mother

“He always has his nose in a book,” said his mother

Nothing increases one's literary consumption like a coronavirus.
3 min read
26
Jan
We have all been there before

We have all been there before

In his 60s and 70s, David Crosby stared himself down, squared up to what he had become, got clean and as healthy as he was going to get, and forged the most artistically productive years of his life.
6 min read
18
Jan
Just an image and an explanation

Just an image and an explanation

Dr Essai’s amanuensis writes: It’s like this. I was away with my wife on a four-day road trip
1 min read
11
Jan
Grumps produce the best lists

Grumps produce the best lists

Whatever your age, the rest of your life is all you’ve got, so it’s worth thinking about. We embrace a core paradox: Though life has no intrinsic meaning, we can and should lead meaningful lives. If you have any hope of living a meaningful adult life, the one vital question is, “How do I live?”
4 min read
07
Jan
If you already know what “opsimath” means you can skip this one

If you already know what “opsimath” means you can skip this one

The doctor fancies himself an opsimath because he now wants to understand things that take 70 years of life to fathom, 70 years of intellectual crop rotation.
4 min read
31
Dec
Let’s resolve to do it some more

Let’s resolve to do it some more

The doctor does not have goals. The doctor has a life and an intention. The latter is to spend as much of the former as possible reading, thinking, and writing.
2 min read
25
Dec
Dr Essai wishes you a warm and peaceful holiday season

Dr Essai wishes you a warm and peaceful holiday season

All the best for the holidays, friends, and thank you thank you thank you for reading.
1 min read
20
Dec
Those profound moments when someone does something wondrous with a ball

Those profound moments when someone does something wondrous with a ball

The thoughtful fan faces a daily dilemma derived from what he or she knows about professional sports.
3 min read
15
Dec
Be happy, don't worry, and don't try to write about it

Be happy, don't worry, and don't try to write about it

For reasons that ever elude me, I find it much easier to craft language to convey anger or sadness or poignancy or fear than to convey simple joy.
4 min read