Amish Quilts

The Smithsonian American Art Museum has the largest collection of Amish quilts in the world. Some of them are quite stunning.

Unfortunately, none of the quilters names are known, probably because they were considered utilitarian rather than works of art. Probably, also, because it was "women's work."

Nice 5min doc on them here:

The SAAM exhibition, Pattern and Paradox, runs through August 26, 2024.


Global eSims

Maybe I'm way behind the curve on this one as it's been a few years since I've been able to travel, but today I learned about Global eSims. Companies that offer eSims to hundreds of countries or regions around the world. You download an app, purchase a plan, and have data / minutes / texts in your travel destination without the hassle of visiting a local TelCo and trying to navigate their plan options.

The two big companies seem to be Airalo and Saily. I'll definitely use one the next time I'm taking a trip.


How a Ragtag Group of Friends Tracked Down a Sex Trafficking Ringleader

Well, this is fascinating.

Michael Pratt hid a massive sex trafficking ring in plain sight on PornHub. On the run from the FBI, an unexpected crew of ex-military, ex-intelligence officers and a lawyer tracked him down using his love of rare sneakers and crypto. For the first time, the group tells their story.
‘She Turned Ghost White:’ How a Ragtag Group of Friends Tracked Down a Sex Trafficking Ringleader
Michael Pratt hid a massive sex trafficking ring in plain sight on PornHub. On the run from the FBI, an unexpected crew of ex-military, ex-intelligence officers and a lawyer tracked him down using his love of rare sneakers and crypto. For the first time, the group tells their story.

Original Blue Notes

Not too long ago, I made a post about the beauty of Blue Note Records album covers.

Some in extraordinary condition recently came into my life and I thought I'd share them with you. These albums were all released between 1957 and 1962 and these are originals so are between 67 and 62 years old as I post this.


Béla Tarr

The Guardian spoke with genius Hungarian filmmaker Béla Tarr about his 2011 retirement and why he's teaching 20-somethings about art in Sarajevo.

Tarr's films are not to everyone's tastes, but I find them rather captivating. It is not hyperbole to say that absolutely no one makes or has made films like Tarr. I have not seen them all, but my favorite of those I have is The Turin Horse, which was his final film. It is about two and a half hours long and contains only 29 cuts. Long shots are his signature shot. Satantango, perhaps his most famous film, is seven and a half hours long.

If you'd rather not invest such time into one of Tarr's films blindly, here's a 40 minute essay that offers a decent introduction to his work. Below that I've linked two you can currently watch for free.

The Turin Horse is online in its entirety, as is Werckmeister Harmonies.

Via Metafilter.


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