77. Listening to podcasts while I walk Gen. Jim Moore Blvd. II

It poured rain this morning, but in the early afternoon the sun burst out—and so I had to go for a walk. As I do, I put in my earbuds, and headed down the street, up some stairs, and eventually onto the scrubland bordering straight-shot Gen. Jim Moore Blvd. I started by listening to Terry Gross talking with the actor Jeff Hiller, who's delightful in Somebody Somewhere, which was his first big role and earned him an Emmy. Then, just to stay current, I listened to the New York Times's Daily podcast, about the Venezuela incursion. And finally, it was on to Steve Levitt, on the Freakonomics podcast, talking with linguist and philosopher Steven Pinker. 

I'd be hard-pressed to tell you just what I learned. I am so not good at listening. But I also enjoy listening. Go figure.

I took a few photos along the way.

A random pillow and... picture frame? along the sidewalk

A roadkill raccoon, not ten yards away from the pillow
(I apologize if this is too grisly for you, but... life is grisly)

One of the raccoon's paws (again I'm sorry, but I can't not look)

The Seaside cemetery (no raccoon graves here)

The view south from a small hill

Nearing home, and the eternal construction

Okay, I was being flip above. I did learn something today, while listening. About joy and hope, in the case of Jeff Hiller—he's such a delight. And the details of the Venezuela attack just hardened me even more (if that's possible) to the current "administration," with its utter lack of policy or plans, never mind interest in the American citizenry. What a travesty this country has become. But then Pinker reminded me that everything comes in waves and cycles, that change is constant, and what we need to continue to focus on is facts, and the scientific method, and not succumb to superstition and hearsay—because we now (as we did not a few centuries ago, before the Enlightenment) have that capacity, that understanding of the nature of things writ large. Obviously, not all of us have that capacity; but perhaps enough of us? We can only hope. 

Total steps for today: 14,320.