Five Bullets 2.17.23
This week: Egyptian Secrets, Restricted Data, East Palestine & more
Hello and welcome back to Circles In Space for Five Bullet Friday, where each Friday I share some interesting stuff I collected during the week.
Good morning and Happy Friday everyone! It’s a warm but rainy morning here in New York City. During the cold weather a few weeks back it seemed winter would hold on a bit longer but this week has brought temperatures into the low 60s and spring feels nearly here.
When I started this newsletter back in May 2022, my only goal was to share the stuff that interests me in the hopes that it may interest you, too. My interests, however, are not linear. I jump from topic to topic but there is usually some through-line, though it may look like an evidence board of some kind. This week’s newsletter is a perfect example, from King Tut to The Adam Deitch Quartet’s Egyptian Secrets to a book on restricted nuclear data to environmental disasters and spy balloons, these topics touch upon subjects I’ve discussed in earlier newsletters as well. Since starting the newsletter, it has been a great joy to share these topics and hear family and friends talking about the things that I spend so much time thinking and learning about.
Leave me a comment and let me know what’s got your attention this week!
This week’s bullets:
On February 16, 1923 British archaeologist Howard Carter opened the doorway which led to the burial chamber of Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun. In my 11.4.22 newsletter I discussed the debate about Tut’s history and his predecessors. Check out more of Harry Burton’s photos of the tomb and artifacts.
This week I’m reading Alex Wellerstein’s book Restricted Data which explores the history of nuclear secrecy in the United States. I’m only a few pages in but the dichotomy between sharing scientific data and classifying said data as ‘secret’ is an interesting dilemma. Fortunately, we live in a democracy where healthy debate on such issues should be normal and ever-evolving. Wellerstein, a historian, is also the creator of Nukemap.
Some current events:
If you haven’t heard yet, there is an environmental disaster unfolding in East Palestine, Ohio after a Feb. 3rd derailment of a train carrying toxic chemicals. Officials carried out an intentionall burn of the chemicals to prevent further explosions, causing hazardous conditions for the city’s residents.
Following the downing of a Chinese spy balloon, the U.S. downed three more objects floating overhead. President Biden says the recent objects were probably weather balloons and not spy tools. [Sounds like an assignment for Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Sculley].
Check out Han Ong’s fictional story Hammer Attack.
I finally had a chance to listen to drummer Adam Deitch’s Quartet album Egyptian Secrets and I’ve had it on repeat. One of my favorite drummers, Deitch holds down the beat in funk outfit Lettuce. On Egyptian Secrets, Deitch is joined by fellow Lettuce bandmates Eric “Benny” Bloom and Ryan Zoidis on trumpet and saxophone respectively and Will Blades on organ. Legendary guitarist John Scofield joins the quartet on several tunes. The album is a tribute to New Orleans drummer Idris Muhammad and draws influences from jazz, soul, funk and R&B.
Got something to share? Leave me a comment! I’m always on the lookout for something new to dive into.
That's all for this week!
As always, thanks for reading and have a great weekend.