Monday 14 September, 2026

Modernists I love the paintings of Edward Hopper. One of my favourite works of his is Nighthawks, which shows three customers at an all-night diner sitting at the counter opposite a server, each appearing to be lost in thought and disengaged from one another. When asked about it Hopper said, “unconsciously, probably, I was painting the loneliness of a large city.” When walking down the cours of the Provencal village where are are at the moment, I suddenly saw this scene as the exact opposite. The customers are clearly engaged. But the lighting somehow evokes Hopper’s. Quote of the Day ”Conceit is an outward manifestation of inferiority.” Noel Coward Musical alternative to the morning’s radio news J.S. Bach | Aria Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten (We hasten with weak yet eager steps”) | BWV 78 Link Thanks to Francis Fukuyama for recommending it. Long Read of the Day The ‘Rogue AI’ business A mini-essay by me. Seen any Rogue AIs lately? Me neither. But the tech world has…