The Wizard of Oz, Reimagined by Beloved Illustrator Lisbeth Zwerger

An enchanting and original vision for L. Frank Baum’s classic ode to wonderment and joy. Brain Pickings takes 450+ hours a month to curate and edit across the different platforms, and remains banner-free. If it brings you any joy and inspiration, please consider a modest donation – it lets me know I’m doing something right.Continue reading “The Wizard of Oz, Reimagined by Beloved Illustrator Lisbeth Zwerger”

The Science of Humor and the Humor of Science: A Brilliant 1969 Reflection on Laugher as Self-Defense Against Automation

“Our life has become so mechanized and electronified that one needs some kind of an elixir to make it bearable at all. And what is this elixir if not humor?” Brain Pickings takes 450+ hours a month to curate and edit across the different platforms, and remains banner-free. If it brings you any joy andContinue reading “The Science of Humor and the Humor of Science: A Brilliant 1969 Reflection on Laugher as Self-Defense Against Automation”

Fictitious Dishes: Elegant and Imaginative Photographs of Meals from Famous Literature

From James Joyce to Maurice Sendak, by way of weep-worthy jelly and gifted chickens. Brain Pickings takes 450+ hours a month to curate and edit across the different platforms, and remains banner-free. If it brings you any joy and inspiration, please consider a modest donation – it lets me know I’m doing something right. fromContinue reading “Fictitious Dishes: Elegant and Imaginative Photographs of Meals from Famous Literature”

Secret of Adulthood: Pay Careful Attention to Anything You Try to Hide.

Further Secrets of Adulthood:   As I’ve been studying habits, and how we make or break habits, I’ve been struck by the fact that we should pay special attention to any habit that we try to hide.  The desire to prevent family or co-workers from acting as witnesses—from seeing what’s on the computer screen orContinue reading “Secret of Adulthood: Pay Careful Attention to Anything You Try to Hide.”

How to Stop Black-and-White Thinking from Destroying Your Life

“Black” or “white”, “right” or “wrong”, “good” or “bad”, “smart” or “stupid”, “strong” or “weak”. Do you live your life in black and white terms? Is your mood in constant fluctuation, going from great to depressed in under one minute? Many people suffer from this black-and-white thinking pattern, which is greatly influenced by their childhoodContinue reading “How to Stop Black-and-White Thinking from Destroying Your Life”

Five Tough Spring Cleaning Projects and How to Tackle Them

When the birds return and the grass starts turning green, we want to fling open windows and set to scrubbing the house down from top to bottom to match the fresh new season outside. Spring cleaning can be hard work, but it can be made easy, too! (Permanently) Foggy Glass Shower Doors No, it’s notContinue reading “Five Tough Spring Cleaning Projects and How to Tackle Them”

Zelda Fitzgerald’s Little-Known Art

From Alice in Wonderland to Times Square, a delicate dance of the imagination. Brain Pickings takes 450+ hours a month to curate and edit across the different platforms, and remains banner-free. If it brings you any joy and inspiration, please consider a modest donation – it lets me know I’m doing something right. from BrainContinue reading “Zelda Fitzgerald’s Little-Known Art”