Thank you for another brilliant article! As a writer and composer, and musician, I resonate with every word. And while I used to ignore Taylor Swift, I have come to respect her, for several reasons: 1.) the woman bent Apple to her will, when it wanted to launch its music service without paying the musicians for the first three months—I mean, we're talking the most heavily-capitalized company in the world, ever;

Like all old nations, China is still living out its ancient contradictory values. Seeking internal stability in a nation of 22 languages and repelling foreign interventions both military and cultural. i am afraid of what might happen if its banks have a serious run, for instance. Too big to fail?

The rate of growth is slowing, but not fast enough... https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/world-population-projections/

Excellent summary of our current dilemma. Rather than people being unconscious of these threats, I think that many understand them at a gut level, and so turn to populists who tell them it isn't true. That above all is the reflection that will destroy us once and for all.

Thanks for the pointer. Good review!

100 best lists are fun. Thank you. For my money, "Trading Places" is the funniest movie I've ever seen, and it remains that way after many viewing.

I cannot see why the multiverse is necessary. It cannot be proven, and in any event, the multiverse answer to the question, what came before the Big Bang, is just an infinite regress.

Science versus conspiracies: thank you so much! My 66-year-old wife got her Pfizer booster and flu shot on the same day without side effects other than a slightly sore arm. I received mine at different intervals (age 70). But neither of us thought about this possible consequence. What is important to remember is that even if a connection is demonstrated (which as you say hasn't been), it is also much more important to remember the millions who died because they couldn't or wouldn't get the vaccine. And get it!

What a fabulous article, Ethan! This is exactly what we need to explain the value of projects like the JWST. And to inspire us!