“Exploring life through fiction, together.”

Several books I’ve read recently have pointed out how history comes in cycles. Pandemics, stock crashes, corrupt leaders, and border crises. Wildfires, species loss, civilisation collapse, and human flourishing. ‘Once in a lifetime’ events might just be that. But why do we limit ourselves to just one lifetime's experience?

Fiction Bite - Ever Hopeful

The fish bit the worm, felt the hook slice in.

“Shit,” it said, “not again.”

It didn’t fight, just hung as it was dragged to the surface. The old fisherman sighed as he saw the muddy brown body and golden tail fin.

“You again,” he said. “Why can’t you let something else bite my line?”

The fish shrugged, but the fisherman didn’t notice. He just sighed and reached for his knife. The point hovered over the gills, then darted to cut the line. With a swift flick, he detached the hook.

“Next time, you’ll be for the plate,” he said as he threw it overboard.

“There won’t be a next time,” said the fish. As he had yesterday.

Quote of the Week

‘History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes.’ - Usually attributed to Mark Twain but Quote Investigator suggests that’s incorrect.

Book of the month

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

Final Words

The same books claim history showed these events should have been predictable. And they are in hindsight. But with history being so broad and so deep, with so many variables thrashing through the soup of life, how do we spot the deep rhythms of history? And how do we avoid focussing on the fleeting dilemmas that never make it into the history books? What's your take? Would you be willing to hit reply? It’d make my day to hear from you.

With Love,

Josiah

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