After much speculation for a long time, a deluxe reissue of the Beatles album Rubber Soul is on the way. It must be noted that Capitol’s US version of the album, that was not approved by the Beatles, had far greater influence than Parlophone’s UK version.
A Bat! It’s an Omen!
This is today’s homeowner surprise, up in the living room skylight.
That gap in the plaster looks very suspicious. I’m not feeling inspired to become a dark knight detective. Rather, after a fairly lengthy search, starting with the town animal control officer, I have found a service that’s willing to do a capture.
Update: I am once again batless, thanks to this outfit:
Targeting a Tree Hugger
I recommend following the links in this NYTimes story for more information, both legal and technical.
Federal prosecutors in Atlanta are bringing an obstruction charge against a U.S. citizen who gave customs officers what is known as a duress passcode, which activated software that erased the contents of his phone.
Back in the Closet
My first purchase of a Criterion Collection release was their CAV LaserDisc of King Kong. That was forty years ago, in 1986, when Kong was just over fifty years old.
For the past seven of those forty years, I’ve subscribed to the Criterion Channel.
Criterion continues to promote physical media, and it’s doing that in a fun way with its closet videos. Notable personalities are invited to select up to ten movies and explain their picks.
https://www.criterion.com/closet-picks
Here are five video selections I have made.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=criterion+closet
Platform Blues
Anyone who is actively seeking an online audience can’t just choose between platforms, they must have a presence on all of them. This is especially true for those who are hoping to “monetize” themselves, which I am not.
“Everybody” is on Substack, leading me to wonder if it’s possible to cross-post from my WordPress installation onto Substack. Alas, no can do, because Substack doesn’t allow it, much as Epic Systems doesn’t like to exchange patient data with other medical records systems. This kludge approach from WordPress parent company Automattic isn’t something I’m going to bother trying.
https://specialprojects.automattic.com/2025/08/27/posting-from-wordpress-to-substack/
A Danish Retreat
Before Dear Leader Trumpsky was inaugurated again*, I speculated that audio companies in Denmark would be harmed by his tariff obsession.
Now it’s happened. Loudspeaker maker Dynaudio is quitting the American market.
Your company’s press release cited “ongoing economic challenges and market uncertainty” as the reason to exit the US market.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/flesh-bones-dynaudio-details-us-exit
* No one who voted for Trump in 2024 deserves to feel even a twinge of regret over their decision. They knew what they were getting.