Events

Continuing the Pittsburgh theme, a view of PNC Park as the groundskeepers set up for the .38 Special concert: ISO-3200, 1/15 at f/2, 50mm, here.

The indefatigable Paul Krugman smacks down the excuses for why the government has failed to get the economy going: [A] destructive passivity has overtaken our discourse. Turn on your TV and you’ll see some self-satisfied pundit declaring that nothing much can be done about the economy’s short-run problems (reminder: this “short run” is now in its fourth year), that we should focus on the long run instead. This gets things exactly wrong. The truth is that creating jobs in a depressed economy is something...

The Roberto Clamente Bridge in Pittsburgh, after Saturday night's fireworks, from the Andy Warhol Bridge: 9 July 2011, ISO-6400, 1/4 sec. at f/5, here.

Pittsburgh, Pa., exactly 24 hours ago: ISO-100, 1/250 at f/5.6, polarizing filter, here.

After almost almost a year hiatus, the 30-Park Geas resumed yesterday in Pittsburgh: Not only did I see a Cubs 6-3 win and a surprise, game-ending double play, but also a .38 Special concert complete with fireworks: (My theory, not shared by the people around me, was that the fireworks were to celebrate the Cubs win.) More photos today and tomorrow.

When in Rome: 13 October 2007, Canon 20D at ISO-200, 1/400 at f/6.3, 76mm.

The Economist's Prospero blog piles on the Cubs after attending the Crosstown Classic last week: Teams like the Cubs give people a safe space in which to lose. Fans get the benefits of commiseration without incurring any real costs. The predictable losers also allow other teams to win. So really the Sox fans should be grateful for the Cubs. Such losers may not be so lovable on scrutiny, but their ineptitude has an extra civic function: they take one for the team. They’re a sacrifice fly. And on the...