For this week’s Circle Back we’re ‘in conversation’ with others in the Substack community, specifically David Michon, author of For Scale (you may remember this piece about toilets that we linked in Circle Back 13), who in a recent newsletter took an approach we love: organizing his thoughts in *gasp* alphabetical order. So in the words of Michon, now presenting, “Many crucial topics and “NEWS,” rapidly discussed.”
A: Aesthetics (SF)
There’s a strange way that certain words become part of internet vernacular and quickly lose all their intended meaning… You might remember when every restaurant review in the early days of TikTok mentioned their “immaculate” vibes. Well, the new word is aesthetic. But what has me tripped up isn’t the word itself, but the way it’s being used. It’s not a particular aesthetic (like: “Oh, that lamp has kind of a mid-century modern aesthetic.”) or being used as an adverb (think: “This lighting is aesthetically pleasing.”) Instead, things are suddenly just aesthetic. “This is so aesthetic.” “That’s so aesthetic.” Every time I hear it, I feel like they’re missing half of the sentence… Does anyone else feel this way or am I just too old for TikTok?1
B: Broadway Chair, Gaetano Pesce (IC)
This month the design world lost a true giant: Gaetano Pesce (1939–2024). The rule breaking designer’s Broadway Chair2, and really the artist’s entire oeuvre, offers valuable lessons for the non design-minded too: conforming is lame, variety is the spice of life, incoherent can be coherent3, resist categorization, wacky is good, so is silliness and so is utility. Also a valuable Pesce Lesson: “Repetition in life is a disaster.”
C: Circle Back (IC & SF :) )
We launched THREE YEARS ago with the idea that Circle Back would be, “an intentional mind dump of content full of ideas, concepts and things that we, well, keep circling back on.” We’ve more or less kept to this call, but the context of its creation has changed––we’re no longer in the midst of a global pandemic and we’re no longer in a long distanced friendship! So, if you’re new here or you’ve been here since the beginning, welcome and thanks! Peruse our archive.4
D: Doing Things Without Outdoor Voices (IC)
Now that OV is a relic, how long will it take for my “Doing Things” baseball hat, colorblock leggings, and exercise dresses to a) amass value on reseller sites or b) re-join the ranks of “cool girl” athleisure.5
E: Eating lots of cornichons (SF)
Went to L’Express in Montreal6 and now I’m made up of 25% cornichons. No regrets.
F: Foodtown USA (not the grocery) (IC)
Vermont-ers, (if you’re out there?!) check out Miles Shelton’s aka. FOODTOWN USA and Jack Kenna’s art in Circles and Squares at Hexum Gallery, Montpelier, VT.7 Both artists take on the utilitarian, the seemingly mundane, and re-contextualize the subjects by distorting perspective, removing context, or constricting the frame. The resulting compositions are calm, richly hued, wonky, and would look so good as a diptych in an airy kitchen.8
G Goodreads (IC & SF)
“Goodreads seems innocent, so it’s a surprise when its users behave erratically.” Goodreads is the most scandalizing and scathing place on the internet. Prove us wrong.
Sample reviews from our feed. Explanation not needed. Reviewers names withheld.
Not to be rude, but don’t you have to have an interesting life to write a memoir?
These people make dumb choices! (But was a fun book to read while sick)
I’m going to resist the urge to eviscerate line by line, but this was a disorganized, poorly researched, shallow, cliche ridden mess.
H: History of the Park BBQ (teaser) (IC)
You know the one, four coated galvanized steel sides, a simple grate on top and perhaps some questionable crumbs. The first ones appeared in New York in 1947 on Randalls Island and Riverside Park. Today, there are 71 designated BBQ areas across the five boroughs. I’m cooking up something larger on the subject of public BBQ-ing, which so far has required me to consult sites such as amazingribs.com, broilkingbbq.com, and hewbrewnational.com9. Watch this space.
I: I Don’t Know How to Bathe According to NYT Well (IC)
I’ve been having A LOT of conversations about bathing lately. Do I smell? This week's New York Times vertical, Ask Well shared “Does my Body Need a Skincare Routine?” The answer is yes. Takeaways:
Cleanse. Properly.10
Moisturize. Everywhere.
SPF. Even on your hands.
J: Jews Might Run Hollywood, but the Christians Run Tiktok (IC & SF)
Are we all being inundated with g*d on our Reels or is it just us?JesusTok is taking over. Exhibit A: girlsgonebible.
Post your most recent G*dbearing TikToks in the comments, plz.
K: Keeping You In Our Thoughts (IC & SF)
We are in constant dialogue about Circle Back. Here are some thoughts we’ve considered revisiting.
L: Laurel Pantin (SF)
I get such a thrill every time Laurel Pantin’s Earl Earl newsletter appears in my inbox. Former magazine editor and fashion director at ByGeorge11, Pantin has impeccable taste and unexpected recommendations that inspire me to try a little harder when getting dressed.
M: Montague Diner (SF)
We’re on a quest for the best spot to get a slice of cake and a glass of wine. Montague Diner is currently in first position… just look at these chocolate layers.
Know a spot we should try? Please circle back.
read: instagram reels
also the title of the definitive volume of his work, released prior to his death “Gaetano Pesce: The Complete Incoherence.”
we promise it’s not long
I’m not particularly invested in either of these options—I’ve always loved my OV items and will do things in them, cool or not
highly recommend
Thank you, friend of Circle Back, Maya C. for sharing news about Circles and Squares.
New Yorkers, see a painting by FOODTOWN USA irl at the Ace Hotel Brooklyn. While you’re there take note of the mosaic murals by Isaiah Zagar aka the hands and brains behind South Philadelphia’s Magic Garden.
yes, the hotdogs
Scrubbing every inch, everyday is overkill and degrades the skin's protective barrier