¶ Matins: In a discussion with with Christine Smallwood, at The Nation, philosopher Martha Nussbaum isolates the irrationality of disgust, and argues that it ought not to be allowed to influence the discussion of gay marriage.

¶ Lauds: The obituary, in Gramophone, of Bernard Coutaz, founder of classical recording label Harmonia Mundi. Don’t miss the video clip. (via Arts Journal)

¶ Prime: Don’t blame Wall Street for the European debt mess. Blame Jacques Chirac. His politically-savvy victory in 1996 rendered debt regulation fairly toothless. (Wall Street Journal)

¶ Tierce: The earthquake in Chile may have shifted the planet’s axis, and shortened the day by microseconds. (Sidney Morning Herald; via cityofsound)

And, at The Infrastructurist, Melissa Lafsky discusses the “strong column, weak beam” technology that was instituted in Chile after the 1960 quake, and which may be credited with saving many lives.

¶ Sext: The Rumpus interviews Web log pioneer Jason Kottke. We have always admired Mr Kottke’s fundamental humanism.

¶ Nones: So, does Chinese spokesman Zhao Qizheng mean that the US gets to pick the radio station? We’re reminded of Lord Macartney’s Embassy. (BBC News)

¶ Vespers: At The Millions, fiction writer Victoria Patterson confesses that she can’t write at home. But she knows how to make writing in public work for her.

¶ Compline: Why Tony Judt believes that “‘Identity’ is a dangerous word. It has no respectable contemporary uses.” We could not more whole-heartedly agree. (NYRBlog)

Drop me a line at rjk@dailyblague.com
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