internet explorers club | la mort du canon

Beautiful photos of abandoned stepwells in India

Construction of stepwells…allowed access to the ever-fluctuating water level which flowed through an opening in the well cylinder. In dry seasons, every step – which could number over a hundred - had to be negotiated to reach the bottom story. But during rainy seasons…the trench transformed into a large cistern, filling to capacity and submerging the steps sometimes to the surface.

There’s a village in the Netherlands that’s part of Belgium but also part of the Netherlands, the border just twisting and turning indiscriminately though the town.

Late night photos of Los Angeles freeways devoid of cars. A look at the history & restoration of Los Angeles’ Clifton’s Brookdale Cafeteria, which had a “pay what you can” pricing structure, and an inside decorated to look like the woods. Apparently it re-opens this month, so I'm excited!

JK Rowling celebrated September 1st by saying that it was Harry Potter’s son (James S. Potter)’s first day at Hogwarts, and that he was sorted into Gryffindor. These drips and drabs about the universe are an interesting thought experiment into what is considered “canon” for a book series or not (how this relates to Barthes is probably another discussion altogether). George R.R. Martin’s extraneous comments are for the most part considered “semi-canon,” whereas Rowling seems to be taken into the fold. The Atlantic investigates whether or not this constant tweaking could devolve into a George Lucas-level of editing (yikes).

This essay on loving and losing female friends is just achingly real. (I also recommend Emily Gould’s Friendship)

Niche Buzzfeed: How Many Man Booker Prize-Winning Novels Have You Read? (I’ve read 3). Michel Foucault Once Had Hair And He Was Damn Fine.

Etcetera: Pink dolphin! A call for men to take better selfies. Firenado at the Jim Beam factory. Rent is Too Damn High Spokesman endorses Deez Nuts. Super creepy crying candles!