I strongly recommend the Federalist Papers as excellent reading, and with a lot of oft-forgotten context for the system of government in the US. A relevant quote from Federalist 51, attributed to James Madison:
If men were angels, no government would be necessary.
(The broader context is discussing the need for both internal and external controls on government powers, but the quite stands on its own as well.)
https://vimeo.com/479844049
github.com/forensic-architecture/models/tree/master/65
3D model timeline about Beirut Explosion from different angles and comparing to videos. They even showed what was inside warehouse.
Surprisingly high quality.
Also, slow motion video where its very clearly seen how shock wave interacts with buildings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkIYjNGiaoA&t=88
A “snow day” now happens by a power outage at school. With very little actual snow anywhere in sight. Very weird if you end up entering the buildings though. Dark in most areas.
Speaking of Judgment Day, I found this documentary: The Coming War on China (2016)
It is of profound importance, as everything else made by John Pilger.
“In America, you can change political parties, but you can’t change policies. In China you can’t change the party but you can change policies.” – Eric Li
Indeed, Joe Biden will hardly remove the US bases in Okinawa and Jeju Island, so the doomsday clock keeps ticking even though we don’t have to hear the anti-China rhetoric anymore. John Pilger is so old now that maybe he doesn’t have to live through it, maybe his documentary will just live on as a prophecy that no one listened to.
Happy new year!
Isn’t it time to rename this topic to 2021 Thoughts, a year with hopefully more positive things happening?
Who says 2021 will be better 
Don’t jinx it!
Maybe just make a new one? 
I thought about doing that, but it feels like stealing OP’s idea 
This year will soon be over, but I think our thoughts and laments about what has come to pass may still persist much longer.
Next year will be different, as change is always inevitable, and of course we all hope that 2021 will be much better and perhaps a different topic altogether.
You better make one, tho, because I want one and can’t make it now, or it will seem I’m stealing your idea. 
There’s nothing magical about a particular date, beyond the widescale psychological effects caused by the significance that societies attach to them. Also, while change is inevitable, they are not always for the better.
Tell that to due bills. 
Nothing matters in that case. Because everything can be redefined by the society itself. All is possible!
Well rituals have their importance, whatever the stupid looking they have sometimes.
