What is the place of hospitality in a hostile world? Is there value in bringing kindness and conscientiousness to a moon filled with the cruel and craven, or is such an expenditure of effort wasted against the endless waves of spite which crash, again and again, against the psyche of all who live?
“Perhaps,” some think, “in its scarcity, it has risen in worth, like a rare volume’s cost increasing when copies are lost or destroyed.” Or, yet miee viciously, you might see it as a weapon honed by its own absence, a tool sharpened (somehow) by disuse; niceties ready to be snapped like a whip, guiding those fools so desperate to hear a few pleasant words that they turn to cattle coming to call.
Does hospitality work, thus? Is it another piece of kit in the toolbox, another cartridge in the bandolier? Or is this a category mistake? Is it something altogether different, a mode and not a thing. Indeed, the hammer may be swung politely, the blade drawn in honorable invitation.
So what does that make the open hand?
Hosted by Austin Walker (@austinwalker on bluesky)
Featuring Andrew Lee Swan, Jack de Quidt, Janine Hawkins and Sylvi Bullet
Produced by Ali Acampora
Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp)
Cover Art by by Oddesque
With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Aster Maragos, Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint