index
000 Manifesto
001 Atomic Theory and Wasting Time
002 Recapped: March 2025
003 Health is Wealth – Notes on Pilates
004 Recapped: April 2025
welcome to
the magpi
𓅪
a passion project by theia gabatan.
Recapped: April 2025
Favourites from my media diet this month. Things I’ve read, listened to and watched.
THIS MONTH’S REFLECTION:
One thing I’ve been thinking about a lot is how power is legitimised and how control over populations is maintained over time. Most people think that these things happen through force, but true power is quiet, softer, targets that internal need for belonging. True power is not won through duress and coercion, it’s earned through trust and belief. We believe that we are perfectly logical rational beings who form opinions and take action based on fact – but we aren’t. We are emotional and illogical.
The reason I’ve been thinking about this a lot is because of the Pope’s death. I am not a Catholic, and I’m skeptical and critical about organised religion. But even I have become fascinated by what has been happening. Sure, organised religion has its shadows, but it’s incredible to me how it has managed to last for so long.
Every lasting institution and pillar of power – the last standing monarchies and the Catholic church – have lasted not because of their hard power. In reality they have none. It is their ability to command ritual, myth and mystery that is the cornerstone for why these institutions have lasted over time. Hard power ebbs and flows, but this kind of power can be sustained with the reinforcement of the rituals, the myths and the maintenance of mystery.
THINGS I’VE BEEN Writing:
Health is Wealth – Notes on Pilates
THINGS I’VE BEEN READING:
[NON-FICTION] [CURRENTLY READING] The Aristocracy of Talent by Adrian Wooldridge
[NON-FICTION] [CURRENTLY READING] On Creativity by David Bohm
[NON-FICTION] [CURRENTLY READING] Invisible: The Dangerous Allure of the Unseen by Peter Ball
THINGS I’VE BEEN LISTENING TO:
Seventeen by Sharon Van Etten ✱✱✱✱
Flood by Little Simz, Obongjayar and Moonchild Sanelly ✱✱✱✱✱
Agadez by Etran de L’Air ✱✱✱✱
Khayal by Kazdoura ✱✱✱✱✱
Keep it to Yourself by Sonny Boy Williamson II ✱✱✱✱
Bad Bunny: Tiny Desk Concert ✱✱✱✱✱
THINGS I’VE BEEN WATCHING:
[FILM] Conclave (2024) – I did not expect to like this, but I loved it. Extremely well made, excellent performances and cinematography. The monologue on certainty was a chefs kiss ✱✱✱✱✱
[FILM] From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) – Literally WTF. Extremely camp, a diabolical mid-movie genre shift, an insanely stacked cast, and an iconic end scene. George Clooney’s second best performance (after the Oceans trilogy) ✱✱✱✱✱
[FILM] The Book of Eli (2010) – I love a dystopian movie and this one was stunning. The plot twist was great. Gary Oldman and Denzel Washington was a great combo ✱✱✱✱
[FILM] Rush (2013) – My annual watch of my favourite racing movie ever. Ron Howard cooked with this one ✱✱✱✱✱
[FILM] The Jurassic World Trilogy (2015-22) – I really love the questions these movies ask about science, technology and biological engineering ✱✱✱✱1/2
[TV SERIES] Black Mirror Season 7
- S07 E03 Hotel Reverie // I liked this so much and the only reason I didn’t love it is because Issa Rae was completely miscast. When you put her next to someone like Emma Corrin (who absolutely nailed this role), it was so jarring ✱✱✱
- S07 E04 Plaything // What happens when you choose digital relationships over real human connection? ✱✱✱✱
- S07 E05 Eulogy // I loved this. A great meditation on how powerful emotions can influence memories. And how easily we can distort reality to fit our own narratives of reality – and how sometimes this can lead to misery and self-sabotage ✱✱✱✱
- S07 E06 USS Callister: Into Infinity // This was so good. No notes ✱✱✱✱
[TV SERIES] The White Lotus, Season 3 – This was my favourite season so far. I loved the exploration of identity and spirituality throughout the entire season across all the characters. I found the ending somewhat predictable but still satisfying. The saddest character is Gaitok – the guy really traded his morals for earthly rewards. He was promoted and got the girl – but at what cost? ✱✱✱✱
[TV SERIES] Senna – Really well made, the racing sequences were a 10/10 ✱✱✱✱
[VIDEO ESSAY] I Hate My Phone So I Got Rid of It by Eddy Burback – Honestly such an enjoyable 40+ minutes and great storytelling. Actually considered getting a timed lockable container after this for a phone prison.
[VIDEO ESSAY] Ben Stiller is Low Key a Genius – I agree with everything in this video.
[VIDEO] The Process of Making a Camera Lens. The Best Optical Equipment Factory in Japan – As someone who regularly complains about the cost of lenses, this has effectively shut me up from future complaints.
[VIDEO] Animated St. James Infirmary Blues by Cab Calloway – Maybe one of the earliest fusions of dance, music and animation. Something about this music video just hits right. Extremely captivating.