Grok — This famously savage, profanity-laced letter was written by gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson on August 17, 1973, from his position handling National Affairs (political coverage) at Rolling Stone magazine. The recipient was Anthony Burgess — the renowned British author best known for A Clockwork Orange — who had been commissioned by Rolling Stone (via editor Jann Wenner) to write a straightforward “thinkpiece” (a sharp, opinionated, analytical essay or long-form article, typical of the magazine’s style in that era).
Bought this for my wife’s desk years ago.
Not in a row!
Grok — Yes, this is a famous iconic photograph from the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines. It shows a blue pickup truck (often described as fleeing or desperately trying to outrun) racing down a rural road lined with palm trees, as massive clouds of volcanic ash and pyroclastic flows engulf the landscape behind it.
The image was captured by Filipino photojournalist Alberto “Albert” Garcia on June 15, 1991 (or around that climactic phase in mid-June), during the volcano’s major explosive eruption—the second-largest volcanic event of the 20th century. This photo has been widely shared and recognized, including in outlets like Reddit, historical photo collections, and news features honoring it as one of the most dramatic captures of the event. It highlights the terror of the fast-moving ash clouds and flows closing in.
