Deep thought...

Top Trump Attorney on Universally Terrible Poll Numbers: "Says Who?" https://t.co/0dmIztjadF

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) August 18, 2016

Deep thought...

USA TODAY exclusive: Hundreds allege Donald Trump doesn’t pay his bills https://t.co/FKoMspjkJL via @usatoday #deadbeatDonald

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) June 9, 2016

Deep thought...

And this is why you fail, #Walmart. http://pic.twitter.com/6Cg8u8nY37

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) April 12, 2016

Deep thought...

I can totally relate. "It occurs to me that spending twenty-five years surrounded by journalists has not prepared... https://t.co/mZHTrvQFS1

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) April 6, 2016

Deep thought...

Was not aware that the Constitution carves out an election-year exception to the normal nomination process. Maybe the Canadian constitution?

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) February 14, 2016

Deep thought...

1% through "One Great Shoe": https://t.co/ewbyBznmsj

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) February 2, 2016

Deep thought...

Old-school astromech @ AMC Saratoga 14 https://t.co/4vGLEBM1iP

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) December 18, 2015

Deep thought...

There's an Empire apologist in every crowd. @ AMC Saratoga 14 https://t.co/4YiPwnYwSB

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) December 18, 2015

As My Grasshopper Gently Lies Weeping (Heavily)

I’ve really been enjoying Amazon’s The Man in the High Castle, the alt-history sci-fi series based on Philip K. Dick’s tale of an Axis-occupied America in the wake of a WWII defeat. It’s an entertaining, if not exactly plausible, look at what might have been if key historical events had gone another way.

The story got me thinking about another alternative history: what if the Beatles had nor broken up in 1970? What songs would have been on their follow-up to Let it Be?

I’ve created a shared Spotify playlist that tries to resolves those questions—for science! It draws on the solo albums of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr released within a few years of the band’s breakup.

I expect some objections to this playlist. Some will undoubtedly argue that at 18 songs, it’s probably is a few songs too long for a Beatles album. And admittedly, it contains a few duds.

On the first point, let’s not forget that the 1970s featured a lot of experimentation beyond the 10-single model, including not just the simultaneous recording and release of the John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band-Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band companion albums but George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass triple (!) album. So an 18-song Beatles album is completely plausible, especially under the circumstances I outline below. And come on, let’s not forget this imaginary album comes a few short years after White Album.

On the second point, what Beatles album didn’t include a few clunkers?

If you’re from the popular but misguided “Yoko broke up the Beatles” camp, you may question the presence of Oh Yoko! on this list. I understand the logic: given this conception of history, the Beatles’ structural integrity implies that Yoko is not in the picture, hence no song would have been written for her. I’m going with the theory that Harrison’s justified resentment about his second-string status in the band is the main culprit for the breakup. So in my version of history, McCartney and Lennon keep him happy by giving him three songs on the album (vs. three in the White Album and two in the Beatles’ real final album, Abbey Road). And this is why Ringo gets two songs.

So how would your alt-history Beatles album look like? Am I a modern-day George Martin, or what?

Deep thought...

The Christian Case for Vaccinating Children http://t.co/enWFoNmurb via @tnr

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) July 1, 2015

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 5/25/2015” now! http://t.co/W4URXeC3h9

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) May 26, 2015

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 5/9/2015” now! http://t.co/odtHURKPwD

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) May 9, 2015

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 4/12/2015” now!
http://t.co/60nSGsa1Bz

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) April 12, 2015

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 4/5/2015” now!
http://t.co/kBTbDlThNQ

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) April 5, 2015

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 3/7/2015” now!
http://t.co/mcLn73ww2s

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) March 7, 2015

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 2/15/2015” now!
http://t.co/iHN4iTb4SO

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) February 16, 2015

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 2/7/2015” now!
http://t.co/pdI0N0YoML

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) February 7, 2015

Deep thought...

Xbox lets me play Halo and watch Super Bowl at the same time. Guess which one is on the main screen.

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) February 2, 2015

Deep thought...

Thought the streets and stores would be empty as everyone watched Super Bowl. Not so much.

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) February 1, 2015

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 1/31/2015” now!
http://t.co/D8BTWVUBsd

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) January 31, 2015

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 1/17/2015” now!
http://t.co/NtUotCBYze

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) January 17, 2015

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Race day!” now!
http://t.co/l6q6MwNJ5E

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) January 11, 2015

Deep thought...

Nutcracker https://t.co/L0CWHZNT7w

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) January 5, 2015

Deep thought...

Under the Sea @ Ubatuba - Praia Grande http://t.co/gfwnuD5o9p

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) January 5, 2015

Deep thought...

This store in Brazil reminds me of some store in the U.S. I can't put my finger on it... http://t.co/fJQ4VxP06j

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) December 24, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 12/20” now!
http://t.co/ebH9jDxJnD

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) December 20, 2014

Deep thought...

I just saved the world from Kevin Spacey in AW. You're welcome, world.

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) December 18, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 12/14” now!
http://t.co/JejckEKwfT

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) December 15, 2014

Deep thought...

Just finished constructing a doll house better than the house I live in.

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) December 13, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 12/9” now!
http://t.co/jhrBnipeyY

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) December 10, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 12/7” now!
http://t.co/ksYjmXKHzO

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) December 8, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 12/5” now!
http://t.co/wSjLbBgwq7

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) December 6, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 12/2” now!
http://t.co/sa2LZe53PS

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) December 3, 2014

Deep thought...

My morning run: http://t.co/RGzSlgeVKD http://pic.twitter.com/dy2qeo3t72

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) November 30, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 11/30” now!
http://t.co/V4vAbZ2qiV

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) November 30, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 11/28” now!
http://t.co/7wbhsNziOu

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) November 29, 2014

Deep thought...

Black Friday @ Terranea Resort http://t.co/6nwdbSjlj1

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) November 28, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 11/25” now!
http://t.co/PDfKDgK0n0

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) November 26, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 11/18” now!
http://t.co/6F1HUmGQ8y

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) November 19, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 11/15” now!
http://t.co/tpoKipUdOJ

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) November 15, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 11/11” now!
http://t.co/dcI1Tz0dS2

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) November 12, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 11/8” now!
http://t.co/fHFDCuUY46

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) November 8, 2014

Deep thought...

In the olden days, I'd have to spend my workday wondering whether the dog was barking at the mailman.… http://t.co/dawgFVyhdf

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) November 7, 2014

Deep thought...

I am playing Dance Central. http://t.co/pPR3EkiUAJ

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) November 2, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 11/1” now!
http://t.co/vi392tAhFe

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) November 1, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 10/30” now!
http://t.co/dWX7668hzN

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) October 31, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 10/23” now!
http://t.co/bRAVbUpvWy

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) October 24, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 10/21” now!
http://t.co/gBD347W2WL

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) October 22, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 10/18” now!
http://t.co/aPRehsikV4

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) October 18, 2014

Deep thought...

I am playing Star Wars Kinect Demo. http://t.co/pPR3EkiUAJ

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) October 14, 2014

Deep thought...

I am playing Dance Central. http://t.co/pPR3EkiUAJ

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) October 14, 2014

Deep thought...

I am playing Kinect Sports Season 2. http://t.co/pPR3EkiUAJ

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) October 13, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 10/11” now!
http://t.co/Nf7nNVVtX4

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) October 11, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 10/9” now!
http://t.co/kktYWKHyQs

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) October 9, 2014

Deep thought...

Just finished season 4 of Walking Dead. I can accept the iffy biology of zombies. What I can't believe is how many of them wear suspenders.

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) October 8, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 10/6” now!
http://t.co/6DsWQITnnO

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) October 6, 2014

Deep thought...

Elena to me: "Glitter is a powerful thing."

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) October 4, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 10/4” now!
http://t.co/04Vqbur5Wp

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) October 4, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 10/1” now!
http://t.co/0i4cvR4UZc

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) October 1, 2014

Deep thought...

http://t.co/X0tUUWRBR7 RIP Saturday morning cartoons. Sniff.

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) September 29, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 9/28” now!
http://t.co/72aERx2JzS

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) September 29, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 9/23” now!
http://t.co/DurYuSEL5e

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) September 23, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 9/21” now!
http://t.co/kq5jgyhQ1p

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) September 22, 2014

Deep thought...

We're on iOS 8, and there's STILL no way to clear all notifications at once. Makes a guy wish Apple would copy Android a little more.

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) September 19, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 9/17” now!
http://t.co/CLjQCV2x3a

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) September 17, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 9/17” now!
http://t.co/g2gwC4vGId

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) September 17, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 9/13” now!
http://t.co/S3keNRqNPW

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) September 13, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 9/8” now!
http://t.co/iPYjLYhbPf

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) September 9, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 9/3” now!
http://t.co/G2J6lozQdv

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) September 4, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 9/1” now!
http://t.co/nV72JjYDyW

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) September 2, 2014

Deep thought...

Free market at work: http://t.co/Q5D8JGHDYZ

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) August 31, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 8/30” now!
http://t.co/nup2hz8PUK

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) August 30, 2014

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 8/28” now!
http://t.co/o2Srdt2UHU

— Ken Spencer Brown (@DirtJeans) August 29, 2014

Deep thought...

Huh. Turns out wearing yoga outfits is easier than actual yoga.

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 8/21” now! http://t.co/YU3hl9ZeWG

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 8/19” now! http://t.co/xxWDhtlSHF

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 8/17” now! http://t.co/HHesXV0NZl

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 8/17” now! http://t.co/XD0jx7Ez32

Deep thought...

Watch my live activity “Live Activity 8/17” now! http://t.co/MciOeOO49M

Deep thought...

Elena's first play @ Willow Glen Elementary School http://t.co/N59QJsmuIr

Deep thought...

Check out these funky dance moves! http://t.co/LfcNLhBetB #jd2014 #ubi #jdtv

Deep thought...

If you've ever wondered who would win in an Windows vs. Office battle, I think we have our answer this morning. http://t.co/Srl6Nf5h04

Deep thought...

Keep It Short, via @nytimes http://t.co/VEPEOYiJYm

Deep thought...

I can't stop watching the vomiting Target logo in this BusinessWeek story. (At least I *hope* it's vomiting.) http://t.co/FhfozbDnzB

Deep thought...

Am I the only one who still likes single-player campaigns?

Deep thought...

I guess I can take down the Christmas lights now.

Deep thought...

Another week, another zero-day dicovery by @FireEye: http://t.co/f6Kh4YH3oB

Deep thought...

Man, cellos are expensive.

Deep thought...

Ashar does it Gangam style. #FE_Momentum http://t.co/2arweVJ2vU

Deep thought...

Eye of the Fire #FE_Momentum http://t.co/r7DB5K5Mwd

Deep thought...

Techie celebration #FE_Momentum http://t.co/2ai4rnTFFZ

Deep thought...

Techie celebration. http://t.co/ebTmPyQ5vE

Deep thought...

Disco fever at #FE_Momentum http://t.co/U1XRvN2aj4

Deep thought...

Rob Rachwald, did you edit this? #FE_Momentum

Deep thought...

After convincing me to sit down, order, and eat at her pretend restaurant, Elena is now demanding real money for the bill. #kiddiescams

Deep thought...

Community is back! (In the best possible meaning.)

Deep thought...

The key to bawdy children's humor: always rhyme "France" and "pants."

Deep thought...

I unlocked 2 Xbox Live achievements in Karaoke! http://t.co/fNOCzihJ5S

Deep thought...

I am playing Karaoke. http://t.co/pPR3EkiUAJ

Deep thought...

In a room full of Stanford fans rooting for ASU, pretending to know about football.