Clarke's Binary - Circudyne

A gouache of an Edwardian country-house lawn: a round mid-century theater rotunda rises over the grass, dwarfing the empty wicker chairs and tea table; a manor in the distance.

Carousel of Plenty

The Carousel of Plenty

The season's real subject turned out to be the good life — and the kind of luxury that comes from a better place than scarcity.

Mid-century-style painting of a sunny country-house lawn: a silver flying saucer hovers over the grass beyond an empty wicker chair and a set tea table, a manor house in the distance.

Circular Century

The Circular Century — So What

Clarke said that whether or not we are alone in the universe, the prospect is terrifying. This season's final letter asks what would make us worthy of the answer.