Day: July 18, 2025

‘White Light’ and the Element of Life and Death: A Luminous Journey Through Phosphorus

‘White Light’ is a profound and poetic reflection on the cyclical nature of life. Photo: Amazon

White Light: The Elemental Role of Phosphorus—in Our Cells, in Our Food, and In Our World
By Jack Lohmann

Related post: Phosphorus and the Pulse of the Planet: A Look at Jack Lohmann’s ‘White Light’

📖 Review

In White Light, Jack Lohmann delivers a deeply poetic and intellectually rich exploration of phosphorus—the vital yet often overlooked element that both fuels life and marks our decay. Bridging science, history, and philosophy, Lohmann traces phosphorus from the explosive discoveries of alchemy to its indispensable role in DNA, agriculture, and human biology.

White Light is not just about chemistry—it’s a meditation on life, death, and renewal. Lohmann’s lyrical prose elevates the science into something profoundly human.

“Cracked concrete spread out before us, brick ruins, graffiti: the grim equality of destruction by fire.”

He writes not only about phosphates and fertilizers but about our estrangement from the cycles of nature—how we strip-mine the earth and sanitize death, forgetting the ways in which decay feeds rebirth. With urgency and grace, Lohmann calls for a new reverence for the Earth’s resources and a restored relationship with our mortality.

Part science writing, part cultural critique, part spiritual inquiry, readers will walk away with a deeper understanding of phosphorus and more importantly, questioning how we live and die within a closed loop of matter and meaning. He makes the subject easy to understand and accessible to anyone, regardless of their knowledge of science.

✍️Table of Contents

Prologue: Whale Fall

Part I: Life

  1. Sea of Fires
  2. The Acid Test
  3. Lightbringer

Part II: Growth

  1. Stones from Past Times
  2. Rapid Change
  3. The Flood
  4. Peak and Valley

Part III: Rebirth

  1. The End of Everything
  2. Overhaul
  3. Tiny Tracings on a Future World

White Light glows with insight and care, illuminating life’s most fundamental—and fleeting—connections. It is recommended for readers interested in the intersections of science, sustainability, and the soul.

“Cities are composting food scraps. Disenfranchised farmers are fighting for their land. If we listen to those with knowledge—rather than those with money—it is possible to restore the cycles of the earth.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

* Thank you to Pantheon Books/Penguin Random House for the gifted copy for review consideration. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

‘Pay Dirt’ Digs Deep: The Explosive History of Supercross

Murder, mystery, and adrenaline – the documentary ‘Pay Dirt: The Story of Supercross’ is now available for screening. Photo: Pay Dirt movie.

Now Streaming: Pay Dirt: The Story of Supercross

Los Angeles, CA – July 18, 2025 – From Monkey Wrench Films, the high-octane, adrenaline-fueled documentary Pay Dirt: The Story of Supercross is now available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. (Cinematic Red PR, 2025)

This gripping film dives deep into one of pop culture’s most riveting and underappreciated motorsports. Combining murder, mystery, and raw athleticism, Pay Dirt isn’t just a documentary—it’s a wild ride through the heart and history of Supercross racing.

A Global Phenomenon, Decades in the Making

Following its theatrical premiere on January 24, 2025, across North America, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, Pay Dirt has captured attention worldwide.

The film traces Supercross’s meteoric rise from its grassroots beginnings in 1972 to the global spectacle it is today. At the core of the story is Michael Goodwin, the controversial figure credited with creating the sport—currently serving a double-life sentence for the murder of his former business partner and his wife.

Behind Bars and Behind the Scenes

Narrated by Oscar nominee Josh Brolin and directed by multi-Emmy winner Paul Taublieb, Pay Dirt blends stunning cinematography with in-depth archival footage and exclusive interviews. The film features insights from the sport’s living legends, including:

  • Jeremy McGrath
  • Bob Hannah
  • Ricky Johnson
  • Ricky Carmichael

With a rare appearance from Michael Goodwin himself—speaking from prison—the documentary unveils both the glory and the shadows that have shaped Supercross into what it is today.

A Story of Courage, Grit, and Recovery

Pay Dirt also highlights the incredible resilience of Supercross athletes. One such story is that of Jimmy Button, a racing star featured in the film, who suffered a devastating injury that led him to found the Road 2 Recovery Foundation—the official charitable partner of the film’s theatrical release.

“Pay Dirt is a project born from a deep admiration for the skill, courage, and sacrifices of the incredible athletes of Supercross,” says director Paul Taublieb. “It features an all-star cast of riders, and—speaking from prison—the man who created the sport, Michael Goodwin.”

What the Voices Behind the Film Are Saying

“I don’t like when movies try and dictate how you should feel,” says narrator Josh Brolin. “This movie is not preachy at all. It’s not telling you how to feel. It just is what it is—and I think people really respond to honesty.”

“This movie educates you on the sport of Supercross, from its roots to the glamour and the dark side,” adds Road 2 Recovery Founder Jimmy Button. “New and old fans alike will undoubtedly learn something new watching it for the first time.”

Watch It Now

Whether you’re a longtime fan or brand new to Supercross, Pay Dirt: The Story of Supercross delivers high-speed thrills, emotional depth, and jaw-dropping stories.

🎥 Available now on:

Don’t miss your chance to witness the sport’s untold story. 🏁