✳flâneur — a map of the web's best reading

the landscaper and the con artist - debrief with cece xie

cecexie.substack.com · 1,334 words · saved by 1 readers

transacting in others' desires

the landscaper and the con artist transacting in others' desires Cece Xie Jun 25, 2026 ∙ Paid 12 2 Share Upgrade to paid to play voiceover I have no idea where this was, but it sure is beautiful. When I enter a room, the first thing I do is survey the gathering like both a landscaper evaluating a demolished lot and a con artist looking for their next mark. Where is the host? Where are the groups of duos, trios, quads, and more? Who is standing by themselves, and do they look like they want to be by themselves? Or is that a loneliness I can tend to (if a landscaper) or exploit (if a con artist)

Explore this link on the map →

related reading