Terrible words. The worst words. [#55]
Ugh. I'm not sure it's any better to experience the relentlessness of this year's news from continental US time zones, but I can say it's a real beat down to wake up to a riptide of neo-Nazi-related headlines each morning in Asia. I have adopted elaborate practices to NOT learn about things until I am fully awake, such as sleeping on the other side of the house from my multiple phones, or asking that no one tell me anything about news events until I make it to the kitchen and am prepared to receive it.
What are you doing to cope while we're on this magic carpet ride? Please share!
What I'm Reading
Think about tolerance as a peace treaty. "How long must we continue to hear from idiots who are wrong?" How to fight white supremacy. Important context for this moment from Jamelle Bouie's election night piece. Look back at The Onion's best Steve Bannon coverage. The consequences of geographically concentrating the news industry. The most trusted news sources in America are British? NPR is among "25 Brands That Matter Now," but it always mattered to me. :) The mystery of Japan's low birth rate. "It is great to be a rich, white dude." Large adult sons. How to keep a journal. Kid art and why it matters. Why children watch the same videos over and over and over. Why baby heads smell so good. 110 out of 111 NFL brains had CTE. City crows are smarter than suburban crows. Two tricks to fix your bad posture. A playlist for the solar eclipse.
Work and Musings
Spent nearly a week dodging nukes in Guam (but FYI North Korea didn't ever plan on actually striking Guam). Guamanians were funny and philosophical about possible nuclear annihilation. They questioned their role as a U.S. territory — "tip of the spear" and yet disenfranchised. They played excellent hosts. Before Guam, CNN's Chris Cillizza and I chatted about the view from South Korea. Oh, and 'Corn Frappuccinos' exist.
Watching/Listening
On his pod, Sam Sanders talked with whites about their responsibility post-Charlottesville.
If you haven't seen the much-talked-about Vice News documentary (only 22 minutes) from Charlottesville, you really oughta take the time. I admire how reporter Elle Reeve kept her cool because that scene was intense.
Georg Hegel said there'd be days like these,
Elise
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