December 30
Elon Musk just invented *checks notes* subways and thinks induced demand is "irrational". Maybe he needs more than 2 hours of sleep a night?
December 29
Iconic graphic designer Vaughan Oliver died today. Oliver was known for his work for bands on the 4AD label such as The Breeders, Pixies, Lush, and Cocteau Twins.
December 27
"Movies are getting software updates now." CGI missteps in blockbuster movies (Cats, Sonic the Hedgehog) are getting fixed after completion (or even release), like updating a phone app or even your Tesla.
The most scathing book reviews of 2019. "It's not just that The Mister is bad. It's that it's bad in ways that seem to cause the space-time continuum itself to wobble..."
December 26
A list of the highest-grossing media franchises in the world. Pokémon and Hello Kitty are #1 and #2. The MCU is #10 but moving up the list quickly.
A former Navy SEAL goes back to college at Yale at 52 years old. "I have sure had my mind changed here at Yale. To me there is no dishonor in being wrong and learning. There is dishonor in willful ignorance..."
December 24
Eight trends in dining and restaurants over the past decade. Instagram, small plates, more diversity in the kitchen, vegetable-forward.
December 23
Thoughtful look at how The Guardian has changed their approach to choosing imagery for climate change stories. Fewer polar bears and "fun" unseasonable weather photos and more images of people.
December 20
A list of the 10 bestselling books of the 2010s. The 3 Fifty Shades books top the list.
Finland built a 6-week online course for its citizens to learn the basics of AI. Now it's open to the rest of the world.
Succession's Cousin Greg reviews 15 sweaters. "I feel like a tennis player on a bender, which is pretty much my vibe."
On the devastating impact of Citizen's United on American politics over the past decade. Campaign finance & lobbying is a severely under-appreciated cancer on US politics.
December 19
December 18
Donald Trump has been impeached by the House, "making him the third president in history to be charged with committing high crimes and misdemeanors". Wonder how much this will actually matter in the short or long term.
On small talk, the Turing test, and how to really get to know someone. "True human interaction doesn't start happening until one or both of the participants diverge from their scripts of culturally defined pleasantries."
December 17
From Food & Wine, The Most Important Restaurants of the Decade. Includes Husk, Sqirl, and Superiority Burger.
December 16
From Ted Gioia, The Best Online Essays of 2019. "They are mostly longform essays, with a focus on music and culture..."
December 13
The Year in Stupidity for 2019. Orange Voldemort is obviously #1.
Kabuki Star Wars. "Ichikawa Ebizo XI, Japan's pre-eminent kabuki actor, will take to the stage as Kylo Ren, the conflicted son of Han Solo and Princess Leia."
When Is a Bird a 'Birb'? An Extremely Important Guide. "Rule 2: Birbs are often (though not always) round."
"This simple treatment for diarrhea is one of the most important medical advances of the 20th century." The treatment is drinking glucose and sodium dissolved in water and it's saved millions of lives.
From Wikipedia, a list of obsolete occupations, including cornjerker, knocker-up, and powder monkey.
December 12
The elderly in Japan are wearing exoskeletons to keep working past retirement age. "The father is in his 70s and was supposed to retire but is still working with our muscle suit."
16 Surprising Ways to Injure Yourself When You're Over 40. "16. Standing up after you've been seated for more than 8 minutes."
George Laurer, Who Developed the Bar Code, Is Dead at 94. "Although it became ubiquitous, he received no royalties."
December 11
Jack Dorsey wants to decentralize Twitter. If only the problems with contemporary social media were technological. Blockchain isn't magic fairy dust.
Instagram's "link in bio" is an example of how companies like Facebook and Google are undermining the open web. "Links take us to places where we can make choices that Instagram never would."
Greta Thunberg has been named Time magazine's Person of the Year. Sometimes the obvious choice is the right one.
A Week in the Life of a McDonald's Cashier. "Before I leave for my hospital job, I get my McDonald's paycheck. It's $215, for 2 weeks of work. I know I will be broke by Wednesday."
December 10
39 Things We Overheard at the New MoMA. "That's too arty, that one right over there, isn't it?"
Gratitude, an antidote to dissatisfaction. "On some days it feels like you're in control of yourself and on others you feel like you're not. And this is ok."
Finland's Sanna Marin will be the world's youngest prime minister when she's sworn in next week. "She will lead a coalition government with five women in top spots, four of whom are under 35."
December 9
Vince Carter is still playing in the NBA? He's 42 years old and scored 17 points in 20 minutes in a game yesterday.
Illustrator Christoph Niemann has a new book out called The Paper. "All the proceeds from the sale of this book will go to Reporters Without Borders (RSF)."
Massively overhyped Magic Leap (a AR company "worth" $6.3 billion at some point) is struggling mightily. Who could have predicted???
December 8
René Auberjonois, who played Odo on Star Trek: Deep Space 9, died today aged 79. I've been on a slow DS9 rewatch over the past several months and Auberjonois is such a wonderful part of the show.
December 6
Cord cutting? See if you can get TV reception in your area with the FCC's DTV Reception Maps.
December 5
The House Judiciary Committee will proceed with Articles of Impeachment. Speaker Pelosi: "The president abused his power for his own personal political benefit at the expense of our national security."
December 4
Jay-Z's back catalog is back on Spotify (incl. Watch the Throne)
A list of the most frequently abandoned books by Goodreads users. The Casual Vacancy, Catch-22, American Gods, and A Game of Thrones top the list.
December 3
A love letter to Three Lives, one of my favorite bookshops. "It is the bookstore of your dreams, the deliciously perfect version of a New York independent business, alive with the excitement of customers..."
December 2
Lionel Messi wins his 6th Ballon d'Or award for the best men's footballer on the planet. That only leaves him 3 or 4 short of how many he should have won.
Close Before You Doze. If you & your family want to survive a nighttime fire in your house, you may want to close your bedroom doors
A design tour of the NYC subway map, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. IMO, this design is superior to the beloved Vignelli map, which looked great but didn't fit its intended function.
Does Candide Thovex ever ski on snow anymore? Here he skis the Great Wall of China, which is entertaining I guess?
