A lot of our decisions from day to day happen when our brains are on autopilot. This is a feature of evolution that helps us, say, drive to work without having to think about it too hard. But the same human instincts can lead us to make bad decisions. A little extra awareness will help you […]
Was January 6 a sequel?
Rachel Maddow has spent a lot of time discussing the events of January 6, 2021, on MSNBC. But that was not the first time that the United States has faced the threat of a coup. In her latest bestseller, Maddow rewinds to the 1930s and ’40s, when American fascists attempted to replace the US government […]
A hard look at the religious right
Has Christianity been hijacked by far-right conservatives? That’s the argument of journalist Tim Alberta, a Christian whose father was an evangelical pastor. Alberta says that the pursuit of power has overshadowed spiritual missions in many of these communities. His new book explores the conflict between authentic faith and political identity. Losing Ground The term “evangelical” […]
How happy are you, really?
We talk a lot about work-life balance. But have you considered your screen-life balance? All the apps we use are like little attention thieves who hack our brains to keep us engaged. In her new book The Power of Fun, health and science journalist Catherine Price talks about how to put down your devices and start […]
Warren Buffett’s shadow self
A few days ago, in his annual letter to the shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett remembered his long-time business partner, Charlie Munger. Munger, who died last November at the age of 99, wasn’t as famous as Buffett, but he was just as important to the company’s success. Our latest Instaread looks at his investment […]
How bad are your brainworms? 🐛
Have you ever tried to describe a meme or a TikTok feud to a relatively offline individual? More often than not, you will come across as completely deranged. This is especially true with regard to the unhinged world of social media influencers, who, in a better world, we could safely ignore. The problem is that these accounts […]
America’s political spectacle
Is anyone looking forward to the U.S. presidential election in November? Anyone, that is, apart from Donald Trump, who has emerged from relative seclusion at Mar-a-Lago to, alternatively, appear in court and campaign. Often, he seems to be doing both at once. Our latest Instaread checks in. A New Form of Fundraising? Trump’s latest campaign […]
Inside the royal court
The Royal Family has really been going through it, as they say. Charles has cancer. Katherine’s recovering from an undisclosed illness. And poor old Harry is practically American now. Who has been advising these people through the crises? And how soon can they be replaced? A Delicate Balance A good courtier fills a variety of […]
Are you a visual thinker?
From the moment we’re born, our perceptions of the world are highly visual. But as we get older, language begins to take precedence for most people. Visual thinkers excel in spatial tasks (like putting furniture together) and struggle with traditional education. These differences are often considered weaknesses, but they can be assets. Problem Solving Visual […]
Follow the money
The advent of digital currency made criminal investigations a lot more complicated. But blockchain analysis tools used by federal investigators are already surprisingly sophisticated. An investigative journalist for Wired magazine delves deep into the weeds. Like eBay for Crime In California, in 2016, a team was assembled to flush out individual money launderers and drug dealers on […]
