Five new music tracks for your Wednesday evening. It’s available as an Apple Music Playlist or individually below.
I’ve been suffering from some boredom lately. In some ways it’s a good thing, but it’s definitely not something I’m not very used too. When I came across this article by Neel Burton, I had to give it a read. He writes, “How might we, mere mortals, best cope with boredom?” in Boredom is but a window to a sunny day beyond the gloom.
A close follow up to the boredom, is the benefit of walking. Ferris Jabr explores this idea in Why Walking Helps Is Think. Just today I took a 3-mile walk without headphones and I was surprised at home much creativity arose.
Another topic that I’ve been living with has to do with liminal space. I’m definitely in between. Claudia Smith takes this to driving, parking lots, and hotel hallways. When her narrative takes the reader down Westheimer, I can completely envision the space having spent a few months in Houston last year. Check out In Between.
Some of the finest investigative journalism comes from The Intercept. This piece is a wake up call for the environmental movement, particularly in light of the current administration. Makes me feel some solidarity with those in Oregon struggling to make a difference. Read A Canadian Energy Company Bought an Oregon Sheriff’s Unit by Will Parish and Alleen Brown.
If you like their work, you can donate.
The last piece today is food for thought. It’s a criticism of the left and how they’ve lost their way. It’s not all to agree with, but certainly enough to turn a head. Umair Haque writes, “When the left gives up on its fundamental values of gentleness, decency, humanity, friendship, expansiveness, curiousity — and replaces them with spite, rage, intimidation, hostility, conformity, and tribalism…in what way is it different from the hard right?” in It Was the Worst Decade for the Left Since the 1930s. How Come Nobody Much Noticed — or Cares?
I hope you enjoy these pieces as much as I did.
Kenley
Skip the Super Bowl and spend some time reading! ?
I can’t believe it’s been a month since the last music posting. So, now it’s 2020 and a whole new release of music. Some of these are older (2019) but still excellent.
Enjoy!
This first piece is a great read on public discourse and tech monopolies. I’ve read and respected the author Cory Doctorow for many years. You should look for other work by him! – Inaction is a Form of Action
In The Merchants of Thirst, Peter Schwartzstein takes us to Nepal to discover how difficult and costly it is for people to receive water. The dire nature should be a wake-up call for everyone.
This third piece was of particular interest to me because I know Marc Benioff. We can ask the question: is there such a thing as a good billionaire? Chris Colin wrote for Wired magazine The Gospel of Wealth According to Marc Benioff.
My final read for the day is a shorter piece from the NYT opinion pages. Talk Less. Listen More. Here’s How. by Kate Murphy digs into what it means to listen.
The long reads for this week cover the spectrum from autism, ethics, hate, peace, to communication. I hope you can enjoy one or two of these reads.