The frogs of Puerto Rico have a warning for us
Full disclosure: I am a Puerto Rican MILF (man into lovely frogs).
So, I would read Benji Jones's article about Puerto Rico's iconic coqui if it were scotch-taped to the back of a moving Cybertruck (assuming the tow truck pulling it wasn't going too fast). But you can read it from the comfort of wherever you are right now. Benji follows scientists into el interior to see how they're using advances in bioacoustic technology to monitor and understand the calls these frogs make, and how the sounds of frogs are helping them figure out how climate change — and the storms and heat waves that come with it — is altering life on the island. BONUS: This article is packed with pictures of really cute frogs.
🎧 The existential struggle of being Black
In this week's episode of The Gray Area, host Sean Illing speaks with professor Nathalie Etoke about the existential movement — you know, Sartre and those guys — and how the struggle for Black liberation is inextricable from that philosophical tradition. It sounds heady, and it is. In a great, accessible, deeply thought-provoking way. Here's a direct link to the audio so you don't even have to wait.
🎧 We still don't really know how inflation works
Another one to listen to! This is from Unexplainable, a science podcast that explores unanswered questions at the edge of science. But right now they're doing a series where they take on the dismal science of economics. In this edition, host Noam Hassenfeld looks deep into the mysteries of inflation. Like what the heck it is, how it works and doesn't work, and why it rules so much of our lives and yet seems to remain completely out of anyone's grasp. There are musical motifs and elaborate metaphors and a couple of theories that you will actually understand by the end of this, thanks to a very engaging reporter who spent weeks pulling his hair out all in service of you … the listener. It's a good one. Here's the direct link so you can go right to it.
Why do all the world's best athletes do Subway commercials?
Some of my favorite articles are the ones that ask a question that you didn't know you had, but once you see it in print, it makes you think, "Yes, sweet Baphomet, why why why?" (Our internal monologues may differ, but you know the feel.) This article from Whizy Kim goes deep into the phenomenon of why the greatest athletes of this generation are all pretending to pal around in, of all the places that they would never go, a Subway.
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My last recommendation is sort of like when you use the genie's third wish to grant you endless extra wishes. Vox's Constance Grady has just launched a brand new monthly newsletter (subscribe now for day one status) in which she sends you book recommendations that are worth your time. And because Grady is well-read in the way that all reasonably smart people used to be but only certified geniuses are now, she's recommending old books as well as new ones. It's a real service. Take advantage!
Okay seriously I'm logging off now,
Jorge
