smart & curious
A list of intriguing things
- Singapore’s widely touted contact tracing app relies on software developed by an Indian-American teenager.
- Merriam Webster is changing its official definition of racism due to the single-minded efforts of one woman.
- The rise of face masks will fuel a boom in cosmetic procedures for the eyes and the forehead. But, surprisingly, it won’t affect the demand for lip fillers.
- Think ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ referred to LSD? We present this fab clip to prove you wrong:) (h/t @MikeWarburton)
A list of good reads
- Ethiopia plans to plant 5 billion trees in 2020. Sounds fantastic, right? Quartz explains why this isn’t entirely good news.
- Social Samosa interviewed leading brand experts on Sonu Sood—and whether he can ‘capitalise’ on his moment in the good-samaritan sun. It offers an interesting look at the relationship between charity, corporate brands and celebrity.
- Suresh Menon weighs in on racism on and off the field in Indian cricket—and is one of the few Indian sports writers to do so.
- Mint reports on the exodus of expats from Dubai—driven out by the virus and sky-high cost of living. It may trigger a “death spiral” for its economy.
- BBC News profiles a single multigenerational Indian family of 17—all of whom contracted the virus. It reveals the benefits and drawbacks of a joint family during a pandemic.
