A list of good reads
- CNN offers a really cool interactive read on Iceland’s new era of eruptions, featuring volcanic drilling that could help power the world.
- Also in CNN: a lovely profile of Nepalese teenage sensation Nima Rinji Sherpa—the youngest person to successfully climb the 14 highest mountain peaks in the world.
- New Lines Magazine reports on Egypt and Sudan’s Nubian diaspora, who are trying to bring an ancient alphabet back from the dead.
- The Telegraph has an eye-opening excerpt from Sakshi Malik’s memoir, in which she opens up about her constant fear of her sexual harasser, and the pre-tournament challenge of weight cutting.
- Hollywood Reporter India provides insight on how theatrical re-releases of old Indian films are giving them a new lease of life.
- Ellen Walker in JSTOR breaks down the sinister folkloric origins of gremlins, far removed from the adorable, furry Hollywood version.
- Smithsonian Magazine has a delicious profile of Italy’s ‘fruit detective’ Isabella Dalla Ragione, who investigates centuries-old paintings to find long-lost agricultural produce.
- Associated Press reports on a melodic greeting between women in Burundi—called Akazehe—which is at risk of fading away.
- Brendan Greeley in Financial Times (splainer gift link) pens a sharp critique on the ‘Econsplaining’ Nobel Prize, which awarded academic work on a historical subject that economics is inherently bad at figuring out.
- Also in Financial Times: A report on Israel’s practice of postmortem sperm revival, which is making fathers of its dead soldiers.
- Also in Financial Times: Emma Jacobs wonders whether it pays to be a ‘company lifer’—executives who spend their entire career in a single organisation.
- Stats Significant excellently traces the evolution of song lyrics since the 1960s.
- New York Times (splainer gift link) examines the mysterious ‘Ketamine Queen’ Jasveen Sangha, who awaits trial on charges of illegally supplying the ketamine that killed Matthew Perry.
- Also in New York Times (splainer gift link): Dana G Smith explores the premise of ‘Blue Zones’—do people there actually live longer?
- Aeon has a lovely essay on a new theory, which suggests that making mistakes is an essential part of being alive.
- Lucy Maguire in Vogue Business asks the question: could Japanese wrestling become fashion’s new favourite sport?
- The Conversation sounds the alarm on Moo Deng’s disappearing natural habitat, and asks whether the world will work to restore it.
- Also in The Conversation: ‘The Terminator’ has turned 40, and still shapes how we view the threat of AI.
- Bloomberg News reports on AI detectors falsely accusing students of cheating and the big consequences that brings.
