A list of good reads

• Vox takes a fascinating look at the science of near-death experiences.
• New Yorker has an excellent essay on the world’s capitalist obsession with growth, which is actively harming humanity.
• Lucas Dixon in Psyche argues that the positivity pushed by influencers is actually toxic and pretty unhealthy.
• Wall Street Journal (splainer gift link) has a feature on widespread social media fatigue because of excessive ads, bots, and misinformation.
• Chintan Patel in NewsLaundry looks at the Modi government’s welfare schemes, and how much money they actually get.
• Nature has a fascinating essay on NASA astronauts who are training to walk on the Moon for the 2026 mission.
• The Print examines the long-standing underrepresentation of Northeast characters in Bollywood.
• Smithsonian Magazine has a feature on Dr. Lulu Hunt Peters, the female doctor who developed the concept of counting calories in the early 1900s.
• The Conversation delves into the health effects of running, exploring both its benefits and potential risks.
• Ayush Tiwari in Scroll analyses voter turnout data from the last six phases of the elections, which throw up a sharp regional divide.