December: Some Interesting Things to Read This Week
Dear Friends,
Happy December! I've got lots of recommendations of great essays to read this month, starting with one that may best be enjoyed with eggnog: Charles Duhigg's incredible investigation into what it's been like to work at Tesla as the Model 3 production ramped up and the CEO melted down. The line that best sums up the story comes from one of the many, many insiders who spoke with Charles: Elon Musk “was always a mad genius, but he was about 95 percent genius and 5 percent mad.” But, then starting last year, the “ratio started to shift, and by the fall it was totally inverted.”
I also wrote a long essay recently, but the reporting and access was significantly easier since I just had to talk to myself. It was about my own efforts to run a sub 2:40 marathon after age 40, but it's really about the science of running and the psychology of aging. (Also, here's the gear I covered, if you need any Christmas presents for running nerds.) Speaking of running nerds, I loved this essay in Outside about suddenly losing the ability to run after many years of deep commitment to the sport. And this one about the differences in the psychology and training between cycling and running. But, honestly, the best writing about running on the Internet is probably my friend Knox Robinson's Instagram account.
Of course there are lots of others things in the world to read about. Like this guide to the 17 investigations that Trump is facing; or this look in The New Yorker at the friendship of two of the most ingenious engineers at Google. If you're in the mood to read about the end of the world, I recommend this Richard Haas essay on how a world order ends; If you're in the mood for a little music, this is a marvelous essay in The Believer on Bill Evans and the author's bonkers obsession with the song Nardis. And speaking of bonkers obsessions, here's a piece Issie Lapowsky and I just wrote on the new Senate reports on how Russian propaganda artists manipulated us through social media, voter suppression memes, phone calls, sex toys, and weird conservative artwork. Seriously.
Ok, that's enough for now! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
best * N
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Trial Attorney at Joel L. Sullivan III, Attorney & Counselor at Law, PC
5 年Damn! I mean DAMN! "Broken Time" must be the best essay I've ever read! As a lifetime jazz lover and particularly a fan of piano trio jazz, that article is fascinating. I've admired all of the musicians mentioned in that article but I've never read or heard Bill Evans' story. Thanks for including it in your collection for this month. It's definitely a keeper. Now I have to go find some Evans/La Faro and Motian recordings.
Councillor for Northfield Ward, City of Port Adelaide Enfield, SA | Assistant HR Business Partner at DHS | Kaurna Yerta
5 年Some of the hyperlinks need to be fixed, thanks.
Director of Brand & Marketing
5 年Just found your post now; however I really enjoyed most of the articles - it’s a great format - thanks for sharing this.
Marketing Specialist at Self-Employed
5 年Its about making stocks stronger and maintaining control no pity needed