Longread #224 -- Stormy Monday -- 12/31/12

It seems odd to post about the blues on one of the year's biggest party nights, but I'm of the opinion that just about any time is a good time for the blues. Even though the subject matter is often sad, blues music itself is full of energy and life. To me, it's an especially poignant reminder of how we can find beauty in almost any situation and how creativity and dedication can help us to overcome life's trials and tribulations. As we reflect on 2012 and look forward to 2013, I hope we can all make the most of both the good times and the bad times.

Today's longread is a poem from Billy Collins. The poem itself isn't long, but it's worthy of a long read (or maybe being read more than once). Below the poem, I've included a link to Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan playing "Stormy Monday" in 1983. It's a great performance (as is the whole video, which is definitely worth your time). Happy New Year!

"The Blues" by Billy Collins
Published in Sailing Alone Around the Room, 2001

Much of what is said here
must be said twice,
a reminder that no one
takes an immediate interest in the pain of others.

Nobody will listen, it would seem,
if you simply admit
your baby left you early this morning
she didn't even stop to say good-bye.

But if you sing it again
with the help of the band
which will now lift you to a higher,
more ardent, and beseeching key,

people will not only listen,
they will shift to the sympathetic
edges of their chairs,
moved to such acute anticipation

by that chord and the delay that follows,
they will not be able to sleep
unless you release with one finger
a scream from the throat of your guitar

and turn your head back to the microphone
to let them know
you're a hard-hearted man
but that woman's sure going to make you cry.

"Stormy Monday" at In Session with Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZB57b3lPQE#t=29m29s

Eric

Longread #223 -- The GOP and Me -- 12/28/12

The author of today's longread, Rany Jazayerli, is one of my favorite bloggers about the Kansas City Royals. While his writing normally focuses on baseball, he occasionally diverges into politics  In this article, he examines how the Republican Party lost its support from Muslim voters as a result of the words and actions of key party members in the years after September 11, 2001.

I think Rany's analysis here is important and thought-provoking, but I also struggle with his position that absent these changes, the GOP was a party that better represented his interests and the interests of many Muslims. The idea that Republicans are the party of small business and limited government has been rooted more in marketing than in reality for quite some time. Nevertheless, this article goes to show how quickly a political party can alienate its allies.

Also...go Royals!

"The GOP and Me" by Rany Jazayerli
Published at Rany on the Royals, November 6, 2012
http://www.ranyontheroyals.com/2012/11/the-gop-and-me.html

Eric

Longread #222 -- The Heart of Darkness -- 12/27/12

It's not everyday that you find a quality longread in an airline's in-flight magazine. Today's article comes from Spirit Magazine, which is published by Southwest Airlines. It documents the unusual paths that brought two men together to help reduce violence in America particularly among America's youth. As we have faced a number of tragic violent situations recently, I think it offers a compelling message about the importance of forgiveness not just for the health of the victims but also for the health of society in general.

"The Heart of Darkness" by Megan Feldman
Published in Spirit Magazine, November 2012
http://www.spiritmag.com/features/article/the_heart_of_darkness/?src=longreads

Eric

Longread #221 -- Eliminate Sports Welfare -- 12/26/12

Today's longread looks at one of the darker sides of sports in America. While we often think of the joys of going to sporting events or the camaraderie of being a sports fan, this article shows how commonly we (as taxpayers) are getting fleeced in order to line the pockets of team owners and players. I love sports, but I have no sympathy for owners who complain whenever these financial incentives are threatened. I strongly agree with Hruby -- let's eliminate sports welfare. It may not solve the much larger fiscal problems facing our country, but it certainly wouldn't hurt.

"Let's Eliminate Sports Welfare" by Patrick Hruby
Published by Sports on Earth, December 12, 2012
http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/40595178/?src=longreads&buffer_share=8c5d5

Eric

Longread #220 -- The Year in Band Names -- 12/21/12

There's not a lot for me to say to introduce today's longread. If you're going to read one "2012 in review" article, I'd suggest this one.

Note: I couldn't get a single page version, so you will want to click to page 2 to read the full article.

"Fartbarf, Neon Piss, and more: the year in band names 2012" by Kyle Ryan
Published in the Onion A.V. Club, December 13, 2012
http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-year-in-band-names-2012,89829/

Eric

Longread #219 -- The Online Cat-Industrial Complex -- 12/20/12

In another exploration of strange subcultures, today's longread looks at the internet's most famous cats and the people behind their videos. It's a light read but an interesting case study of a seemingly fringe subculture that has exploded in terms of overall popularity.

"In Search of the Living, Purring, Singing Heart of the Online Cat-Industrial Complex" by Gideon Lewis-Kraus
Published in Wired, August 31, 2012
http://www.wired.com/underwire/2012/08/ff_cats/all/?src=longreads

Eric

Longread #218 -- Waiting for Bigfoot -- 12/19/12

Today's longread offers another look at a fringe group that holds fast to a belief despite a preponderance of contradictory evidence. It turns out there is an active scene of people searching to find bigfoot. As this article touches on, it seems that the social element is just as important as the prospect of actually seeing bigfoot. This is likely the case for many fringe groups -- it's not so much the belief that holds everyone together but rather the sense of connectedness and being part of a community.

"Waiting for Bigfoot" by Colleen O'Neil
Published in Outside Online, November 29, 2012
http://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/north-america/united-states/ohio/Waiting-for-Bigfoot.html?page=all&src=longreads

Eric

Longread #217 -- After the Non-Apocalypse -- 12/18/12

As you have undoubtedly heard, there are a host of people who believe that the Mayans predicted that the world would end in just a few days time. These doomsayers are far from the first to proclaim with absolutely certainty that "the end is coming." Today's longread looks at another set of people who put full faith in a coming apocalypse -- the followers of Harold Camping -- and how they reacted when it didn't come.

"A Year After the Non-Apocalypse: Where Are They Now?" by Tom Bartlett
Published in Religion Dispatches, December 18, 2012
http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/culture/5983/a_year_after_the_non-apocalypse:_where_are_they_now/

Eric

Longread #216 -- They Retort, You Decide -- 12/17/12

I've been meaning to read this article for months and just go around to it. While it would have been an insightful read prior to the Presidential debates, it's also remarkably interesting to look at in hindsight. Given the way the debates and the election unfolded, this longread seems quite prescient. It analyzes the importance of Presidential debates and the debating styles of both Romney and Obama. Though less timely now, this article is still definitely worth a read.

"They Retort, You Decide!" by Robert Draper
Published in GQ, October 2012
http://www.gq.com/news-politics/politics/201210/presidential-debate-2012-robert-draper-gq-october-2012?printable=true

Eric

Longread #215 -- My Mother's Cooking -- 12/14/12

This article from the Life, Interrupted series by Suleika Jaouad, who is documenting her battle with leukemia in her early 20s. She describes how cancer and cancer treatment has changed her physical and emotional relationship with food. It is an eye-opening reminder of how food takes on significance for us and how much we often take for granted when it comes to appreciating the food on our plates.

Happy Friday. May your weekend's meals be meaningful.

For more from the Life, Interrupted series, check out Longread #172.

"Life, Interrupted: My Mother's Cooking" by Suleika Jaouad
Published in the New York Times, December 13, 2012
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/13/life-interrupted-my-mothers-cooking/

Eric

Longread #214 -- Last Call -- 12/13/12

So far, this week's longreads have been focused on food. Today's article is about drinks, specifically beer. It looks at the changing dynamics of the global beer industry and how a few major players have consolidated to control the market for production and distribution.

"Last Call" by Tim Heffernan
Published in the Washington Monthly, November/December 2012
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/november_december_2012/features/last_call041131.php?page=all&src=longreads&buffer_share=842dd

Eric

Longread #213 -- Mindful Eating -- 12/12/12

A few months into my weight-loss journey, I came to a realization: I needed to change my relationship with food. Up until that point, I operated by a principles that were unstated yet carefully adhered to -- a.) Taste is the key driver of what I should eat, b.) If something tastes good, eat more of it, and c.) I know what I like and what I don't and that need not be questioned. It's not hard to see why these were the tenets of a tremendously unhealthy diet. Not only did I choose foods that were typically higher in calories, carbs, and fat, but I also ate enormous quantities of these foods. Even worse, when confronted with something unusual or outside of my comfort zone (most vegetables, for example), I would refuse to even try them.

Starting the Weight Watchers program helped me realize that this approach was unsustainable. I recognized that tradeoffs had to be made -- I didn't have to completely give up the foods that I liked, but I had to seriously reduce my portions. In addition, I expanded my willingness to try new foods and in the process discovered dozens of healthy options that I enjoyed. Despite these changes, though, I still often find myself eating way too much, binge-eating unhealthy foods, or slipping back into the types of habits that caused me to be obese in the first place. Over time, I've tried to focus on sticking to the guidelines for healthy eating (mostly derived from Weight Watchers) while recognizing that I will never be perfect. However, when I break from the guidelines, my goal is for it to meaningful. When at a potluck or a restaurant, I try to ask "is eating this meaningful?" For example, the delicious cupcakes that will be at my holiday party tonight, made by a co-worker who has been a professional baker? I'll eat those because both the setting (the holiday party) and the food (Dave's cupcakes) are meaningful to me. But the cupcakes from the supermarket bakery that often wind up in potlucks? I'll pass because they aren't really meaningful.

This approach isn't easy, and even with trying to focus on meaningful food choices, I often make mistakes. Today's longread looks at the idea of mindful eating, and it includes a number of practices that can be used to help us change our relationship to food. As the article notes, this relationship is fluid and takes time to change, which I think is a message that helps combat the fatalism about weight that was discussed in yesterday's longread.

"Mindful Eating as Food for Thought" by Jeff Gordinier
Published in the New York Times, February 7, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/08/dining/mindful-eating-as-food-for-thought.html?_r=1&ref=dining&pagewanted=all

Eric

Longread #212 -- The Pima Paradox -- 12/11/12

Today's longread from Malcolm Gladwell continues on yesterday's theme of obesity in America. My favorite part of this article is Gladwell's takedown of the fat loss industry that churns out a steady stream of supposedly-unique diet books. It's a helpful reminder that  if something sounds too good to be true, it almost assuredly is.

"The Pima Paradox" by Malcolm Gladwell
Published in the New Yorker, February 2, 1998
http://www.gladwell.com/1998/1998_02_02_a_pima.htm

Eric

Longread #211 -- The F Word -- 12/10/12

The issue of obesity comes up often in the media. As one of America's most daunting health challenges, it's certainly no surprise to see a great deal of scientific articles and other policy-related pieces about tackling obesity. One element of this issue that isn't always addressed, though, is the psychology of being "fat." Today's longread looks at this "f word" in the context of her own children and how to move our society away from the hurtful judgments that can come from stigmatizing people who are overweight.

"The F Word" by Jennifer Weiner
Published in Allure, October 2012
http://www.allure.com/allure-magazine/2012/10/fat-the-f-word?printable=true&src=longreads

Eric

Longread #210 -- Naming the Dead -- 12/7/12

Today's longread looks at a field that is glorified on TV (in crime scene shows like CSI) but that in reality requires diligent work to solve complex challenges. In particular, this article focuses on identifying remains with DNA. It highlights one leader in the field and her efforts to help identify the dead at Ground Zero as well as her role in resolving numerous other high- and low-profile cases. I found the profile of Dr. Roby to be a refreshing contrast to the glamorous criminal forensics experts that are found on prime time TV dramas.

"Naming the Dead at Ground Zero" by Julia Heaberlin
Published in D Magazine, November 2012
http://www.dmagazine.com/Home/D_Magazine/2012/November/Rhonda_Roby_Naming_the_Dead_at_Ground_Zero.aspx?p=1&src=longreads

Eric

Longread #209 -- Tough Mudder -- 12/6/12

Today's longread is a profile of the Tough Mudder races and the business team behind them. As the number of races -- 5Ks, 10Ks, half and full marathons, triathlons -- has increased (at least judging by the number of event t-shirts seen in public), it is not surprising that certain events have seized on the level of difficulty as a means of differentiation. One one hand, I understand the appeal of Tough Mudder and the concept of pushing yourself to an extreme. On the other hand, though, I've spent way too much time in physical therapy to risk injuring myself in circumstances like this. For me, the benefits simply aren't worth the risks.

Beyond just analyzing the psychology of participating in Tough Mudder, this article also looks at Tough Mudder as a business. Clearly, effective marketing has been essential as they've found a way to effectively stoke people's competitive fire.

If you're interested in another extreme race that puts Tough Mudder to shame but that isn't focused on building a business, check out Longread #147.

"Tough Mudder: Mud, Sweat & No Tears" by Josh Eells
Published in Men's Journal, October 2012
http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/print-view/tough-mudder-mud-sweat-no-tears-20121030

Eric

Longread #208 -- Re-Awakenings -- 12/5/12

Over the years, it seems that I've lost the ability to sleep in. Even on weekends or holidays, I typically have a hard time sleeping late into the morning. I am often envious of people who seem to be able to sleep on command and sleep as long as time allows. In today's longread, though, we see an example of someone who can sleep and sleep but can't get rested. It also looks at how medical science and past experience in sleep research influenced how her case was handled. It's a reminder that science often proceeds in fits and starts and that there are many challenges to effectively treating rare disorders.

"Re-Awakenings" by Virginia Hughes
Published in The Last Word on Nothing, November 22, 2012
http://www.lastwordonnothing.com/2012/11/22/re-awakenings/

Eric

Longread #207 -- The Dark Side of Thomas Jefferson -- 12/4/12

Thomas Jefferson is one of the most iconic figures in American history. In addition to having served as an important actor in the independence movement and as the third President, Jefferson is also known for being a leader in driving early American political ideals (as represented in the Declaration of Independence). This historical article takes a closer look at Jefferson's legacy and identifies the divergence of his words and deeds with regard to slavery. As the author argues, Jefferson's opposition to slavery withered when it came into conflict with his own financial interests. After the last few years of our country's history, the cynic in me can't help but wonder if sacrificing the good of "the people" to individual financial interests that isn't the true nature of American political ideology.

"The Dark Side of Thomas Jefferson" by Henry Wiencek
Published in Smithsonian Magazine, October 2012
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/The-Little-Known-Dark-Side-of-Thomas-Jefferson-169780996.html?c=y&story=fullstory

Eric

Longread #206 -- A Cracked Code -- 12/3/12

Last night, I was watching an episode of the BBC TV series "Sherlock." In the episode, Sherlock Holmes is trying to determine the meaning of certain messages written with a cypher. At one point, he makes a comment about needing to creatively approach the code since modern technologies won't be able to break down the ancient cypher. Today's longread proves Holmes wrong -- modern code-breaking tools can in fact be extremely useful in decoding ancient cyphers. This story from Wired is interesting in analyzing both the process of breaking the code and what the code revealed.

"They Cracked This 250-Year-Old Code, and Found a Secret Society Inside" by Noah Shachtman
Published in Wired, November 16, 2012
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/11/ff-the-manuscript/all/

Eric

Longread #205 -- Ignoring the Science on Mammograms -- 11/30/12

Yesterday's longread looked at new approaches to improve the efficiency of medical care in the U.S. It focused largely on proposals to improve patient-doctor communication in ways that increase the use of palliative care in lieu of expensive, ineffective, and aggressive cancer treatments near the end of life. As explained in that article, reforming the system was at odds with the financial incentives for oncologists, many of whom garner their largest percentage of income through drug prescriptions.

Today's longread looks at a similar issue but at the opposite end of the cancer continuum: early detection. A central theory that has guided many years of cancer research and clinical practice is the idea that earlier detection of cancer means better outcomes for patients. While this is true on a general level (an earlier stage cancer almost always has a better prognosis), the challenge lies in finding tests that work effectively for early detection. Mammograms, which have become a staple of preventive medicine for women over age 40, are imperfect in this regard. While the research results are more complicated than this article implies, much of the opposition to changes to mammogram screening guidelines (such as those two years ago that suggested a starting age of 50 instead of 40) is based on what the author calls the "mammogram economy." This isn't to say that we should do away with screening mammography altogether, but we should do our best to let science guide us toward standards that both reduce costs and improve the well-being of patients.

For anyone interested in the research that has been done on mammograpy as a screening tool for breast cancer, here are some useful links:

• National Cancer Institute breast cacner screening summary: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/breast/Patient/page1/AllPages
• NCI breast cancer screening summary for health professionals (this is much more technical but goes through the studies one-by-one): http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/breast/healthprofessional/page1/AllPages
• US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations: http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsbrca.htm

"Ignoring the Science on Mammograms" by David H. Newman, M.D.
Published in the New York Times, November 28, 2012
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/28/ignoring-the-science-on-mammograms/

Eric

Longread #204 -- Against the Odds -- 11/29/12

The rising costs of medical care in the U.S. are one of the biggest challenges to our country's long-term financial picture. For years, health care costs have been rising although with limited demonstrated benefits to the overall health of Americans. Virtually everyone agrees that the system is broken, but of course, there is tremendous disagreement about how to fix it. This longread looks at one initiative being conducted at Stanford to identify key areas where costs can be reduced without negatively affecting the quality of care. The most frustrating aspect of this story is how bottom lines become prioritized over the health of patients and the long-term health of the medical care system. Nevertheless, the concept behind this initiative is important and may likely help lead us toward positive solutions to the looming health care crisis.

"Against the Odds" by Kris Newby
Published in the Stanford Medicine Magazine, Fall 2012
http://stanmed.stanford.edu/2012fall/article3.html?src=longreads

Eric

Longread #203 -- The Plot Against Occupy -- 11/28/12

Criticisms of U.S. counter-terrorism policies are certainly not new. Especially since the start of the "War on Terrorism," analysts have exposed ways in which the efforts of U.S. agencies were ineffectual, racist, and threatening to fundamental civil liberties. This article extends these critiques of the FBI and the broader practices of U.S. counter-terrorism. First, the article points out that the reaches of these agencies has expanded to include targeting virtually any groups with strong dissenting voices such as the Occupy movement. Second, the tactics used to foil supposed terrorist plots reek of entrapment. The end result is counter-terrorism missions that not only chill free expression but that also spur on the terrorist acts that are supposedly being prevented. These policies may create positive headlines for law enforcement, but an informed analysis reveals they are probably doing nothing to make us safer.

"The Plot Against Occupy" by Sabrina Rubin Erdely
Published in Rolling Stone, September 17, 2012
http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/the-plot-against-occupy-20120926?print=true&src=longreads

Eric

Longread #202 -- Cuba's New Now -- 11/27/12

Even though the Cold War has been over for more than two decades, Cuba remains a pariah in the eyes of the U.S. During this time, though, Cuba has undergone significant changes as a result of the resignation of Fidel Castro and the changing dynamics of international politics and economics. This article looks at the complex challenges facing Cuba as a country as well as everyday Cubans who struggle with the day-to-day challenges of a country in an ambiguous state of change.

"Cuba's New Now" by Cynthia Gorney
Published in National Geographic, November 2012
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/11/new-cuba/gorney-text?src=longreads

Eric

Longread #201 -- Rethinking the Computer -- 11/26/12

With our society's growing reliance on technology, the issues of computer and network security have become increasingly important. It seems that every few months there is another major security flaw that is exploited to expose the confidential information of governments, corporations, or individuals. This longread looks at a computer scientist who is rethinking the entire paradigm of the computer to try to identify long-term solutions to ensure cyber-security.

"Killing the Computer to Save It" by John Markoff
Published in the New York Times, October 29, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/30/science/rethinking-the-computer-at-80.html?src=dayp&pagewanted=all&_r=0

Eric

Longread #200 -- A Soldier of Kindness -- 11/21/12

Today's longread is one of the more moving pieces that I have read recently. As we approach tomorrow's Thanksgiving holiday, stories of people like Army Lt. Col. David Cabrera remind me of how important it is to be thankful and to turn that gratitude into meaningful and positive interactions with other people.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"As first military social work officer killed in action, Army Lt. Col. David Cabrera was a ‘soldier of kindness’" by Jim Sheeler

Published in the Washington Post, November 8, 2012

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/as-first-military-social-work-officer-killed-in-action-army-lt-col-david-cabrera-was-a-soldier-of-kindess/2012/11/02/0dce8cf4-e1a6-11e1-98e7-89d659f9c106_print.html

Eric

Longread #199 -- The GOP & Demographics -- 11/20/12

Now that a few weeks have passed since the elections, analysts have had more time to break down what happened and predict how national politics may evolve over the coming years. One of the biggest issues that has been discussed is the need for the GOP to reach out to minority voters with a specific emphasis placed on Latino voters. In this longread, Nate Cohn, a former debater at my alma mater of Whitman College, breaks down why a focus on reaching out to Latino voters won't be enough to overcome the challenges facing the Republican Party.

"The GOP’s Challenge Extends Beyond Hispanics and Immigration Reform" by Nate Cohn
Published by the New Republic, November 15, 2012
http://www.tnr.com/blog/electionate/110159/the-gops-challenge-extends-beyond-hispanics-and-immigration-reform#

Eric

Longread #198 -- The Truth About Brining Turkey -- 11/19/12

I'm on vacation this week but still want to post some Thanksgiving-themed longreads. The best way to cook a turkey is a matter of considerable debate. In today's longread, we turn to science as J. Kenji López-Alt offers his insightful take on the question of brining. I'm not sure he will win over people who have been brining for years and years, but he does make a compelling case.

"Food Lab: The Truth About Brining Turkey" by J. Kenji López-Alt

Published on Serious Eats, November 5, 2012

http://www.seriouseats.com/2012/11/the-food-lab-the-truth-about-brining-turkey-thanksgiving.html

Eric

Longread #197 -- The Luxury Repo Men -- 11/16/12

I've certainly posted plenty of articles on this blog related to the housing bubble, unsustainable debt for American families, and the resulting foreclosure crisis. This longread takes a slightly different angle and looks at luxury repo men -- the people who track down high-value assets of wealthy people who have stopped paying their bills.

Hope you enjoy the article. Happy Friday!

"The Luxury Repo Men" by Matthew Teague
Published in Business Week, October 25, 2012
http://www.businessweek.com/printer/articles/78322-the-luxury-repo-men

Eric

Longread #196 -- Paradise With An Asterisk -- 11/15/12

As short days and cold, rainy weather descends on Seattle, I have found myself daydreaming a lot recently about finding a tropical beach and relaxing in the sunshine. In some ways, Bikini Atoll is the exact type of place where I would want to be. Unfortunately, this tropical paradise was subject to years of American nuclear testing with substantial impacts on the local environment. More problematic than the environmental problems, though, is how the people native to Bikini Atoll were treated during this period. In some ways reminiscent of the transgressions made in the name of "Manifest Destiny" in the colonization of the American west, native Bikinians were relocated on multiple occasions, permanently altering the social and cultural fabric of the Bikinian people. This longread examines how the U.S. quest for nuclear weapon supremacy turned Bikini Atoll into a paradise with an asterisk.

"Paradise With An Asterisk" by S.C. Gwynne
Published in Outside Magazine, October 17, 2012
http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/nature/Paradise-With-An-Asterisk.html?page=all

Eric

Longread #195 -- As Not Seen on TV -- 11/14/12

I have a soft spot for "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives," but I think Guy Fieri bit off more than he could chew (da-dun-CHING) with his enormous new restaurant in New York. Enjoy this hilarious review that is as over-the-top and bombastic as Guy himself.

"As Not Seen on TV" by Pete Wells
Published in the New York Times, November 13, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/14/dining/reviews/restaurant-review-guys-american-kitchen-bar-in-times-square.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0&smid=tw-share&pagewanted=all

Eric

Longread #194 -- Monopoly is Theft -- 11/13/12

There's not a lot for me to write about this longread. It is a fascinating article about the history of Monopoly (the board game) and its relationship to the anti-capitalist movement in the United States. It is a remarkable story that basically serves as its own case-in-point.

"Monopoly is Theft" by Christopher Ketcham
Published in Harper's, October 19, 2012
http://harpers.org/blog/2012/10/monopoly-is-theft/?single=1&src=longreads

Eric

Longread #193 -- General Failure -- 11/12/12

Even though today isn't a business day for me, I'm going to go ahead and post a longread. The reason that I'm not working is because yesterday was Veteran's Day, and I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has served on behalf of the U.S. So many people have made sacrifices in the name of our country, and to me, that is all the more reason why we should strive to make this country as great as it can be. Hopefully in that process we can move toward a world where we will no longer need so many people to serve in the military but instead to serve in other capacities (education, health, etc.).

Since this holiday is about the military, though, I thought this longread was appropriate. It is critical of the leadership in today's Army, arguing that the culture of promotion does not properly reward the most effective leaders. While it may seem odd to post an article critical of the military on this holiday, it is an important discussion and one should never confuse constructive criticism with a lack of respect.

"General Failure" by Thomas Ricks
Published in the Atlantic, November 2012
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/11/general-failure/309148/?single_page=true

Eric

Longread #192 -- A Violent Prone, Poor People Zone -- 11/9/12

When most Americans think of Somalia, they likely think of Somali pirates or of the story of the American military operations there that inspired the film 'Black Hawk Down.' What most people, myself included, have no awareness of is the tremendous refugee crisis associated with violence, poverty, and famine in Somalia. This has spilled over to Kenya where refugees flee to large refugee camps as well as to slums near Nairobi. This longread provides a chilling account of life in Somalia and life for the refugees who have fled. It is troubling for so many reasons ranging from the degree of poverty to the pervasiveness of violence to the deplorable treatment of women. Normally on Fridays I try to post a fun longread, and this is definitively not one of those. Nevertheless, it is an important and eye-opening piece.

"A Violent Prone, Poor People Zone" by Tom Sleigh
Published in the Virginia Quarterly Review, Winter 2012
http://www.vqronline.org/articles/2012/winter/sleigh-florio-poor-zone/?src=longreads&buffer_share=5f767

Eric

Longread #191 -- The Slow Death of Public Higher Education -- 11/8/12

A huge part of the recently-concluded elections was about the proper role of government in society. On many issues ranging from health care to the economy to social issues like women's rights, the question of the government's proper role has been hotly contested. It is important to note that these debates are important not just at the federal level but also with state and local governments. One major issue for state governments is about the accessibility of higher education. This longread investigates the higher education system of the state of California and how it has changed since Ronald Reagan instituted a new approach as the state's governor. It is a depressing look at how one of the key tools for social mobility, innovation, and economic growth can be systematically eroded in ways that, not surprisingly, benefit certain private interests.

"From Master Plan to No Plan: The Slow Death of Public Higher Education" by Aaron Bady and Mike Konczal
Published in Dissent Magazine, Fall 2012
http://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/from-master-plan-to-no-plan-the-slow-death-of-public-higher-education?src=longreads

Eric

Longread #190 -- Big Sugar's Sweet Little Lies -- 11/7/12

Well, after a long election cycle, you're probably either celebrating or sulking today. For many Americans, either emotion pushes one toward sugary treats and comfort foods. It is commonly reported that there is an obesity and diabetes problem in America, but identifying the causes and possible solutions to this problem is a more hotly contested topic. As with many issues, we rely on science to help us understand why these health challenges have grown so substantially over the past decades. Unfortunately, as this article documents, groups with vested interests in the composition of the American diet, such as the sugar lobby, have systematically worked to avoid, confuse, and suppress attempts at objective science. It's an appalling story that reflects a troubling willingness to sacrifice the interests of the public for corporate bottom lines.

For more on this topic, make sure to read a past longread -- Longread #32 -- Is Sugar Toxic?

"Big Sugar's Sweet Little Lies" by Gary Taubes and Cristin Kearns Couzens
Published in Mother Jones, November/December 2012
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2012/10/sugar-industry-lies-campaign?src=longreads

Eric

Longread #189 -- Who Fracked Mitt Romney -- 11/6/12

At long last, the polls will close today for the U.S. Presidential election. More money has been spent in this election cycle than any before it, and much of that money has come from extremely wealthy people with a huge stake in the election's outcome. One such individual is Harold Hamm, an oil baron and top energy adviser to Mitt Romney who also happens to be one of America's richest and most powerful businessmen. While the political connections in this story are absolutely important, so too are the social and environmental ramifications of the type of rapid oil field development that Hamm's company, Continental Resources, is undertaking. Given that even a second Obama Administration is likely to move forward with this kind of oil exploration, recognition of these issues is essential to try to create proper oversight and regulation.

"Who Fracked Mitt Romney?" by Josh Harkinson
Published in Mother Jones, October 29, 2012
http://www.motherjones.com/print/198461

Eric

Longread #188 -- The Fifty-Nine Story Crisis -- 11/5/12

Sometimes it seems as though our society is in a constant state of scandal. Whether it's corruption in politics, cheating in sports, or the illicit activities of the rich and famous, there seems to be a never-ending stream of indiscretions that come to light. These scandals are often shocking and represent and unbelievable idiocy or hubris or disregard for others. Furthermore, attempts to cover things up often lead to a web of lies that generate even further outrage.

As a result of this pervasiveness of scandal, I found this longread to be immensely refreshing to read. It tells the story of a famous engineer who blew the whistle on himself and took responsibility to fix a problem rather than try to cover it up. This story is a recognition that when finger-pointing, buck-passing, and covering-up are set aside, even difficult situations can be resolved quickly, amicably, and in a way that benefits the best interest of all parties involved.

"The Fifty-Nine Story Crisis" by Joe Morgenstern
Published in the New Yorker, May 29, 1995
http://people.duke.edu/~hpgavin/ce131/citicorp1.htm

Eric

Longread #187 -- Chore List of Champions -- 11/2/12

As I embark on a short vacation, I thought I'd share a lighter longread. This is from a contract that Kurt Vonnegut wrote with his pregnant wife. While this theme has certainly been played out by comics, sitcoms, and many other media over the years, it's still makes for a pretty good laugh.

Happy Friday!

"Chore List of Champions" by Kurt Vonnegut
Published in Harper's, September 2012. Originally written January 26, 1947.
http://harpers.org/archive/2012/09/chore-list-of-champions/

Eric

Longread #186 -- The Company That Spooked the World -- 11/1/12

I took a class in college about the "politics of place," and we analyzed the myriad ways that places become defined and imbued with meaning. One interesting element of our discussions was how globalization and the growth of multinational corporations altered the landscape of how national sovereignty and global capitalism interact. As the global economy has become more interconnected and complex, it creates more situations in which the imperatives of the economy and the imperatives of security do not align.

This article demonstrates an interesting example of this with the case of the Chinese technology company Huawei. On one hand, Huawei manufactures quality products at a low cost, enabling companies that rely on their technology to be more efficient and profitable. On the other hand, concerns about the relationship between Huawei and the Chinese government has raised concern about installing the company's products for important infrastructure.

Thank you to my friend Ross who shared this article with me and whose company helped provide some information to the Economist for this piece.

"The company that spooked the world"
Published in The Economist, August 4, 2012
http://www.economist.com/node/21559929

Eric

Longread #185 -- Too Important to Fail -- 10/31/12

When I first heard about the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) as part of Dodd-Frank, it sounded like one more government agency that would wind up toothless, a symbol of good intentions thwarted by harsh political realities. I doubted that any real power would be vested in the CFPB and figured it was being used for soundbites rather than meaningful reform. In this longread, the author argues that the CFPB can and should be more. He explains why the CFPB is distinct from other regulatory agencies and lays out a strong case for why its success is essential to protect the 99% and ultimately to advance the long-term interests of the financial sector as well.

"Too Important to Fail" by John Gravois
Published in the Washington Monthly, July/August 2012
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/julyaugust_2012/features/too_important_to_fail038413.php?page=all&print=true

Eric

Longread #184 -- The Last Tour -- 10/30/12

Despite being a few years old, today's longread still highlights a crucial challenge for a society that has spent over a decade involved in foreign conflicts. PTSD is increasingly being recognized as systemic problem for service members, and its impact can be devastating. This story of a highly-decorated soldier whose life was lost as a result of PTSD is a reminder of the gravity of this issue and is yet another cost of war that is often unaccounted for.

"The Last Tour" by William Finnegan
Published in the New Yorker, September 29, 2008
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/09/29/080929fa_fact_finnegan?currentPage=all

Eric

Longread #183 -- Chasing Armstrong With Truth -- 10/29/12

I've mostly stayed away from the Lance Armstrong story because I felt like there was little good that would come out of it. I'm not a cycling fan, so I didn't have a strong opinion about Lance or doping in the sport, and as a baseball fan, I feel somewhat desensitized to finger-pointing arguments about performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Because of everything Armstrong came to represent with regard to his foundation and experience with cancer, I think I largely chose to focus on what had been accomplished outside of cycling. With the most recent reports of his doping and the loss of his Tour de France titles, I saw it as more of the same back-and-forth between Lance and his past competitors still bitter about his winnings (whether doped or not).

This article from David Carr changed my perspective on the issue in two ways. First, I learned that the people who have been working to expose Lance's doping are not angry former competitors. Instead, for the most part they are individuals with few resources and no real financial interest in the case. A few small voices who refused to tolerate cheating kept repeating their message and working to expose the truth. If anything, it was Armstrong's camp that used heavy-handed tactics to try to manipulate the way that the case was covered in the media. Second, I learned that, at least based on the information from the most recent reports  Armstrong was involved in more than just individual doping. He cheated systematically, conspired to keep it hidden, and also encouraged others to cheat with him. It is easy to argue that a PED user harms only him/herself, but it seems that this was not the case with Armstrong.

Even if you are sick of hearing of this whole case, I encourage you to read Carr's piece on the bloggers and non-traditional journalists who would not stand by while the traditional media ignored the evidence.

"Chasing Armstrong With Truth" by David Carr
Published in the New York Times, 10/28/12
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/29/business/media/chasing-lance-armstrongs-misdeeds-from-the-sidelines.html?pagewanted=2&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&_r=0&pagewanted=all

Eric

Longread #182 -- A Home at the End of Google Earth -- 10/26/12

This is a great story on many levels. It touches on a wide range of issues ranging from international poverty to  technology to how individual's form a sense of identity and place. In some ways, my biggest disappointment with the article itself is that it doesn't explore any of those elements with a lot of depth. That said, I'm not sure that was the author's intention, and given the magnitude of those issues, I can see why it would be hard to tackle those issues in this kind of article without distracting from the primary story. In any case, I hope you enjoy this piece as much as I did.

Happy Friday!

"A Home at the End of Google Earth" by David Kushner
Published in Vanity Fair, November 2012
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2012/11/india-orphan-google-earth-journey?src=longreads

Eric

Longread #181 -- Holy Guacamole! -- 10/25/12

I'm changing the pace on the blog a bit today. This is obviously a very different subject matter and style than other things that I've posted, but I still think it qualifies as a truly interesting longread. As "foodie" culture in the U.S. has exploded, so too has an interest in the science of food. One of my favorite sources for this kind of information is a blog called Serious Eats that runs a feature called the "Food Lab." This series goes in-depth in identifying optimal cooking techniques and explaining the science behind them. After eating some awesome guacamole last night made using this recipe (thanks, Lucy!), I thought I'd share the background article.

"The Food Lab: The Best Guacamole (and the Science of Avocados)" by J. Kenji López-Alt

Published on Serious Eats, January 17, 2012

http://www.seriouseats.com/2012/01/the-food-lab-the-best-guacamole-avocados-science-browning-ripening.html

Eric

Longread #180 -- The Thin Blue Lie -- 10/24/12

One of the biggest issues facing local government in Seattle is reforming the police department. After numerous reports of egregious violations of the rights and dignity of citizens became public, a great deal of community pressure was focused on the SPD. In addition, the U.S. Department of Justice identified a range of systematic problems in SPD practices that failed to adequately prevent or punish these sorts of violations. It is often said that trust in the police is an essential element to an effective system of law and order, but I think that in most cases that is simply rhetoric. It seems rare to find police departments that take a systematic approach to truly building support in the community. Of course there are many individual officers who do a fantastic job of serving the public interest and trying to restore the image of the police. Unfortunately, it is also the case that police departments as a whole often drag their feet and allow bad apples to ruin the bunch. In today's longread, author David Noriega describes his experience as an investigator for the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board and uses this example to illustrate the challenges in creating a truly accountable police force in our current climate.

"The Thin Blue Lie" by David Noriega
Published in the New Inquiry, August 29, 2012
http://thenewinquiry.com/essays/the-thin-blue-lie/

Eric

Longread #179 -- Cosmo the Hacker God -- 10/23/12

Every now and again, I come across an article that reminds me of how vulnerable most of us really are when it comes to online security. We trust that a password requirement, some basic encryption, and a few other simple measures will allow us to avoid hackers and criminals who either want to create chaos or reap profits by undermining cybersecurity programs. This article demonstrates how a creative teenager was able to expose the security flaws of some of the world's most powerful, innovative, and successful companies. As a matter of principle, I try to err toward trusting other people, but articles like this are a reminder that sometimes even small pieces of information that you share can be compiled to enable malicious and extremely damaging acts. These are probably the sacrifices we make to get the benefits of technology, but it's scary sometimes how easily security loopholes can be exploited.

"Cosmo, the Hacker ‘God’ Who Fell to Earth" by Mat Honan
Published in Wired, September 11, 2012
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/09/cosmo-the-god-who-fell-to-earth/all

Eric

Longread #178 -- Tax Loopholes -- 10/22/12

With so much of the election focusing on tax policy, I found this article to be remarkably illuminating and frustrating. While theoretically these are the types of tax loopholes that both candidates could be exposing, the nature of political power -- such that challenging the benefits of the extremely rich is potentially career-destroying -- seems to ensure that these issues continue to get swept under the rug. Hopefully over time we can reform the tax code in a way that is truly progressive and eliminates these types of bogus kickbacks.

"The 10 Most Corrupt Tax Loopholes" by Chris Parker
Published in the Seattle Weekly, October 10, 2012
http://www.seattleweekly.com/content/printVersion/1818529/

Eric

Longread #177 -- Are Doctors Too Wary of Pharmaceutical Companies? -- 10/19/12

It's hard to read the longreads from the previous two days and not have an intense skepticism about pharmaceutical companies and their research. But is it possible for that skepticism to go too far?

Today's longread looks at a recent study that found that doctors, who used to have a cozy relationship with Big Pharma, are now often overly-dismissive of the results of industry-funded studies. Even though the studies had meticulous methodological practices, the doctors still were more likely to be wary of their results.

My reaction to this finding is twofold. First, I think it's important to keep in mind that most of the doctors were still able to identify the difference between the studies that were well-designed and poorly-designed regardless of their funding source. So while there may be some instances where doctors are overly skeptical, by and large they are doing a good job of being guided by the details and not by single factors like the study's sponsor. Second, I disagree with the quote concluding the article that "excessive skepticism is as much a bad thing as naïveté." Except in the most dire situation, I'd much rather have a doctor follow something akin to the precautionary principle to protect me against unintended side effects. And in general, skepticism is what drives science. I'd almost always put more trust in someone who asks too many questions as opposed to someone who asks too few.

"Are Doctors Too Wary of Drug Companies?" by Dr. Pauline Chen
Published on the New York Times Well Blog, October 18, 2012
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/18/are-doctors-too-wary-of-drug-companies/

Eric

Longread #176 -- The Drugs Don't Work -- 10/18/12

Continuing in the field of medicine and health research, this article from the Guardian exposes a fundamental challenge to meaningful scientific progress. The disclosure requirements for medical research studies are shockingly low, and as a result, unfavorable study results never see the light of day. As the article demonstrates, this is profoundly unethical as it prevents doctors and patients from making truly informed decisions about the benefits and risks of medications. However, it also hinders the broader scientific community that would benefit from having a greater knowledge of what works and what doesn't. Instead, we get uncoordinated and often unnecessary research that does little to benefit patients in the short- or long-term. While obviously there are concerns about proprietary information for pharmaceutical companies that spend billions on research, that's not an excuse when a drug is being marketed and administered to actual human patients. Sadly, when so much money is at stake, human health often becomes a secondary concern.

"The drugs don't work: a modern medical scandal" by Ben Goldacre
Published in the Guardian, September 21, 2012
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/sep/21/drugs-industry-scandal-ben-goldacre?CMP=twt_gu

Eric

Longread #175 -- Bad to the Bone -- 10/17/12

Yesterday's post was a brief political interlude, but today we go back to articles relating to the medical field. After some discussion of clinical trials and cancer research last week, today's longread addresses off-label use of drugs and medical devices. It examines the dangers that can occur when corporate greed takes hold in an environment of weak regulation. Sadly, these stories are all-too-common, yet we rarely see comprehensive steps to address them (for example, clearer and tougher laws, stronger penalties for violators, and more budgetary support for regulators).

"Bad to the bone: A medical horror story" by Mina Kimes
Published in Forbes, September 18, 2012
http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2012/09/18/synthes-norian-criminal/

Eric

Longread #174 -- The Lie Factory -- 10/16/12

In light of tonight's important presidential debate, I am posting this longread about the history of political consulting and advertising in the U.S. The story of Campaigns, Inc., founded by Leone Baxter and Clem Whitaker, is remarkable for how easily its influence can be found in modern politics. From basic political strategy to specific issue messaging (with healthcare, for example), it is remarkable how little has changed. For many of us, this political landscape is just the way things have always been, so I found it fascinating to learn more about how the modern institution of political consulting and advertising came to be.

"The Lie Factory" by Jill Lepore
Published in the New Yorker, September 24, 2012
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/09/24/120924fa_fact_lepore?printable=true

Eric

Longread #173 -- The Median Isn't the Message -- 10/15/12

Several articles last week focused on prognosis and how people with cancer approach life with the disease. How patients interpret information about prognosis varies widely, and it can make discussions about statistics very complicated and difficult. Hope in the context of cancer can be both very powerful and very dangerous. In this longread, Stephen Jay Gould, a well-known scholar in his time, confronts his own dismal prognosis and digs into the statistics to find a meaningful take on his situation.

"The Median Isn't the Message" by Stephen Jay Gould
Re-printed at the Cancer Guide, initially published in Discover Magazine, 1985
http://www.cancerguide.org/median_not_msg.html

Eric

Longread #172 -- Cancer Survivors -- 10/12/12

As it relates to cancer, "survivor" is a loaded word. From a practical standpoint, it is difficult to define because cancer is a disease that can come back even many years after it seems to have been "cured" (not surprisingly, the concept of being "cured" of cancer is also controversial). Choosing the point at which a person becomes a survivor, then, is tricky. From an emotional standpoint, the term survivor can often be challenging for those who have been diagnosed with cancer. With so much variation between patients in terms of cancer types, treatments, responses to treatment, etc., the term can take on so many meanings that some find it objectionable.

Personally, I try not to tell people who have cancer how they should feel or how they should describe themselves or their disease. While that seems pretty obvious, I don't think that it precludes celebrating people who have taken a productive approach to how these terms are used. In this longread, Suleika Jaouad, who was been diagnosed with cancer in her early 20s and is writing a series for the New York Times, discusses what the term survivor means to her. I found her reflections to be one of the more thoughtful and meaningful considerations of the topic that I have seen.

"Life, Interrupted: Am I a Cancer Survivor?" by Suleika Jaouad
Published in the New York Times, July 12, 2012
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-cancer-survivor/

Eric

Longread #171 -- Cancer and Prognosis -- 10/11/12

Prognosis is a very scary and powerful thing in the field of oncology. Prognostic factors often guide doctors in making treatment recommendations, and for patients and family members, it is natural to want to know what the future holds. As we learn more and more about what drives different types of cancer, we also are able to better refine a patient's prognosis. However, it is not always the case that the pace of research for treatments can keep up. This longread is an interesting example of this situation. It raises a number of ethical questions about how we understand and communicate about prognosis, and these issues are sure to grow in importance as cancer research progresses.

"A Life-Death Predictor Adds to a Cancer’s Strain" by Gina Kolata
Published in the New York Times, July 9, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/10/health/genetic-test-changes-game-in-cancer-prognosis.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

Eric

Longread #170 -- No Evidence of Disease -- 10/10/12

In contrast to yesterday's article, which was an academic piece written by two influential doctors, today's longread comes from a very different perspective. Many people affected by cancer (patients, family, friends, etc.) choose to write as a means of coping with the difficult emotional struggles that confront them. As more and more people engage with one another online, blogging has become a popular way of sharing these writings. Though this can be a phenomenal outlet for expression, these blog posts often share a similar style or formula. When I first started reading today's article, I thought it was heading in that direction. As I read on, though, I realized that there was a lot more to this story and that it raises a host of intriguing and complicated issues.

Thanks to my co-worker Alex for sharing it!

"No Evidence of Disease" by Maciej Cegłowski
Published on Idle Words, September 17, 2012
http://idlewords.com/2012/09/no_evidence_of_disease.htm

Eric

Longread #169 -- Two Hundred Years of Cancer Research -- 10/9/12

This is one of the more straightforward and academic articles that I've posted, but I think it provides a useful frame of reference when talking about cancer. Written by two very prominent cancer researchers, it provides an overview of the progress that has been made in cancer research over the last two centuries. The burden of cancer on our society is still significant, and it is not uncommon to hear people wonder why we haven't yet found "the cure." While there is always room for improvement in the quality, cost-effectiveness, and application of research, this article points out the enormity of the challenges of cancer research and the tremendous advances that have been made in the field. It also previews the new directions for research in the coming years.

"Two Hundred Years of Cancer Research" by Vincent DeVita and Steven Rosenberg
Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, June 7, 2012
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1204479?query=featured_home&&

Eric

Longread #168 -- Breast Cancer in the Marines -- 10/8/12

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which you've almost certainly noticed if you've seen the proliferation of pink being worn by athletes, celebrities, and ordinary people across the country. This week's longreads will all focus on cancer, although the articles will be about more types of cancer than just breast cancer. Today's article is about an often-overlooked population that gets breast cancer: men. In particular, it exposes a disturbingly high rate of breast cancer in Marines with a specific history of exposures at a particular base. While the story is in many ways tragic, it also will hopefully help researchers better understand the influence of environmental factors (such as exposure to certain chemicals) that can influence breast cancer risk.

"How a Bunch of Scrappy Marines Could Help Vanquish Breast Cancer" by Florence Williams
Published in Mother Jones, May/June 2012
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2012/05/camp-lejeune-marines-breast-cancer-florence-williams

Eric

Longread #167 -- The Wife of Jesus? -- 10/5/12

You may have seen these headlines popping up a few weeks ago, so I'll admit that I'm a bit behind on this story. In some ways, though, I think it might be for the better. When I first saw news articles describing new findings about the wife of Jesus, I dismissed them and figured it was much ado about nothing. But then this article from Smithsonian Magazine came through one of the aggregators that I follow, and I figured it would be a good way to try to understand what had been released and get a better sense of its significance. I'm really glad that I chose to read this article because it does an excellent job of contextualizing this most recent -- and as it turns out, fascinating -- discovery.

"The Inside Story of a Controversial New Text About Jesus" by Ariel Sabar
Published in Smithsonian, September 18, 2012
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/The-Inside-Story-of-the-Controversial-New-Text-About-Jesus-170177076.html?c=y&story=fullstory&src=longreads

Eric

Longread #166 -- Bike Helmets -- 10/4/12

A little over a month ago, I was in Portland, Oregon on a mini-vacation. Portland is known for its strong support of bike commuting, and this support pays off as streets are shared between drivers and bicyclists. While I was there, though, I also noticed a handful of people riding without a helmet, which seemed very out of sorts to me. When I got back home to Seattle -- another city that is big on biking -- I started to notice a good number of people here biking without a helmet, too. This struck me as extremely unsafe and frustrated me as I thought these helmetless bicyclists were affecting the image of the responsible commuter.

This longread forced me to reconsider my viewpoint. As someone who doesn't ride a bike, I really don't know about the risks of bike accidents. I have assumed that riding with a helmet was a fundamental safety issue, but apparently the science is not nearly as clear. Furthermore, the overall safety of bicyclists might be improved if helmet requirements -- a barrier to biking for many -- were eliminated.

I still have a strong visceral reaction to seeing bicyclists without a helmet, but this longread got me thinking about this issue in new ways and has me questioning whether my initial impulse on this issue is the right one.

"To Encourage Biking, Cities Lose the Helmets" by Elisabeth Rosenthal
Published in the New York Times, September 29, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/sunday-review/to-encourage-biking-cities-forget-about-helmets.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=opinion&pagewanted=all

Eric

Longread #165 -- Bleacher Report -- 10/3/12

A number of articles that I've posted recently have dealt with how information is created, distributed, stored, and processed. As has been stated by countless observers, the internet has dramatically changed the way that we access information, although the implications of those changes is certainly up for debate. This longread looks at how the internet in general but more specifically one website -- Bleacher Report -- has changed the nature of sports reporting. The lessons from the Bleacher Report example may also shine a light on the direction that we may see in other areas of reporting. Essentially, the Bleacher Report model is driven almost entirely by what can generate pageviews (and thus advertising dollars). Stories are crowd-sourced, which is code for the fact that they are typically produced for free by writers with limited journalistic experience. Moreover, these stories are commonly written to fit a particular headline or set of keywords that Bleacher Report algorithms indicate will generate the most traffic.

This is a highly-profitable model but one that in my opinion seriously degrades the quality of sports reporting online. That said, as the Sinclair Lewis letter of note indicated, it's important to be wary of casting off a site like Bleacher Report (or alternatively, only embracing more "institutional" reporting sources) simply because it doesn't fit the traditional model of what is understood as good sports writing. 

This also begs the question of why we are so attracted to hyperbole. Why can't we look away and just not click on the links to these articles? Why are we so drawn to reality TV shows that feature actors and actresses who represent the most extreme versions of different stereotypes? When did this attraction start? Are sites like Bleacher Report simply catering to the market? Or are they also actively involved in creating this type of market demand? 

"How Bleacher Report Made Crap Journalism Pay" by Joe Eskenazi

Published in the Seattle Weekly, October 3, 2012

http://www.seattleweekly.com/content/printVersion/1814736/

Eric

Longread #164 -- A Letter of Note -- 10/2/12

Today's longread comes from another blog called Letters of Note, which posts letters of historical significance. My roommate Gabe brought this one to my attention and for good reason. As you can read, it is a letter from Sinclair Lewis turning down the Pulitzer Prize. His argument about the institution of the Pulitzer and how it could affect the understanding and appreciation of writing seems both remarkably selfless and forward-thinking.

"All prizes, like all titles, are dangerous" by Sinclair Lewis
Published on Letters of Note, September 28, 2012. Originally written May 26, 1926.
http://www.lettersofnote.com/2012/09/all-prizes-like-all-titles-are-dangerous.html

Eric

Longread #163 -- Branded for Life -- 10/1/12

"Dude, you're gettin' a Dell!"

It's amazing how much an actor's face or character can stick with us after a successful ad campaign. These ads get played so much that they conquer a shockingly large chunk of people's memories. However, as the character's popularity grows, it becomes easier and easier to forget that behind the character is a real person. This longread looks at the lives of several commercial actors whose careers exploded with the success of certain ad campaigns.

"Branded for Life" by Felix Gillette
Published in Business Week, September 27, 2012
http://www.businessweek.com/printer/articles/73298-branded-for-life

Eric

Longread #162 -- Ancient Manuscripts -- 9/28/12

The preservation and archiving of manuscripts provides tremendous resources for historians and researchers of all types. This longread looks at one particular archive located in the Sinai Desert that houses an enormous collection of one-of-a-kind manuscripts. Of particular focus are what are known as palimpsests -- texts that have been erased or overwritten. New imaging techniques have allowed more and more of these to be revealed. I think this is an interesting project especially in light of the article earlier this week about author's who disown their work. We tend to think of that applying only to relatively modern authors, but wouldn't it apply here as well? What are the ethics of uncovering texts that were erased thousands of years ago? I tend to think that these texts serve a greater purpose to society and academia by being revealed, but it is a challenging issue because clearly those texts were never meant to be discovered.

"In the Sinai, a global team is revolutionizing the preservation of ancient manuscripts" by Mark Schrope
Published in the Washington Post, September 6, 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/in-the-sinai-a-global-team-is-revolutionizing-the-preservation-of-ancient-manuscripts/2012/08/30/1c203ef4-ca1f-11e1-aea8-34e2e47d1571_print.html

Eric

Longread #161 -- Infographics -- 9/27/12

Another interesting trend in journalism is the heightened use of infographics. It seems increasingly common to find infographics of varying types, especially online where an infographic can be easily be made interactive. In some cases, these serve as a phenomenal way of simplifying complex topics by highlighting key points. They also appeal to people whose learning styles may tend toward the visual rather than the verbal. Because they can be consumed so quickly, they also carry a lot of appeal for users on Facebook and Twitter. This longread looks at the role of the infographic in journalism and through several examples tries to identify what separates the good from the bad.

"This Chart Is a Lonely Hunter: The Narrative Eros of the Infographic" by Reif Larsen
Published in the Millions, February 7, 2012
http://www.themillions.com/2012/02/this-chart-is-a-lonely-hunter-the-narrative-eros-of-the-infographic.html

Eric

Longread #160 -- Quotation Approval -- 9/26/12

Today's longread looks at quotation approval, which is a practice that is gaining steam in the world of journalism. As described by Carr, this is when a source agrees to an interview only if he or she is allowed to review and approve any quotes that are used. As Carr notes, widespread use of this practice threatens the independence of journalists and their ability to write hard-hitting analysis. At the end of the day, much of the responsibility for this lies with us as consumers of media. As Carr has argued in other pieces, in journalism, you get what you pay for. If we don't actively support quality journalism, it is hard for we as consumers to complain about our news being watered down.

"The Puppetry of Quotation Approval" by David Carr
Published in the New York Times, September 16, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/17/business/media/the-puppetry-of-quotation-approval.html

Eric

Longread #159 -- What's So Hot About Chili Peppers -- 9/25/12

As someone who loves spicy food and has even tried stupid challenges like eating the "Hell Wing" at a local bar, I found this article to be extremely interesting. The history of chilis is fascinating -- I didn't know until just a few months ago that chilis were native to South America. It was shocking to me that something so central to cuisines in other places (such as Thai food) has only been available for a few hundred years. I also love the profile of this scientist and how engaged he is by his research.

Enjoy this article, and please pass the Sriracha...

"What's So Hot About Chili Peppers?" by Brendan Borrell
Published in Smithsonian Magazine, April 2009
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/Whats-So-Hot-About-Chili-Peppers.html?c=y&story=fullstory

Eric

Longread #158 -- Author Retractions -- 9/24/12

Since the Jonah Lehrer scandal earlier this year, I've been more interested in the issue of authorship and its effect on how we read and interpret an author's work. While the issue with Lehrer was whether his plagarism in one instance invalidated his other work, this article instead looks at situations in which authors change their mind and retract their prior work. The article brings up a number of the difficult issues surrounding this issue especially in the digital age.

I think the author of this piece comes up with a reasonable approach: rather than try to forget the author ever wrote something that was retracted, instead we should use the retraction to help us better understand the work and interpret its meaning.

"When Authors Disown Their Work, Should Readers Care?" by Maria Konnikova
Published in the Atlantic, August 28, 2012
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/08/when-authors-disown-their-work-should-readers-care/261615/

Eric

Longread #157 -- Macklemore -- 9/21/12

Macklemore is one of Seattle's most popular homegrown rappers. Even though he's been gaining recognition nationwide and among the more traditional rap industry, he has continued to make songs about local matters and controversial social issues. In this profile, Macklemore explains his reasons for recording "Same Love," which argues in favor of legalizing same sex marriage, an issue that is one the ballot in Washington in November. While he's far from the first musician to make political statements and while I think this song isn't his best, I really enjoyed reading this profile. In particular, I found his discussion of love vs. fear to be insightful. Below, I've tried to embed audio links of "Same Love" and another track called "Victory Lap" that I really enjoy. I also posted a video of his called "Thrift Shop," which not only celebrates my love of thrift stores but also was shot largely in my favorite thrift store -- the Capitol Hill Value Village.

"Fear and Loving" by Larry Mizell, Jr.
Published in the Stranger, July 31, 2012
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/fear-and-loving/Content?oid=14331117

Happy Friday...enjoy the tunes.

Eric

Longread #156 -- Small Farms -- 9/20/12

Piggybacking on yesterday's longread about changes in agriculture, this article examines a move toward smaller farms that produce almost exclusively for local markets. While this type of small-scale agriculture offers a lot of promise, it also runs into a number of challenges such as competing with large-scale producers who churn out fruits and vegetables at cut-rate prices. While this approach is not yet ready to take over our food production system, I think it offers an exciting glimpse into what some alternatives might look like.

"Small Farmers Creating a New Business Model as Agriculture Goes Local" by Kirk Johnson
Published in the New York Times, July 1, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/02/us/small-scale-farmers-creating-a-new-profit-model.html?src=me&ref=general&_r=0

Eric

Longread #155 -- Broken Heartland -- 9/19/12

Oops -- I forgot to hit the "Publish" button on this one yesterday.

This longread takes a long look at the social and economic development of the Great Plains and calls into question the sustainability of our current model. I had heard about depletion of the aquifer, but this article really helped to put it into context for me. It also looks at some of the alternative visions for this land ranging from organic agriculture to wind power generation. We cling so strongly to a pastoral vision of the Midwest as America's breadbasket, but as this article makes clear, reality is rapidly disrupting this narrative.

"Broken heartland: The looming collapse of agriculture on the Great Plains" by Wil S. Hylton
Published in Harper's, July 2012
http://harpers.org/archive/2012/07/0083968

Eric

Longread #154 -- Deadly Tin -- 9/18/12

Yesterday was a big day. I finally retired my old flip phone and got a smartphone. As the smartphone market grows, so too does the demand for the device's components. While several articles have exposed the problems involved in device manufacturing in China, there has been relatively little discussion of where the basic materials are coming from to build the components for for so many of these devices. Today's longread casts a light on the tin production industry and the challenges that it has brought to Bangka Island in Indonesia.

"The Deadly Tin Inside Your Smartphone" by Cam Simpson
Published in Business Week, August 23, 2012
http://www.businessweek.com/printer/articles/67884-the-deadly-tin-inside-your-smartphone

Eric

Longread #153 -- The Throwaways -- 9/17/12

For years writers have decried the social ramifications of the War on Drugs ranging from mass incarceration to disproportionate policing to demonization of low-level drug users. Today's longread looks at another painful effect -- a massive expansion of mostly-unregulated use of confidential informants (CIs). Many CIs are young, naive, and unaware of their legal rights. As a result, they are at risk of being exploited in ambitious and sometimes reckless police operations. CIs clearly play an important role in helping police build cases, but it also seems obvious that there is a compelling need for improved practices in how CIs are utilized.

"The Throwaways" by Sarah Stillman
Published in the New Yorker, September 3, 2012
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/09/03/120903fa_fact_stillman?currentPage=all&pink=VZyHUf&src=longreads

Eric

Longread #152 -- Passing Gas -- 9/14/12

We all probably know someone who seems to talk out of his or her ass. This article looks into the science of passing gas and literally examines whether "talking out of your ass" literally would be possible. Have fun with this one.

I really hope that I never outgrow fart jokes. Happy Friday.

"Passing gas is an art and science" by Robert Provine
Published in Salon, August 22, 2012
http://www.salon.com/2012/08/23/passing_gas_is_an_art_and_science/

Eric

Longread #151 -- How Slavery Ended -- 9/13/12

I don't read or post that many articles that are historical in nature, but I found this one to be really fascinating. It is an excerpt from the author's book about the Civil War, and it looks at a very specific sequence of events that led to an influx of slaves living among Union soldiers. At many points in this history, one different decision -- by the people on the ground, by politicians, etc. -- could have dramatically affected the way that events unfolded. Instead, what seemed like one small happening (a few slaves who escaped and took refuge at Fort Monroe in Virginia) significantly changed the course for slavery, race relations, and the Civil War in American history.

"How Slavery Really Ended in America" by Adam Goodheart
Published in the New York Times, April 1, 2011
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/03/magazine/mag-03CivilWar-t.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

Eric

Longread #150 -- When the Mango Bites Back -- 9/12/12

On my recent vacation through New Orleans, several of my friends came down with an awful case of food poisoning. Unfortunately, we are exposed to a huge number of food-borne pathogens, and when we travel, we increase our chances of ingesting pathogens that are unfamiliar and that can make us sick. This article provides helpful information for anyone who travels as it discusses many of the best ways of trying to manage food-borne illness. As someone who travels with an "eat anything and everything" mentality, I found this to be both interesting and informative.

"When the Mango Bites Back" by Gardiner Harris
Published in the New York Times Well Blog, August 27, 2012
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/27/when-the-mango-bites-back/

Eric

Longread #149 -- Greed and Debt -- 9/11/12

As the presidential campaign heats up after the conventions, the Obama camp has continued to hit Romney hard about his history at Bain Capital. This piece from Matt Taibbi goes even further and deeply calls into question the concept of Romney as a "turnaround specialist." Instead of using wise management to help companies become profitable, private equity firms like Bain instead saddled companies with excessive amounts of debt while reaping huge rewards through bonuses and management fees. This longread doesn't question that Romney is a shrewd businessman; instead, it demonstrates that his shrewdness meant huge profits for him paid for predominately by the loss of middle-class jobs.

"Greed and Debt: The True Story of Mitt Romney and Bain Capital" by Matt Taibbi
Published in Rolling Stone, September 13, 2012
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/greed-and-debt-the-true-story-of-mitt-romney-and-bain-capital-20120829?print=true

Eric

Longread #148 -- The Chiefs and the Mafia -- 9/10/12

The blog is back after a week-long hiatus. Since last weekend was the start of the NFL season, I felt an NFL-related longread was appropriate to start the week off right. While it's been a long time since my hometown Kansas City Chiefs won a playoff game, there was a time when they were among the league's best teams. While winning Super Bowl IV is a high point for the franchise, this story describes how it went even further in altering the powerful role of the mafia in KC. 

"Chiefs’ Super Bowl win played part in tripping up organized crime in KC" by Kent Babb

Published in the Kansas City Star, August 25, 2012

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/08/25/3775704/chiefs-super-bowl-win-played-part.html

Eric 

Longread #147 -- The Immortal Horizon -- 8/30/12

You may have heard before of elite marathoners or ultra racers -- people who run ridiculous distances in places like Death Valley, California. This longread documents another type of endurance competition, but what sets this one apart is its unique setting and the challenges it poses. I can't say that I really understand the motivation for embarking on this kind of race (or an ultra-marathon, either), but I thought this article did a good job of exploring that issue.

Here's hoping that my upcoming vacation through the heart of America goes much more smoothly than this race does for its participants. On that point, a short programming note -- there will be no blog posts next week as I'll be away from the computer. Posts will resume on 9/10. Happy Labor Day and safe travels!

"The Immortal Horizon" by Leslie Jamison
Published in the Believer, May 2011
http://www.believermag.com/issues/201105/?read=article_jamison

Eric

Longread #146 -- Voter Fraud -- 8/29/12

As election season continues to heat up, one issue that keeps popping up is about election fraud. A handful of states have or are pushing requirements to provide photo ID to vote, sparking allegations on both sides of vote manipulation. On the right, the claim is typically that voter fraud is allowing voting by people with no right to vote (including dogs and dead people to name only a few examples). On the right, the claim is that voter ID laws are part of a mass campaign of helping conservatives win elections through mass disenfranchisement. This article looks at all of these claims and finds that both are flawed. Voter fraud is rare, but at the same time, voter ID laws don't tend to discourage many likely voters from going to the polls. Regardless, these facts tend to be ignored in order to use the issue to drum up fundraising dollars. Moreover, even if voter restriction laws don't actually limit a great deal of voting, their very nature is still discriminatory based on the fact that they target specific groups of people that are often already disempowered.

"The Dog That Voted and Other Election Fraud Yarns" by Kevin Drum
Published in Mother Jones, July/August 2012
http://www.motherjones.com/print/178281

Eric

Longread #145 -- The Heretic -- 8/28/12

Today's longread is an interesting look into the history of research on LSD and psychedelic drugs in the U.S. While there is obviously the potential for abuse, it seems clear that government policy has stunted what could have been a number of promising research projects into the benefits (and risks) of these drugs. The nature of consciousness is such a fascinating topic that it is sad to me that even controlled experiments have been prevented that might better our understanding.

"The Heretic" by Tim Doody
Published in the Morning News, July 26, 2012
http://www.themorningnews.org/article/the-heretic?src=longreads

Eric

Longread #144 -- Paterno -- 8/27/12

Joe Posnanski is one of my favorite sportswriters. For much of my youth, he was a columnist for the Kansas City Star. Initially, I much preferred the style of KC's other main sports columnist, Jason Whitlock, whose opinions and writing style tended toward the bombastic. It took awhile for me to warm up to Posnanski's more subtle, storytelling style, but over time, I've really come to appreciate his talent as a sportswriter.

Over a year ago, Posnanski decided to write a biography of Joe Paterno and moved to Happy Valley, Pennsylvania to begin the research for the book. While he was there, the scandal at Penn State erupted and the tragic details of child molestation came to the fore. Obviously this dramatically changed the nature of the biography, but if any sportswriter was equipped to manage this type of difficult subject matter, I figured it would be Posnanski.

Unfortunately, though it sounds as though Posnanski's book, Paterno, struggles in dealing with the scandal and Paterno's legacy. I haven't read the book for myself (and honestly, I don't plan to), so perhaps some of these criticisms are off-base. But at the least, I appreciated this review because of its willingness to take on even a well-established and highly-respect sportswriter. And as I learned with the whole Jonah Lehrer situation, it is important to constantly question the work even of the writers who you admire the most.

"'Paterno': A Relentless, Failed Defense of Penn State's Disgraced Coach" by Allen Barra
Published in the Atlantic, August 21, 2012
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/08/paterno-a-relentless-failed-defense-of-penn-states-disgraced-coach/261376/

Eric

Longread #143 -- Big Trouble -- 8/23/12

Todaly's longread is the last for this week's theme regarding health care. This article is a few years old but still documents a troubling issue in the medical field -- providing care to the obese. Not only does obesity increase a person's risk of many health problems, it also complicates the ability to receive quality care. This happens for several reasons ranging from the way that most diagnostic equipment works for the obese to the often demeaning attitudes that health professionals take to obese patients. Reading this article is just another reminder of all of the complexities that go into providing care and how many challenges have to be overcome  to design methods of health care delivery that can serve everyone.

"Big Trouble" by Jason Zengerle
Published in the New Republic, November 12, 2007
-http://www.tnr.com/article/health-care-special-issue-big-trouble

Eric

Longread #142 -- Weight-Loss Pills -- 8/23/12

This is one of the shorter longreads you'll ever find on here, but it touches on a handful of topics that I find to be very relevant to our discussions of health care.

1. Priorities in drug development. This point has been made by many others before, but it is sometimes shocking to think of how much time, money, and effort has been put into developing pills for things like weight loss, erectile dysfunction, and acne when there are many diseases for which there are no drug treatments or inadequate drug production (malaria, for example). Again, this goes to the profit motive for a pharmaceutical company. The return on investment for a drug like Viagra that is marketed to mostly wealthy people in developed countries is much higher than the ROI for drugs that are marketed to mostly poor people in developing countries. This raises difficult questions about how the pharmaceutical industry should be regulated or supported. As a company, the responsibility is with the shareholders. So how do you align the interests of the shareholders with the greater needs of society (not just in the US but worldwide)?

2. Drug approval. Most of us place a lot of trust in the FDA. However, over the years, the FDA has made a number of errors that have had serious consequences for consumers. It is hard to say whether those errors were honest mistakes or were a result of incompetence, negligence, or politics. I think the biggest concern -- and one that is not at all unfounded -- is that the political power of large pharmaceutical companies influences the drug approval process. As this article demonstrates, this is a scary proposition.

3. The failures of the health consumer. I went to a talk last year about reforming the health care system, and a huge portion of the talk focused on how consumers needed more information so that they could take control of their own care. In many ways, my own job fits squarely into this narrative that if we just give consumers all the information, they will make better decisions. Unfortunately, as many of the studies on neuroscience and decision-making have shown, simply having "the facts" often doesn't compel people to make the most rational decision. This is complicated even further when other variables are introduced such as the need to balance short-term and long-term benefits and risks or the need to understand what can be very complex and technical medical information. As this article points out, what we understand as "the facts" can be strongly influenced by marketing efforts (of the health care industry or doctors or even the anecdotal story of a friend/neighbor, etc.).

4. The search for the "magic bullet," especially with weight loss. I won't delve into this too much, but sometimes I wonder how much more benefit might be gained by focusing all the R&D funds for a weight-loss pill instead on trying to reach parents and kids early in life to encourage healthier habits. Losing weight is hard, and the appeal of a silver bullet is hard to resist. The upshot is that people take dangerous medications that often have limited or only fleeting benefits. How can we transition from a focus on "treating" obesity to preventing it in the first place?

Lots of big questions with very few real "right" answers. Welcome to the world of health care and health care policy.

"An Endless Quest for Weight-Loss Pills" by Danielle Ofri
Published in the New York Times (Well Blog), May 10, 2012
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/10/an-endless-quest-for-weight-loss-pills/

Eric

Longread #141 -- The Measured Man -- 8/22/12

While Monday's longread looked at how the medical system in the U.S. may focus too much on individual customization, today's article highlights a completely different approach. It documents the efforts of a particular researcher to scientifically categorize and measure everything that happens in the body. It's an enticing proposition, and I think there is likely a lot to be learned from these sorts of efforts. That said, I feel that ultimately this sort of project is overly ambitious and carries a certain level of discomforting hubris. There are so many interdependent systems within the body that I am skeptical of any approach that believes it can reduce them all to quantitative measuring and analysis.

"The Measured Man" by Mark Bowden
Published in the Atlantic, July/August 2012
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/07/the-measured-man/309018/?single_page=true

Eric

Longread #140 -- Learning From Third World Healthcare -- 8/21/12

Just as yesterday's longread looked at what the U.S. healthcare system can learn from an unlikely source -- chain restaurants -- today's longread examines what the vaunted U.S. system might learn from oft-maligned third world health systems. As this article argues, too often U.S. health care providers try to "reinvent the wheel" rather than taking small steps to advance individual and community health.

An interesting example that comes up in the article is people remembering to take their medications. Even in cancer treatment, this can be a real issue. One type of leukemia, CML, is typically very effectively treated with a drug called Gleevec. However, some patients relapse after initial positive response, and the most common cause is "poor adherence" -- a fancy way of saying people not taking their meds. Especially given the costs of prescriptions, many patients try to stretch medications by skipping doses or cutting pills in half. In other cases, people just forget. Whatever the reason, it is important to remember that no matter how much we spend on mapping genomes and conducting advanced drug development, it only matters if people do the seemingly simple things like take their pills.

This isn't to say that reminding people to take their pills will solve the problems of our healthcare system. But it is an indication that we may not always need massive reforms and overhauls to make significant improvements in the quality, efficiency, and costs of care in the U.S.

"What We Can Learn From Third-World Health Care" by Pauline Chen
Published in the New York Times, July 26, 2012
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/26/what-we-can-learn-from-third-world-health-care/

Note: Information on poor adherence for CML comes from the National Cancer Institute website, http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/childAML/HealthProfessional/page11

Eric