Longread #125 -- Jonah Lehrer's Deceptions -- 7/31/12

Yesterday kind of rocked my world. Jonah Lehrer, who has been featured on this blog many times, resigned from his position as a staff writer at the New Yorker after admitting that he had fabricated quotes from Bob Dylan for his book Imagine.

I was introduced to Lehrer's work in 2009 by my friend Daniel Goldman who knew that I was interested in popular neuroscience and the study of decision-making. I read How We Decide, Lehrer's second book, and from that point on, considered Lehrer to be one of my favorite writers. I read his first book, Proust Was a Neuroscientist, followed his blog closely, recommended his work to friends, and saw him speak on his book tour for Imagine. For me, he was a writer engaging a very complex but interesting field in a way that was accessible but not oversimplifying.

When I first saw the article about his resignation, it made reference to fabricated or out-of-context quotes from Dylan used in Imagine. Obviously that sounded bad, but it didn't fully explain the extent of his academic dishonesty, which is documented in today's longread. This article, published in Tablet Magazine, served as the impetus for Lehrer's admissions and ultimately his resignation. After reading this, I could not help but feel disappointed, sad, and betrayed.

This whole situation raises a lot of important questions about reporting, science, creativity, and academic integrity. As such, the next few longreads will continue to touch on this topic.

"Jonah Lehrer's Deceptions" by Michael Moynihan
Published in Tablet Magazine, July 30, 2012
http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/107779/jonah-lehrers-deceptions

Eric

PS -- The best comment on this that I got yesterday came from my roommate Gabe, who, after seeing my introduction to the F. Scott Fitzgerald piece, wrote me saying "turns out, counter to your claim on your blog today, you have been reading fiction lately."

Longread #124 -- Thank You For the Light -- 7/30/12

I'm mixing it up today and posting fiction! I think this is a first for the blog, but this is a previously unpublished short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I thought it was a creative and engaging story. I don't read a lot of fiction these days, so my powers of interpretation feel limited, but I'd love to hear your ideas!

"Thank You For the Light" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Published in the New Yorker, August 6, 2012
http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2012/08/06/120806fi_fiction_fitzgerald?currentPage=all

Longread #123 -- Rebooting -- 7/27/12

Alex Hutchinson's Sweat Science blog is a great resource for anyone who is interested in evidence-based information about exercise and training (and running specifically). One issue that comes up repeatedly is the clash between evidence-based research and anecdotal research. One challenge with evidence-based research (such as controlled and randomized clinical trials) is that they are slow to deliver results. Trials take a long time to design, organize, conduct, and analyze, and even once all of that is completed, the results may be statistically insignificant, very narrow, and/or hard to extrapolate the broader population. It gets frustrating to read study after study that just says "we need to do more studies before we can draw conclusions." At the end of the day, though, this sort of research is what enables us to determine what really works (as opposed to what might work based on a placebo effect or some other intervening factor).

Anecdotal evidence can be extremely powerful. It is hard to discount stories of individuals who have experienced profound improvements in their training or health with specific interventions (such as barefoot running, for example). At the same time, it is hard to quantify the effect of these specific interventions for individuals because there are no controls. Moreover, these anecdotal claims are often advanced in order to market a specific product, which always sets off alarm bells for me. I also get frustrated by the one-size-fits-all evangelism of people who have these sorts of anecdotal stories.

This longread is part of why I really enjoy reading Sweat Science. Hutchinson believes firmly in using scientific evidence to drive things like nutrition and exercise. He doesn't hesitate to call out the limitations of certain studies or to point out when anecdotal claims are twisted and leveraged to sell a product. This sense of reasonableness is reflected in this article about "rebooting" -- that sometimes you reach a point where a new approach or intervention is worth trying even if the science behind it is questionable.

Happy Friday and enjoy the Olympics!

“ 'Rebooting,' Platelet-Rich Plasma, and Minimalist Running" by Alex Hutchinson
Published on Sweat Science, July 22, 2012
http://sweatscience.runnersworld.com/2012/07/rebooting-platelet-rich-plasma-and-minimalist-running/

Eric

Longread #122 -- The Strength to Carry On -- 7/26/12

Here's another Olympics-themed article in light of the Opening Ceremonies in London tomorrow. It is an extremely powerful story of someone who survived the concentration camps in World War II to later become an Olympic athlete. More importantly, it depicts his ongoing focus on giving back and trying to find ways to make the world a better place (as cliche as that may sound).

"The Strength to Carry On" by David Epstein
Published in Sports Illustrated, July 9, 2012
http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=From+the+depths+of+loss+and+horror+in+a+Nazi+death+camp%2C+-+07.09.12+-+SI+Vault&urlID=484100211&action=cpt&partnerID=289881&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsillustrated.cnn.com%2Fvault%2Farticle%2Fmagazine%2FMAG1201783%2Findex.htm

Eric

Longread #121 -- Call of Booty -- 7/25/12

Today's longread is another from the sports/athletics field. From ESPN The Magazine's annual "body issue" comes this article about the importance of the glutes in high-level athletic performance. I found this to be of particular interest for several reasons:

1. Since re-aggravating my knee injury, the focus of my physical therapy has been on strengthening the glutes (and supporting muscles).
2. In addition to strengthening those muscles, I'm trying to train myself to use them not just when playing sports but even just when walking.
3. As a result of the previous two points, my glutes have never been so sore. I could barely walk after physical therapy last Wednesday.
4. This article features Dontari Poe, the first round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Work those glutes!

"Call of Booty" by David Fleming
Published in ESPN: The Magazine, July 23, 2012
http://espn.go.com/espn/print?id=8132777&type=story

Eric

Longread #120 -- The Limits of Control -- 7/24/12

Continuing on the sports-related theme from yesterday, today's longread looks at labor conflicts in professional sports. Pierce not only points out the foolishness of the current approach being taken by the NHL and NFL in existing labor disagreements, but also contextualizes those within the wider landscape of labor relations in the U.S. Owners of sports franchises utilize the same techniques to try to snatch power from athletes that they do to maintain control over workers in their other industries. Athletes are better able to resist this thanks to their fame, wealth, and importance to the sport. Even with these things on their side, sports labor unions still routinely get the short end in collective bargaining agreements, and unfortunately, the situation is even worse for most American workers.

Thanks to regular reader Mark Chaikin (MHE81) for sending me this article.

"The Limits of Control" by Charles Pierce
Published on Grantland, July 23, 2012
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8191773/charlie-pierce-sports-management

Eric

Longread #119 -- Will You Still Medal in the Morning? -- 7/23/12

Since the 2012 Summer Olympics start later this week, I'm posting this article from ESPN about the shenanigans of the Olympic Village. On one level, this article reeks of hyperbole and elitism ("think of how much fun and amazing sex that you can only have if you're an Olympic athlete"), but on another level, it's kind of fun to think about some of the world's most disciplined and talented athletes going nuts once every 4 years. I'm a sucker for a story about a ridiculous party, and this one qualifies: 1 month, 10,000 athletes, 100,000 condoms. 

"Will You Still Medal in the Morning?" by Sam Alipour

Published by ESPN, July 14, 2012

http://espn.go.com/espn/print?id=8133052&type=story

Eric

Longread #118 -- The Audition -- 7/20/12

This article provides a glimpse into the high-pressure world of musicians who aspire to be a part of the world's top symphony orchestras. In particular, it looks at the Boston Symphony Orchestra and follows one musician who works tirelessly to try to join it and another who struggled after gaining a spot with the group. I found this to be an interesting take both on this niche world of intense competition as well as a broader reflection on the nature of ambition and the drive to be the best.

"The Audition" by Jennie Dorris
Published in Boston Magazine, July 2012
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/articles/2012/06/boston-symphony-orchestra-audition/print/

Eric

Longread #117 -- Pledge Prep -- 7/19/12

This article was making the rounds on Facebook and Twitter earlier this week. It's pretty easy to bash on the people in this article, and frankly, I'm not going to come to their defense. I'll pile on.

My biggest issue with this article isn't with the coaches; instead, it is with the entire conceptualization of a fraternity or a sorority in this context. I joined a fraternity because a handful of guys who were already my good friends happened to join the same house. It also helped that it was cheaper than other options available, offered a single room, and allowed us to live without an RA. While those perks were nice, for all of us, it was friendship first. This whole sorority interview process with people you've never even met just seems to put the cart before the horse. It formalizes the sorority as an institution of status rather than a place where truly meaningful friendships and interactions happen. For teenage kids just entering college, it is sad to think that they are sacrificing the opportunity to really meet new and different people because they are going through this whole process and being assigned to a sorority or fraternity house ahead of time.

Am I being too judgmental of the more "traditional" Greek system? Or should we just acknowledge and accept (rather than judge) that many people are joining frats and sororities for networking and social status?

"Pledge Prep" by Abigail Sullivan Moore
Published in the New York Times, July 16, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/22/education/edlife/prepping-students-for-sorority-rush.html?_r=3&smid=tw-share&pagewanted=all

Eric

Longread #116 -- Let's Talk Crap -- 7/18/12

It's easy to relegate poop to the realm of either TMI or bathroom humor, but today's longread shows that thinking of crap in that way is truly a luxury. Throughout the world, issues of waste are of vital importance from the perspective of human and environmental health. This interview with journalist and author Rose George brings this issue to light and provides a lot of information that you never knew you wanted to know about crap.

"Let's Talk Crap" by Katharine Mieszkowski
Published on Salon.com, October 16, 2008
http://www.salon.com/2008/10/16/big_necessity/

Eric

Longread #115 -- !!! -- 7/17/12

After yesterday's post, I thought it was important to post something a bit lighter. Here's a humorous take on how grammar has changed in modern communication. I hope you like it!!!

"The joy of exclamation marks!" by Stuart Jeffries
Published in the Guardian, April 2009
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/apr/29/exclamation-mark-punctuation

Eric

Longread #114 -- The Obliterated Place -- 7/16/12

"Sooner or later in life
The things you love you lose."
~Florence + The Machine

There are few emotional experiences more profound than grief. This advice column about "The Obliterated Place" of grief offers some incredibly raw yet touching insights into managing loss that truly seems unmanageable. I'm not often moved emotionally by the longreads that are posted here, but this is a definite exception.

"Dear Sugar, The Rumpus Advice Column #78: The Obliterated Place"
Published in the Rumpus, July 1, 2011
http://therumpus.net/2011/07/dear-sugar-the-rumpus-advice-column-78-the-obliterated-place/

Eric

Longread #113 -- The Unspoken Jobs Problem -- 7/13/12

This is an eye-opening piece about jobs in America and the racial disparities in unemployment. Kroll breaks down a number of the possible explanations and reviews some pretty dismal studies about how differently white and black job-seekers are perceived. I wish I had an elaborate commentary, but at the end of the day, this is just flat out wrong.

"What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Jobs" by Andy Kroll
Published in The Nation, July 5, 2011
http://www.thenation.com/article/161807/what-we-dont-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-jobs?page=full#

Eric

Longread #112 -- Glass-Steagall -- 7/12/12

Reinstating Glass-Steagall just seems like a no-brainer to me. Yesterday's author, Matt Taibbi, is one of many who have made this point over and over again. Financial entities should be able to hold deposits and have those deposits be backed by the federal government. Financial entities should also be able to engage in investment banking that involves more significant risk-taking. But they should not be able to do both. The government shouldn't bankroll Wall Street gambling, and I fail to see how disparate groups like Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party can't even come together on an issue like this. The only way this should be allowed is if the government also gets to dictate a whole host of other conditions such as limits on and clawbacks for executive compensation, which of course, are steadfastly opposed by Wall Street.

Thanks to my friend Cole Robinson for suggesting this article.

"Why I was won over by Glass-Steagall" by Luigi Zingales
Published in the Financial Times, June 10, 2012
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/cb3e52be-b08d-11e1-8b36-00144feabdc0.html#axzz205VCftoP

Eric

Longread #111 -- The Scam Wall Street Learned from the Mafia -- 7/11/12

Sometimes it feels like I'm being redundant when posting articles about economic crimes committed by major players in the financial industry. Frankly, I would love to stop posting exposes like this, but as long as these flagrant violations of the law and human decency continue, I feel a need to draw as much attention to them as possible. In this longread, Matt Taibbi documents how Wall Street firms deliberately manipulated auctions on municipal bonds with the effect of stealing billions of dollars from the public sector over the past several years. With virtually every municipality struggling to make ends meet and cutting important public services to close budget shortfalls, this kind of white-collar crime is just sickening.

"The Scam Wall Street Learned from the Mafia" by Matt Taibbi
Published in Rolling Stone, June 21, 2012
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-scam-wall-street-learned-from-the-mafia-20120620

Eric

Longread #110 -- Follow the Dark Money -- 7/10/12

There are a lot of problems in America: anyone who is paying attention can quickly rattle off a handful of social and economic issues in need of tremendous reform efforts. Traditionally, we have focused on fixing these problems through government action and envision elections as a primary means of dictating our course of action. By most accounts, though, this strategy has failed. Elections have often produced candidates who are unsatisfying or worse, and even when progressive legislation is attempted, it is often watered down through regulatory or judicial channels. In my view, the key element that stymies progress -- whether through elections or effective legislation -- is the amount of money in politics. The ability to curry favor with influential people gives a decided advantage to powerful, monied interests with very little recourse for the everyday person. Movements like Occupy Wall Street strive to bring this issue to the fore, but significant campaign finance regulations have been few and far between. In this longread, Andy Kroll of Mother Jones traces the history of campaign finance reform and reveals many of the key players who circumvent it at every turn.

"Follow the Dark Money" by Andy Kroll
Published in Mother Jones, July/August 2012
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/06/history-money-american-elections


Eric

Longread #109 -- The Fast and the Furious Scandal -- 7/9/12

At the same time that the Obama administration was celebrating a positive ruling from the Supreme Court about the Affordable Care Act (ACA), they received bad news as the Fast and the Furious Scandal escalated with Attorney General Eric Holder being held in contempt of Congress by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. At issue is a firearm interdiction program in Arizona known as Operation Fast and Furious. This article goes into detail about the scandal and demonstrates how the facts have been manipulated in order to throw political hand grenades.

"The Truth About the Fast and the Furious Scandal" by Katherine Eban
Published in Forbes, June 27, 2012
http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2012/06/27/fast-and-furious-truth/

Eric

Longread #108 -- The Rise and Fall of White Bread -- 7/6/2012

Today's longread, the last in this week's food theme, comes from my undergrad thesis adviser -- Whitman College politics professor Aaron Bobrow-Strain. This article is an excerpt from his recently-published book about the history of white bread in America. It is easy to think of white bread as just another product on the shelves, but Bobrow-Strain carefully analyzes the underlying social and political contexts -- touching on issues like social justice, food politics, industrial food production, and others -- in which white bread rose and fell. 


"The Rise and Fall of White Bread" by Aaron Bobrow-Strain
Published at Salon.com, March 3, 2012
http://www.salon.com/2012/03/03/the_rise_and_fall_of_white_bread/singleton/

Eric

Longrad #107 -- Snacks For a Fat Planet -- 7/5/2012

Sweetened soft drinks and high-calorie snacks are typically considered to be key villains in America's problem with obesity. Today's longread is about how PepsiCo, one of the largest companies manufacturing these products, is looking to incorporate healthier foods into its product line. Because of their distribution networks, expertise in branding and marketing, and sheer scale of their customer base, companies like PepsiCo have the potential to significantly change the composition of the average American diet. However, I think we should continue to have a heavy dose of skepticism about the goals and intentions behind these sorts of campaigns by behemoth processed-food manufacturers. In the end, my concern is that as long as our focus is to manufacture cheap food in huge quantities, we probably will fail to adequately tackle America's weight problem.

"Snacks For a Fat Planet" by John Seabrook
Published in the New Yorker, May 2011
http://byliner.com/john-seabrook/stories/snacks-for-a-fat-planet

Eric

Longread #106 -- Oklahoma Joe's BBQ -- 7/3/2012

This one doesn't need much introduction. Many people have called BBQ the true American food, and for my money, nobody does it better than Oklahoma Joe's in Kansas City. Here's the story of Okie Joe's from KC's Pitch Weekly.

Happy 4th!!

"Jeff Stehney is opening his third Oklahoma Joe's -- and he says it's his last" by Jonathan Bender
Published in the Pitch, June 19, 2012
http://www.pitch.com/gyrobase/oklahoma-joes-jeff-stehney/Content?oid=2914103&showFullText=true

Eric

Longread #105 -- Salt -- 7/2/2012

Gary Taubes has spent years challenging conventional wisdom about the causes of obesity and diabetes (such as in Longread #32 in which he argues that these problems are caused by consumption of carbohydrates and not fat). In this article, he takes on the conventional wisdom about salt. Studies in the field of nutrition can be extremely difficult to conduct, and it is refreshing to read a quality writer like Taubes who asks difficult questions about what we really know.

"Salt, We Misjudged You" by Gary Taubes
Published in the New York Times, June 3, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/03/opinion/sunday/we-only-think-we-know-the-truth-about-salt.html?smid=fb-share

Eric