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