Longread #465 -- Summer Is for Skinny People -- 7/3/14

"Summer Is for Skinny People" by Sean Nelson
Published in the Stranger, July 2, 2014

Eric

Longread #464 -- Never PUNting This Blog -- 6/19/14

Well, it's been awhile, but here's a fun one!

"At the World Pun Championships, Victory Is Easier Said Than Punned" by Zachary Pincus-Roth

Published in LA Weekly, June 5, 2014

Eric

Longread #461 -- Is it OK to make art? -- 4/3/14

Lots to think about with this one...

"Is it OK to make art?" by Rhys Southan
Published in Aeon Magazine, March 20, 2014

Eric

Longread #458 -- The Dark Power of Fraternities -- 3/24/14

I was worried at first that this would be a standard hit-piece on fraternities. While those stories are often warranted by the facts, they often follow similar incidents without looking at any bigger picture. On the other hand, this investigative piece takes a much deeper look into the role of fraternities in campus life, how they are organized, and many of the risks that arise from their growth.

"The Dark Power of Fraternities" by Caitlin Flanagan
Published in the Atlantic, February 19, 2014

Eric

Longread #456 -- A Brief History of Serving Homeless Youth in Seattle -- 3/14/14

It's not uncommon to hear people (especially politicians) bemoan the cost or inefficiency of social services. It's also easy for people who are sympathetic to society's disfavored groups to become overwhelmed by the magnitude of social problems. I really enjoyed this article because I think it speaks to both of those issues.

In looking at the history of services for homeless youth in Seattle, it shows how a few individuals took steps to make isolated acts of compassion and kindness into a broad network of integrated support for some of society's most vulnerable people. It also belies the notion that social services are inherently inefficient as for decades many of these organizations have done more with less. Overall, I was just so impressed by the dedication of so many people to try to make this city more attuned to the needs of people who had for too long been forgotten.

"When we paid caseworkers in cookies: A brief history of serving homeless youth" by Sinan Demirel
Published in Crosscut, March 5, 2014

Eric

Longread #450 -- The Empathy Exams -- 2/7/14

Empathy is a major topic at my work. This essay starts from an uncommon perspective (of a Medical Actor) while weaving in her personal experience as an actual patient to explore the critical but often messy world of empathy and coping with emotional trauma.

"The Empathy Exams" by Leslie Jamison
Published in the Believer, February 2014

Eric

Longread #448 -- the Suicide Epidemic -- 2/5/14

"The Suicide Epidemic" by Tony Dokoupil
Published in Newsweek, May 22, 2013

Eric

Longread #445 -- In the Name of Love -- 1/31/14

"In the Name of Love" by Miya Tokumitsu
Published in Jacobin Magazine, January 2014

Eric

Longread #442 -- Why Women Aren’t Welcome on the Internet -- 1/28/14

This is an extremely troubling story, and I was especially impressed by how honestly the author addressed the challenges involved (including free speech, limitations of the legal system, etc.) despite herself having been threatened online.

"Why Women Aren't Welcome on the Internet" by Amanda Hess
Published in the Pacific Standard, January 6, 2014

In related news, I just saw this yesterday -- "Pair jailed over abusive tweets to feminist campaigner."

Eric

Longread #441 -- Feuds and Plots -- 1/27/14

People do the darndest things. Thanks to reader B. Bruce for the recommendation.

"The Elvis Impersonator, the Karate Instructor, a Fridge Full of Severed Heads, and the Plot 2 Kill the President" by Wells Tower
Published in GQ, October 2013

Eric

Longread #440 -- The Sorry Lives and Confusing Times of Today's Young Men -- 1/23/14

"The Sorry Lives and Confusing Times of Today's Young Men" by Sandy Hingston
Published in Philadelphia Magazine, February 20, 2012

Eric

Longread #431 -- Our Orgastic Future -- 12/31/13

What better way to ring in the new year than an article about our orgastic future.

HAPPY 2014!!!

"Our Orgastic Future" by Jack Hitt
Published in Lapham's Quarterly, Spring 2013

Eric

Longread #429 -- Schizophrenic. Killer. My Cousin. -- 12/27/13

"Schizophrenic. Killer. My Cousin." by Mac McClelland
Published in Mother Jones, May/June 2013

Eric

Longread #428 -- What Makes a Jewish Mother -- 12/26/13

"What Makes a Jewish Mother" by Caren Chesler
Published in the New York Times Well Blog, June 3, 2013

Eric

Longread #427 -- The Homeschool Apostates -- 12/24/13

This whole article is good, but I especially liked the part about the role of debate in influencing how homeschooled students saw the world around them.

"The Homeschool Apostates" by Kathryn Joyce
Published in the American Prospect, December 4, 2013

Eric

Longread #425 -- Lady Bird Special -- 12/20/13

"Lady Bird Special" by Meredith Hindley
Published in Humanities, May/June 2013

Eric

Longread #422 -- Invisible Child -- 12/17/13

"Invisible Child" by Andrea Elliott
Published in the New York Times, December 9, 2013

Eric

Longread #415 -- Russell Brand -- 12/5/13

Russell Brand's turn to radical politics has been interesting to see. What I liked about this op-ed piece by him is the distinction between being "trusted" and "trustworthy."

"The Sun on Sunday lied about me last week. Have they learned nothing?" by Russell Brand
Published in the Guardian, November 29, 2013

Eric

Longread #408 -- Minimum Income -- 11/15/13

"Switzerland’s Proposal to Pay People for Being Alive" by Annie Lowrey
Published in the New York Times, November 12, 2013

Eric

Longread #404 -- Stranger in a Strange Land -- 11/8/13

Meant to post this yesterday, but I forgot. So it goes...

Happy Friday!

"Stranger in a Strange Land" by Rany Jazayerli
Published on Grantland, November 1, 2013

Eric