4 January 2011: Morning By The Morning News — 04 Jan 2011 This time, America really is in decline: picking apart the arguments that insist otherwise. If China is the next superpower, that's news to the Chinese. Eager Republicans want to undo the last Congress--except their constituents want job creation, not patriotic posturing. Focus groups during the development of MTV teen drama Skins say the darndest things. People are at their unhappiest in their 40s and early 50s. The global average is 46. Our population will hit seven billion by year's end, but with social programs and conservation, there's hope yet. Bumblebee study shows a 96% drop in four common species--low genetic diversity and disease may be the cause. Scientists believe fireworks are behind the deaths of 3,000 blackbirds; officials say we'll never know; residents won't miss the poop. Lawyers for Toyota plaintiffs switch tactics--Toyota wonders if it's because they can't find evidence of defects. I longed to be the girl sinking into the corner booth till the lights flickered on. Sarah Hepola on a life with drink and a future without. The Millions rounds up its most-anticipated books of 2011. Indie press discusses the visual and business models of book-selling in an increasingly digital publishing world. Longreads introduces reading mixtures, invites readers to participate. Stereo Stack: graphic "stereo" banners from vintage LPs, stacked.
