Headlines from October 10, 2012

“Romney frantically figuring out how tax plan could actually work after realizing he might win election.”
The complex history of presidents trying to be funny.
A bad lip reading of the first 2012 presidential debate. #video
Old Economy Steven has it better than his parents—and his kids. #memes
U.S. no longer has a Protestant majority—mainly because fewer Americans claim a religious affiliation.
Homer described it as robbing Odysseus of any willpower. Ancient drugs and where to get them. #drugs
Related: Their minds, they said, had blossomed and contracted with the universe. #tmn
Polanski underage sex scandal victim, now 47, to publish memoir in fall 2013.
In 1959, the British Foreign Secretary predicted post-Empire Africa—and was correct on some counts.
Honduras offers gang members a new life, starting with tattoo removal. #video
“Internet tsar,” novelist among high-profile donors who have saved UK’s Orange Prize.
You should not need to audition for a cab. What to know about living in New York. #newyorknewyork
Sarah Hepola: “Here Is Everything I Learned in New York City.” #tmn
Pandora CEO announces attractive earnings for artists: $135K to Bon Iver, $3M to Drake, Lil Wayne.
Detroit rapper Danny Brown visits the most recent Gathering of the Juggalos. #video
Cartoonists pay tribute to Matt Groening’s Life in Hell.
Pentagon task force sent to Jordan in case turmoil in Syria should expand into a wider conflict.
Diplomacy is as much about optics as reality. The pro-U.S. case for helping Iran save face.
Terrific article about the predetermined square dance that people do in elevators.
A tale of two lawyers: One wants to inject more money into politics; one represents Stephen Colbert.
France security forces find explosives in raid on suspected anti-Semitic ring outside Paris.
Taliban attacks 14-year-old who was an outspoken advocate of education for girls.
Years later I would find out just how dark the entire story was. Life of a crime reporter. #tmn
Five years ago, the women captured in last week’s “Stingray Photobomb” meme tried to get the picture on Ellen.
Linguistic history of how the meaning of “entitlement” has changed from a legitimate to an illegitimate claim.
The $1 billion food-truck industry has grown 8.4 percent annually in the U.S. since the recession.
Illustrated guide to cork production—much more interesting than that sounds. via
Fact of the day: Abraham Lincoln’s grandfather, Abraham Lincoln, was also shot and killed. via
Advice on whether or not to shave your child’s unibrow, and how best to deal with Five Guys’ fries.
MythBusters recreate famous Titanic scene to see if Jack and Rose could both have lived.
Here is an unmistakable talent unashamed of making itself a motley to the view. Withering early reviews of classic novels.
Video tour of Gay Talese’s “bunker” office beneath his home. #video
Dutch library composed of a five-story “book mountain” includes “a 1,500 foot-long route throughout multiple levels of literature.”