Benched for good
Nearly two and a half million girls have been denied access to secondary education since the Taliban returned to power five years ago. / DW
UNESCO says over 90% of 10-year-olds in Afghanistan can’t read, with national literacy rates around 37%. / Reuters
Regarding this summer’s record-breaking temperatures: “It’s not good when you’re breaking records from the Dust Bowl.” / The Associated Press
Scientists describe a new type of heat wave—unusually high temperatures in the spring and early summer—as a “snow eater.” / Grist
Europeans brace for yet another heat wave and they’re not pleased about it. / The New York Times [$]
A French marathon that supplies runners with wine, cheese, and croissants sells out in nine minutes. / The Wall Street Journal [$]
Meanwhile, Europeans scramble to acquire protective glasses for today’s solar eclipse, having 139 years to prepare. / Semafor
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Workers explain how they’re avoiding or sabotaging their managers’ mandates to use artificial intelligence. / Aftermath
A company advertising services for medical researchers that are “100% human-written, never AI,” is entirely AI. / 404 Media
A round-up of new (presumably human-made) artworks available for under $2,500. / Artsy
See also: For people in Southern California, a new show of works about a departed, treasured restaurant. / Gallery Luisotti
Reflections on what it’s like to live in London’s now-revered Brutalist Barbican. / The New York Times [$]
An ode to summer, despite the heat, if you live in the suburbs with children. / The Atlantic [$]
Some thoughts on Donald Judd’s benches: “The difference between a bench that is bought and a bench that is made… turns out not to be a difference of economics at all.” / The Idle Gazette
A Wednesday shout-out to our sustaining members who provide so much support 🪑. If TMN matters to you, maybe today is the day you become a member, too? – Rosecrans & Andrew