How to pop (a wheelie).
More than four million people in the United States received a coronavirus vaccine on Saturday amid a rising caseload and increase in hospitalizations. / The Washington Post
At the same time, more than six million people have taken flights since Thursday, many of them spring breakers. "America appears to be done with the pandemic. The virus is not done with us." / CNN, Sky News
If only the US government had handled the coronavirus as well as the NFL. / Marginal Revolution
A secret recording of a restaurant in a private Paris mansion, with patrons flouting mask mandates, sparks outrage in France. / NPR
Resilience seems in short supply, and signs of prolonged stress are in abundance; even Susan Orlean isn't productive right now. / The New York Times
See also: The problem with therapy apps. (But why is the iPhone's Notes app so good for bad poetry?) / The Cut, Refinery29
Related/unrelated: Kim Cross spent a month during lockdown learning how to pop a wheelie. / Outside
Sexual assault has become "an integral part" of the war in Tigray, with vast evidence of atrocities against civilians. / The New York Times
Any probe into war crimes in Tigray stands little chance of being effective if it's not conducted solely by the United Nations. / African Arguments
#FreeSenegal is a textbook case of a youth movement demanding democracy—in a country long considered West Africa's most stable. / The Washington Post
Interview with an automation consultant—a job, he says, that many colleagues quit over the idea that they're killing jobs. / Futureproof
"Cancel" is the latest term to originate in Black culture only to be appropriated by white people "and thrashed to death." / The Washington Post
Beth Nguyen, formerly Bich Nguyen, explains what it's like to not have "an American name" in the United States. / The New Yorker
Ashley Cole, Louise Howard, and other good names on a list of 21 artists to collect in 2021, if your bank account allows. / Saatchi Art
Live Nation's stock is up despite a concert-less 2020—because investors see no other future for live music. / Pitchfork
See also: a nicely written history of techno by Marcus Barnes. / Beatport
We're nearly two years late to this, but that doesn't make it any less fun to watch: How to turn your Tesla into a pickup truck. And if you've ever wondered what it would be like to be Newt Gingrich's third wife, not to mention the FaceTuner of his neck. / The Morning News, Trashberg
And now a brief chat with a recent Sustaining Member, Daniel J.
Hi, Daniel! You found TMN through the Tournament of Books, is that right? I became aware of the ToB in 2015. At the time, I was actually feeling a bit bored with my reading. When I heard about the ToB, I realized that what I needed was to branch out and explore a greater variety of novels. Having the shortlist as a guide saved me from the choice paralysis brought on by bookstores, but it's really the Commentariat that keeps me coming back. It's such a joy for me to have my understanding of a novel expanded by reading others' perspectives, and it seems that happens almost daily during the tournament.
That's great to hear. Thank you for participating! Thank you both for making the Tournament, and Camp ToB, happen! This year in particular, if I may quote Judge Sonya Chung, "my calibrated, reliable introversion crossed into darker places" and the ToB has been a lifesaver.
Extra ice cream for Daniel and all of our supporters who keep TMN going. Join them by becoming a Sustaining Member or making a one-time donation today. 🍦
Got a correction, or a link we should consider? Email us or just reply to this newsletter.
Since 1999, your Headlines are sourced and written by Andrew Womack and Rosecrans Baldwin, and arrive in your inbox, Monday through Saturday. View this edition and the latest Headlines at TMN.