July 17, 2017

Maryam Mirzakhani, the first and only woman to win the prestigious Fields Medal, dies at 40 from breast cancer. / Associated Press

Always of interest: Jon Wertheim’s “50 Parting Thoughts,” this time from Wimbledon 2017. / Sports Illustrated

“They’re the cutting edge in bodybuilding, putting finishing touches on these bodies that are impressive but really quite dysfunctional, when you think about it.” Weightlifters need not apply: A report on the state-of-the-art in bodybuilding, where massive bodies require “targeted, sculpting-oil injections,” implants, and lots of human growth hormone. / Virginia Quarterly Review

Lisa Whiteman reports from the California roller rink that’s held an organ night every Tuesday since Eisenhower. / Narratively

To understand the Qatar blockade, think of “a Persian Gulf version of the fictional pirate bar in Star Wars. ” / The New York Times

“I’ve never been this emotionally invested in a political leader in my life... The more they hate him, the more I want him to succeed. Because what they hate about him is what they hate about me.” Peter Hessler reports from Grand Junction, Colo., on how Trump’s rhetoric and style are rubbing off on residents—from small-town media fights to local magic shows. / The New Yorker

To combat the alt-right, a new strain of progressive liberalism is emerging from the internet: “the dirtbag left.” / Maclean’s

Tacos v. burritos: American cities organized according to “the great divide in Mexican-American cuisine.” / Priceonomics

No surprise that digital networks are expanding, to a point that locations without wifi or cellular coverage are becoming tough to find. A new app, White Spots, finds them for you. / white-spots.net

The tech boom finally reaches rural America—in the form of fulfillment centers. / CNBC

At a new Star Wars -themed hotel in Orlando, employees will stay in costume and character at all times. / TechCrunch

A surprisingly good guide, stocked with interviews and anecdotes, for “the 100 greatest props in movie history.” / Thrillist

Reporter who received 2001 R. Kelly sex tape breaks account of singer’s ongoing, cult-like control of several women. / BuzzFeed

In a year of record violence against defenders of the environment: quarter of deaths at hands of state authorities. / The Guardian

Is The Green Parent the most joyless magazine ever seen? (Yet more proof: green magazine covers are cursed.) / Laura Barton

In case you were wondering: a data dump of “the weirdest stuff that Europe has to offer.” / Ask MetaFilter

Report from Nucla, Colo., a town founded by socialists, where everyone now is legally required to own a gun. / The Guardian