June 20, 2017
Eighty-one percent of Japanese, but only 14% of Americans, draw circles clockwise. / Quartz
The Mexican government tracks human rights lawyers, journalists, and anti-corruption activists with spyware. / The New York Times
Summer is officially here, but no one told California’s Sierra snowpack. / Climate Central
It costs gas stations and restaurants between $500 and $4,000 a year to advertise on freeway exit signs. / Jalopnik
Fifty-six percent of Brits say Corbyn should seize empty Kensington mansions to house homeless Grenfell victims. / YouGov
Note to this woman who’s documenting her literal consumption of Infinite Jest —yes, eating it instead of reading it: may contain substances. / YouTube
Parties and super PACs have poured more than $50 million into winning a single House seat in north Atlanta. / CNN
Tanzania shuts down newspaper that linked former presidents to mining corruption. / Committee to Protect Journalists
On view in Manchester, in case you’re in the UK: new paintings by local artist Lindsey Bull. / Lindsey Bull: Paintings
Americans who slag Lyft’s “shuttle” service don’t understand the jitney concept. / Marginal Revolution
“This blog is running the risk of all writing, which is critique but no suggestion. Let me counter that with a practical post: I’m going to teach you how to get shot without dying.” Well, that’s one way to open an essay. Your #longread for the day, Lou Keep’s “The Use and Abuse of Witchdoctors for Life,” regarding the applications of gri-gri and other magic. / Sam[]zdat
When Ukraine became a test lab for Russia’s cyber weapons, “the quintessential cyberwar scenario” came to life. / WIRED
“The contortions to which so many liberals resort to avoid connecting bombings, massacres, persecutions, and cultural vandalism to Islamic jihadism is remarkable, given their usual animosity to religion.” A new interview with Camille Paglia, with much defense of Trump, much harping on the media, much advice for Democrats. / The Weekly Standard
Brief profiles of some of Macron’s new lawmakers, many of whom are brand new to national politics. / Reuters
Hey, film nerds: the trailer for writer-director Bertrand Tavernier’s My Journey Through French Cinema. See here for a light background on the film. / The Hollywood Reporter