Summer Rooster-ing: It's August in Camp ToB!

Social reading in the time of lockdown. August begins in Camp ToB 2020 with much discussion of writers and lovers!

The Morning News

A comparison of average tree heights, from a keshitsubo (0.08 meters) to a sequoia (116 meters).

Aug 15, 2019
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Why do we have so few big telecom companies? Because Robert Bork once wrote a book.

Some good podcast episodes we discovered recently, thanks to the (always good) weekly links roundup by Innovations for Poverty Action, that explain why your cable and phone bills are so high.

And, related/unrelated:

11h
For academics and business travelers: An analysis from July of methods to decarbonize conference travel after COVID-19.
↩︎ Nature 11h
How long have you been reading TMN? When did you discover the Tournament of Books? Is today the day you become a Sustainer?
↩︎ TMN Memberships 11h
Reformist Republicans are divided over how to remake their party after Trump, but one problem unifies them: the Republican voter.
↩︎ The Week 11h

I’m heading into the kind of rural emptiness where you double-check the gas level and rearview mirror. I’m outdoorsy enough to find all of this achingly romantic, but my less generous city friends might call it serial killer country.

Sarah Hepola hits the road for some pandemic-era travel. Destination: Uncertain, Texas.
↩︎ Texas Highways
11h

“The job loss has made us talk about the future more. Not just our future together, but our goals and what we want for ourselves as individuals.”

Three African American couples discuss how they’ve strengthened their bonds despite unemployment due to the coronavirus.
↩︎ Essence
11h
Chemicals used for making nonstick or water-resistant products can be found in the blood of an estimated 99 percent of Americans.
↩︎ Vox 11h
During the first six months of 2020, gun sales increased by 95%, and the highest sales increase was among African Americans.
↩︎ Yahoo! News 11h
The coronavirus not only highlights our racial disparities, it's actually intensifying systemic racism against Black Americans.
↩︎ The New Yorker 11h
To celebrate the return of basketball, artist Victor Solomon transforms a dilapidated court with gold-dusted resin.
↩︎ HYPEBEAST 1d
In Japan, a "wakaresaseya" agency can be hired (at great expense) to break up your spouse's romantic affairs.
↩︎ BBC Worklife 1d
Intelligence officials are trying to tie activists considered “antifa” to the Kurds, enabling warrantless search and surveillance.
↩︎ The Nation 1d
Mona Chalabi: That database recently obtained by ProPublica finds New York City spending almost $21,000 per minute on the NYPD.
↩︎ The Guardian 1d
In case you hadn't heard, some COVID‑19 survivors in the United States have been hit with seven-figure medical bills.
↩︎ The Guardian 1d
Experts say to prepare for the possibility of COVID-19 vaccines being "reactogenic," basically a little bit painful.
↩︎ STAT 1d

I am trying to build a rock for everyone else to stand on while also being swept away myself all the time.

An interview with the Atlantic’s star coronavirus writer, Ed Yong.
↩︎ CNN
1d
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