Something is Danish in the state of California
Historians say the United States is on the cusp of "competitive authoritarianism." / Foreign Affairs
Chris Geidner: Trump and Musk are trying to sell America on being an authoritarian state, "but they can't do it unless we allow them to do so." / LAWdork
The State Department plans to spend $400 million on armored Teslas. / The Guardian
Tressie McMillan Cotton: What Musk is sowing is chaos as content. / The New York Times [+]
President Trump's "energy whisperer" is Harold Hamm, the billionaire behind fracking company Continental Resources. / Heated
See also: "You know what Denmark needs? More sunshine, palm trees, and roller skates." Nearly 200,000 Danes—seemingly—sign a petition to buy California. / KTLA
Fewer than 40% of the 465 homes destroyed by the 2018 Woolsey fire in Malibu have been rebuilt. / The Los Angeles Times
The story behind history's largest and most famous disability access ramp. / Ex Urbe
Landlording in New York City is said to be a nesting doll of companies and agents that "protects wealth and shields against consequence." / Curbed
Unrelated: Why you stacked plastic cups in elementary school gym class. / Defector [+]
Anticipating Valentine's Day, some comic panels that resemble the cover of The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan. / Ironic Sans
Singles in India are turning to AI for help with arranged marriages. / The Walrus
What does it say about philosophy that almost all of its canonical figures were unmarried men? / aeon
See also, from January: What was the "horny profile?" / Flaming Hydra
A beautifully designed "humiliating list of all the ways your brain can deceive you." / Futility Closet
And now a brief chat with a new Sustaining Member, Kellie S.!
Kellie, you found us via the ToB, yeah? I just heard about the Tournament of Books from a Field Notes newsletter.
That's great! Welcome! BUT I’ve been conducting my own mental tournament for my entire life, so I’m just happy to find that I am not alone. I’m very excited for the full experience!
꩜ We're here thanks to generous supporters like Kellie. Become a Sustaining Member today and help us do what we do! 𖦹 ꩜ ｡𖦹°‧⭑
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Your headlines are sourced and composed by Rosecrans Baldwin (☜) and Andrew Womack, Monday through Friday. View this edition and the latest headlines at TMN.