Thank Whichever Sky Deity You Give Offerings To, Today’s The Last Day The Sun Will Rise At 8:38 AM (In Calgary) For Awhile. It Gets Incrementally Easier From Here, Folks!
Mes chouchous (and French speakers, please let me know if I am saying anything absolutely offensive, mmmkay?), HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE! That’s right, you’ve reached the longest day of the year, which means that the days only get shorter from here and that debilitating SAD we’re all feeling will be slightly lessened each day. Thank goodness for seasons, and congrats on making it this far into 2020, it’s truly an achievement of epic proportions.
I am officially on holiday until after the new year, as evidenced by the fact I just spent 30 minutes going down a rabbit hole on this article about how the reporter Christie Smythe fell in love with “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli. It’s a beautifully written and surprisingly intimate portrait of an unfortunately recognizable relationship dynamic built on wavering access, inconsistent affection, consistent conflict and pushed boundaries (the article states that at the start of their reporting relationship, “‘After that, “he kept toying with me for a while,’ Smythe says. He would dangle an on-the-record interview and then grant one to one of her competitors.”) I went into it gawking like a tourist but ended it with such empathy for Smythe; if you’ve ever loved a narcissist, you’ll see a lot of yourself in this piece.
I cannot stop laughing at this: “A Christmas "Winter Village" Is Being Called The “Fyre Festival” Of Kids Santa Events”
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, FTW: “Great success in one field can lead to the delusion that all your thoughts are great.” FWIW, I feel like this piece could be applied to many of the opinionated VCs and tech darlings running off on twitter about politics and policy, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Fantastic journalist and wonderful political/history podcast host John Dickerson wants you to read about “Jefferson on a person who assumes the public trust,” and you should definitely do that right away, please.
And finally, I do love McSweeney’s oh so much: Are You Baking Cookies With Children Or Starring In A Gritty Crime Procedural?
Hey there, be kind to each other, why don’t you! Wear a mask, wash your hands, avoid gatherings, drink some water. Hugs all around!
xoxo Amy