Reading for the Week of 1/16/2022
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" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/jamierubin.net/wp-c..." data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/jamierubin.net/wp-c..." loading="lazy" width="900" height="596" src="https://i0.wp.com/jamierubin.net/wp-c..." alt="person reading magazine" class="wp-image-20937" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/jamierubin.net/wp-c... 1880w, https://i0.wp.com/jamierubin.net/wp-c... 400w, https://i0.wp.com/jamierubin.net/wp-c... 550w, https://i0.wp.com/jamierubin.net/wp-c... 768w, https://i0.wp.com/jamierubin.net/wp-c... 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/jamierubin.net/wp-c... 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/jamierubin.net/wp-c... 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" data-recalc-dims="1" />Photo by Ekrulila on Pexels.comHere is the weekly summary of what I read this week. I think this week shows I try for a pretty wide range of subjects. The butterfly effect of reading always guides me.
BooksFinished Scientist: E. O. Wilson, A Life in Nature by Richard Rhodes. This was a short, but interesting biography of the naturalist, E. O. Wilson, who passed away recently. I’ve enjoyed Wilson’s writing over the years, but I really love Richard Rhodes writing. His book The Making of the Atomic Bomb is phenomenal, and not just as science history, but as a practical lesson in large-scale project management. His biography of Wilson was enjoyable, but there wasn’t much new to learn in this biography that Wilson hadn’t already written about in his memoir, Naturalist. On Human Nature by Edward O. Wilson. Clearly an example of the butterfly effect of reading. This is one of two Pulitzer prize-winning books by Wilson and one of his books that I hadn’t already read. Because it plays such a big part in his scientific life, I figured I should read it and now I have. I prefer his books that are more specific, like his books on ants and insects. This one was more like his book Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge, which was a difficult conceptual read for me, and more abstract than his books on observations in nature.StartedWe Are the Nerds: The Birth and Tumultuous Life of Reddit, the Internet’s Culture Laboratory by Christine Lagorio-Chafkin. This week, I started to really use reddit this week for the first time in years (Here is one example). I like to know what I am doing, so I thought a history of the service would be a good place to start.Gave up on Cloud Cockoo Land by Anthony Doerr. This came highly recommended by a friend, and while I’ll likely go back and give it another try in the future, it just wasn’t what I was looking for at the moment. I made it maybe a quarter of the way into the book before giving up. I’ve learned that I can’t spend time on a book that isn’t work for me. There’s too much else out there to read. Maybe another time.Articles/posts“Read Better with Craft and Readwise” by Robert Breen (blog) #productivity“What Is Joe Biden Thinking?)” by Ross Douthat (NY Times, 1/15/22) #politicsThe Sublime Beauty of My Friend Bob Saget’s Filthy Comedy” by Penn Jillette (NY Times, 1/15/22) #opinionGlenn Youngkin’s Hidden Advantage: Virginia Democrats” by James Hohmann (Washington Post, 1/15/22) #politicsThe Library the Internet Can’t Get Enough Of” by Kate Dwyer (NY Times, 1/15/22) #libraries. Hat tip to reader, Bill, for calling this one to my attention.“What Happens We We Die?” by Maria Papova (Marginalian)“Routine Maintenance” by Meghan O’Gieblyn (Harper’s, December 2021) #habits. This is a long, thoughtful piece on the role of habits in our life.“The Old Man and the Tree” by Jonny Diamond (Smithsonian, Jan/Feb 22) #trees #ecology“Why We’re Freaking Out About Substack” by Ben Smith (NY Times, Apr 2021) #blogs. As a paid subscriber to several Substack newsletters, I’m fascinated by their model. I’ll have more to say about this in a post later this week.“The Veterinarian Brings His Healing Presence to Pets of the Unhoused” by Carol Mithers (Smithsonian, Jan/Feb 2022) #pets #homeless“Glenn Youngkin Triggers a Mask Meltdown in Virginia” by Jim Geraghty (National Review, Jan 17, 2022) #covid“What If We Just Stopped Being So Available” by Jon Pinsker (The Atlantic, Jan 14, 2022) #productivity“Staying Put For 60 Years” by Wendy Goodman (New York Magazine) #design #lifestyle“Biden Can Still Rescue His Presidency” by Bret Stephens (NT Times, Jan 18, 2022) #politics #opinion“What I Talk About When I Talk About Favourites” on What’s That Mark’s Reading (1/19/2022) #books“Communicate as if ‘one one foot’” by Mike Dariano (The Waiter’s Pad, 1/19/22) #communication“Cimarron (1931): Taming No-Man’s Land” by Melanie Novak (melanienovak.com). #film #criticism This is part of Melanie’s fantastic Golden Age of Hollywood series where she dives deep into films from the Golden Age.“Something Has to Give in the Housing Market. Or Does It?” by Emily Badger (NY Times, Jan 20, 2022) #economics“Why AI Writing Assistants are a Good Thing for Content Creation” by Yakup Özkardes-Cheung (Entrepreneur, 1/16/22) #AI #writing“Unanimous” by Joe Posnanski (Substack, 1/20/22) #baseball An interesting look at those players who got unanimous or nearly unanimous votes for MVP.“Amanda Gorman: Why I Almost Didn’t Read My Poem at the Inauguration” by Amanda Gorman (NY Times, 1/20/22)“The 5G Controversy: What’s It All About” by James Fallows (Substack, 1/20/22) #aviation In addition to being an excellent journalist, Fallows is a pilot and as a former pilot, I still enjoy reading about aviation now and then (although it often makes me wish I still flew). This is a great summary of the issues being debated about 5G signals near airports.“After Omicron, we could use a break. We may just get it” by Helen Branswell (Stat, 1/18/22)“Have We Forgotten How to Read Critically?” by Kate Harding (Dame Magazine) #reading #longform“The Silent, Vaccinated, Impatient Majority” by Yasmeen Serhan (The Atlantic, 1/17/22) #covid #politics“Zettelkasten — How One German Scholar Was So Freakishly Productive” by David B. Clear (Medium, 12/31/2019) #notes #longform“Obsidian Roundup for 1/22/22” by Eleanor Konik (Obsidian Roundup) #techAny recommendations for books, articles or posts I should read? Let me know in the comments?
Written on January 21-22, 2022.
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