The two sides of Joe Biden
The Washington Post · 12 minWhat are Americans to make of the man they have chosen to lead them at a time of severe division, in a moment of shaken confidence in the country’s political system and basic institutions?
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Today’s essential reads
Four Years in the Front Row
ELLE Magazine · 30 minThe country’s best female political reporters go on the record about what it was really like covering Trump’s America.
The mathematical case against blaming people for their misfortune
psyche.co · 6 minUnder conditions of extreme complexity, it’s rarely the case that people meet the bar for blameworthiness.
How a 22-year-old L.A. native became Biden’s inauguration poet
Los Angeles Times · 6 minAmanda Gorman became the youngest poet to write and recite a piece at a presidential inauguration, following in the considerably more experienced footsteps of Maya Angelou and Robert Frost.
America Finally Has a Global Soccer Star
GQ · 18 minChristian Pulisic isn’t just the best male soccer player the country has ever produced—he’s also one of the best in the world. With more homegrown talent following in his footsteps, is he ready to be the leading man that U.S.
Fascinating stories
Why You Should Still Wear A Mask And Avoid Crowds After Getting The COVID-19 Vaccine
NPR · 7 minIt may seem counterintuitive, but health officials say that even after you get vaccinated against COVID-19, you still need to practice the usual pandemic precautions, at least for a while.
How To Bake a Potato in the Oven
The Kitchn · 4 minThrow a few in the oven, and carry on with your routine until they’re ready to eat.
The Rich Are Minting Money in the Pandemic Like Never Before
Bloomberg · 7 minAmericans have become, by some measures, richer during the pandemic than ever before.
The Hard Crowd
The New Yorker · 26 minComing of age on the streets of San Francisco.
‘It’s all fallen apart’: Newsom scrambles to save California — and his career
POLITICO · 8 minThe Democrat leading the nation’s biggest state is facing a raging pandemic, vaccine distribution problems and a nascent recall drive. LOS ANGELES — California is running so low on oxygen that officials are telling emergency crews to conserve supplies.
The rise of the fake commute, and why it's good for your mental health
CNN · 5 minIf the blur between work and home is still a struggle, mimicking your route from the Before Times may be the solution you need.
Here Is President Joe Biden's Inaugural Address
BuzzFeed News · 1 min"We've learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed."
9 Trends That Will Shape Work in 2021 and Beyond
Harvard Business Review · 7 minWhile 2020 was the most volatile year in modern history, it would be a mistake to think that we’re in for smoother sailing this year.
Joe Biden’s Long Road to the Presidency
The New York Times · 7 minWhen Joseph R. Biden Jr. was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday, it was a moment of political triumph that had been decades in the making.
How To Make Soft Pretzels
The Kitchn · 6 minSoft pretzels aren’t that hard, really.
What Lincoln Knew
The Atlantic · 18 minIn his second inaugural address, the 16th president had a message for a war-weary nation.
Stupid Times Call for Stupid Jokes
Vulture · 6 minUnlike a late-night monologue joke about the latest controversy, “I Think You Should Leave” memes are eternally relevant, distilling the issue of the day down to its stupid, petty, venal core.
“All Bets Are Off the Next Few Weeks”
Slate · 10 minA extremism expert watching the Trump fringes now has never been more worried.
I tested the dumbest PPE of all time - the Rich Guy COVID Helmet
SFGate · 7 minThe Microclimate Air is the pandemic accessory you do not need.
Have We Already Been Visited by Aliens?
The New Yorker · 15 minAn eminent astrophysicist argues that signs of intelligent extraterrestrial life have appeared in our skies. What’s the evidence for his extraordinary claim?