The United States now experiences a “billion dollar” disaster event every three weeks. It was every four months in the 1980s. / The Wall Street Journal [+]
ICYMI: The veterans and civilians who volunteer to do disaster relief as a form of group therapy. / GQ
“Do we or don't we need to hate America?” Ahead of President Biden and Xi Jinping's summit, China's propaganda machine pulls a 180. / The New York Times [+]
A journalism professor implores the media to adopt a mantra for the upcoming presidential election: “Not the odds, but the stakes.” / Reliable Sources
Republican lawmakers are wearing a new accessory: semi-automatic lapel pins. / The Guardian
Sweden is suffering from a wave of gang violence. Travelers, especially young travelers, are flocking to Japan. / The Economist, Bloomberg
A survey of AI systems being deployed to predict the weather. A survey of the infinite art of the great Holly Herndon. / TechCrunch, The New Yorker
A new book by Robert Sapolsky argues we're not in control of or responsible for our decisions. / Ars Technica
TikTok users deploy glitter to detect—or get revenge after—moments of infidelity. / Nyon
Unrelated: “Super glues are super, but you have to know how to use them.” / Popular Mechanics
The American Ornithological Society decides to change all English language common names of birds that honor people (because racists). / University of Illinois
Lucy Sante pays tribute to the hipness of Glenn O'Brien. Lynell George pays tribute to Mike Davis one year after his death. / The New York Review of Books, truthdig
Watch: The results of 4,000+ Americans tasting the same exact four coffees. / YouTube