Next Draft - Welcome to the Con
There was probably a time when one could have argued that obsessing over shows like the Real Housewives distracted Americans from infinitely more serious issues. But these days, I'm really not sure that what you see on Bravo is any more ridiculous than what you see on C-Span. For several days in Vegas, no one mentioned Jewish Space Lasers, lied about an election, or threatened to shut down the government. Maybe they are our true representatives after all. They even have the honest decency to describe their annual interactions with the public as, The Con. "More than a hundred and sixty reality stars descended on Las Vegas, for BravoCon, where they were pulled apart by their harshest critics, who also happen to be their most diehard fans." The New Yorker: Bravo in the Flesh. "A romantic does not spend thousands of dollars on tickets, hotels, airfare, food, and drink because she seeks to be hustled as she urinates. A romantic accepts the flood of advertisement theatre at BravoCon because the event promises her real fourth-wall breaking. Executives at NBCUniversal, Bravo’s parent company, and fans on the ground parrot one another: You come to the Con for a mental escape. BravoCon is the natural evolution of an inorganic corporate entity. The virtual consumption of human story while watching reality television becomes temporarily, and weirdly, physical." 2You Can't Beat The MeatThe answer to the age-old question, Where's the beef? is, Everywhere. In a world where demand for a product so associated with climate change continues to grow, maybe it's worth trying to tweak the industry rather than trying to replace it. Before you have a cow, here's how ranchers and researchers are trying to make burgers less burdensome. Raising Better Beef. "They believe there are solutions that address climate change and fill demand, for a world in which people can buy, cook and eat beef with a clear conscience. They point to efforts to change how cattle are raised to retain more carbon in the ground, to develop feed supplements that reduce gas releases, and to make genetic breakthroughs so animals digest their food without brewing up harmful gases." (I'm a lifelong vegetarian, so for me, the steaks are less high.) 3Bibi-ing There"Before the war, the standard critique of Netanyahu was that he had gutted his government, removed his possible rivals, and replaced them with nobodies and ideologues." That weakness helped dragged Israel into a nightmare. It also might make it more difficult to unseat Bibi. Why the Most Hated Man in Israel Might Stay in Power. (Many of these stories about BiBi have connections with the moves currently being made by Trump.) 4Weekend WhatsWhat to Doc: Buried: The 1982 Avalanche is a really well done documentary about the power of nature and its impacts on human nature and emotions. Excellent work. 5Extra, ExtraPutin Place: "The raging war in the Middle East has put the prolonged war in Eastern Europe largely on the back burner, in terms of media coverage, with Vladimir Putin’s campaign of brutality against Ukraine receiving much less attention from the press than it did prior to the Israel-Hamas conflict breaking out." Putin’s brutal war on Ukraine vanishes from news coverage amid raging conflict in Gaza. 6Feel Good FridayIf you missed it earlier in the week, check out this excellent story about a group of Palestinian and Israeli teammates that are trying to stick together during the toughest of times. Bridge Over Troubled Water. Get a copy of my 📕, Please Scream Inside Your Heart, or grab a 👕 in the Store. |
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Bridge Over Troubled Water
Friday, November 17, 2023
Water in the Desert, What Happened to Your Catalytic Converter?
The Scene of the Crime
Friday, November 17, 2023
This Should Trigger You.
Over the Hill
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Congressional Fight Club, Canada's Fun Czar
Aged Cheddar
Monday, November 13, 2023
Cheese Stakes, Scotus Self Regulation, Hiding Under Hospitals
From Ragless to Riches
Friday, November 10, 2023
Monetizing You, Weekend Whats, Feel Good Friday
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