Hard Mercy & Little Big Worlds

Featured Articles

The Hardest Case for Mercy

The Marshall Project • 17 Sep 2024 • ~15450 words

This piece examines the case of Nikolas Cruz, the perpetrator of the 2018 Parkland school shooting in Florida. It explores the legal defense team's efforts to spare Cruz's life from the death penalty and how their success in doing so led to changes in Florida's death penalty laws. The article doesn't shy away from the complex emotions and moral dilemmas faced by those involved, making it a compelling exploration of justice, mercy, and the consequences of neglect.

O’Shea’s client was Nikolas Cruz, the 19-year-old who, months earlier on Valentine’s Day 2018, shot dead 17 people and wounded another 17 at his former high school, Marjory Stoneman Douglas . . . Their killer, O’Shea informed Brenda, was the baby boy she had given up in 1998, and he was facing the death penalty. O’Shea was among a handful of lawyers and investigators trying to see his life spared . . . The cigarette fell out of Brenda’s mouth, and she screamed.

Little Big Worlds

Places Journal • 17 Sep 2024 • ~8600 words

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to experience Turkey's vast history and culture all in one place? In this piece, the author explores Miniatürk, a theme park in Istanbul that shrinks monumental sites into miniature versions, allowing visitors to traverse time and geography without leaving the city. It’s a playful yet thought-provoking look at how this park reflects Turkey's complex identity and aspirations.

Miniatürk is an attempt to miniaturize what is otherwise too gigantic to comprehend, to scale down the political implications of historical, social, national, and citizenship, and, as historian İpek Türeli notes, to craft instead a substitute citizenship narrative via architectural whimsy, and the most pleasant kind of absurdity. Here, you can listen to smooth, lilting muzak, see cats-as-kaiju occupying the full space of the Selimiye Mosque courtyard, and take an angelic perch on the park’s Bosphorus Bridge, from which you can gaze down at the Dome of the Rock or a drained neo-Bosphorus, the ferry now lying on its side in a pocked concrete pan.

Recommended Articles

We, the Archipelago: Life in the Philippines

Atmos • 18 Sep 2024 • ~2650 words

This piece discusses the unique challenges and adaptations of communities living in the Philippine archipelago. Through personal stories and cultural insights, the piece explores how communities navigate the delicate balance between their vibrant marine biodiversity and the encroachment of climate change and industrial development. It's a thought-provoking look at resilience and adaptation in a country made up of thousands of islands.

In Aringay, La Union, a fisherman named Adonis Torio told me that he doesn’t understand the seasons anymore. “There used to be so many fish, you’d get sick of fishing. Now, we don’t know the right time to go fishing. The patterns are different, I don’t know, maybe because of climate change.” To him, it’s like a new ocean.

Inside California’s brutal underground market for puppies: Neglected dogs, deceived owners, big profits

Los Angeles Times • 12 Sep 2024 • ~7700 words • Archive Link

This investigation uncovers the dark side of California's puppy market, where many dogs sold as local are actually imported from questionable breeders in the Midwest. With shocking stories of neglected animals and deceived owners, the article sheds light on a thriving underground trade that leaves consumers in the dark about their pets' origins.

With no clear way to trace their pet’s origin, buyers are often fooled into thinking they’re supporting reputable, local breeders, but are instead fueling a trade in which some puppies are born and raised in horrific conditions. Pet owners have been left heartbroken or facing thousands of dollars in veterinary bills when their new puppies get sick or die. Meanwhile, shelters across the state are overflowing.

The cement company that paid millions to IS: was Lafarge complicit in crimes against humanity?

The Guardian • 17 Sep 2024 • ~6400 words

In a troubling account, The Guardian explores the controversial actions of Lafarge, a major cement company, during the rise of ISIS in Syria. As Lafarge prioritized its bottom line, it made payments to the militant group for protection, raising serious questions about corporate ethics and complicity in human rights abuses. This article sheds light on a complex web of decisions that put profit over morality in a war-torn region.

But on home turf in France, Lafarge faces a criminal case that might yield a reckoning without precedent. Dozens of former Lafarge employees in Syria, along with two non-profits, Sherpa and the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, have accused Lafarge of complicity in crimes against humanity.

The Miraculous Resurrection of Notre-Dame

GQ • 17 Sep 2024 • ~5050 words • Archive Link

After the devastating fire at Notre-Dame, a dedicated team of artisans embarked on a journey to restore the cathedral using centuries-old techniques. This article dives into the intricate process of reviving the iconic structure, highlighting the unique skills and craftsmanship that are often overlooked in modern construction. It's not just about rebuilding; it's about rekindling a profound connection to history and tradition.

The roof frame was a different story. Known in French as the charpente, it was an ingenious assemblage of triangular-shaped trusses, each one consisting of horizontal and vertical beams and diagonal rafters designed to support the heavy roof cover and distribute the weight over the walls beneath it. Built from thousands of pieces of wood and assembled without nails, it was a singular achievement, one of the oldest surviving all-wood structures in the world. And now it, along with Viollet-le-Duc’s Flèche, was gone.

A $5 Billion NASA Mission Looked Doomed. Could Engineers Save It?

New York Times • 17 Sep 2024 • ~1900 words • Archive Link

As NASA prepared to launch the Europa Clipper, an alarming discovery threatened to derail this $5 billion mission. With a crucial component at risk of failure, the team faced a race against time to find solutions that would ensure the spacecraft’s success in studying Jupiter’s intriguing moon. This article takes us behind the scenes of this high-stakes engineering challenge, where every decision could mean the difference between a groundbreaking mission and a missed opportunity.

Without the ability to survive intense radiation, there could be no Europa Clipper. The conditions around the moon are extreme, comparable to the aftermath of a nuclear war. Surviving that environment drove the design of the spacecraft and its complex flight path around Jupiter. Across four years, the spacecraft would swing past Europa 49 times, dipping briefly into the computer-frying radiation and getting as close as 16 miles to the moon’s surface.

Destined for clicks: YouTube is driving an astrology boom in Pakistan

Rest of World • 17 Sep 2024 • ~4300 words • Archive Link

In Pakistan, a booming astrology scene is finding its voice on YouTube, drawing in viewers seeking clarity in uncertain times. This article explores how digital astrologers are navigating cultural and religious tensions while reframing astrology as a part of Islamic tradition. The article also examines how the astrologers have leveraged social media to promote their services, which range from personal readings to the sale of astrological products, while some have been accused of exploiting people's vulnerabilities.

Zanjani has learned that an essential part of the role of an astrologer is to offer clients a kind of therapy. A birth chart can tell you if someone simply needs reassurance and positive reinforcement, rather than concrete guidelines, he said. The stories that people share, he added, are a kind of amanat — a treasure given to him for safekeeping: “People tell us things that they wouldn’t even share with their spouses.”

Is Culture Dying?

The New Yorker • 17 Sep 2024 • ~2050 words • Archive Link

This article explores political scientist Olivier Roy’s idea of "deculturation," suggesting that our shared cultural frameworks are eroding under the weight of globalization and individualism. He raises compelling questions about how cultural expressions have shifted from collective experiences to personal statements, prompting us to reflect on what it means to belong in an increasingly fragmented world.

Roy believes that a range of abstract and apparently unstoppable forces—globalization, neoliberalism, postmodernism, individualism, secularism, the Internet, and so on—are undermining culture by rendering it “transparent,” turning our cultural practices into “a collection of tokens” to be traded and displayed. Culture used to be something we did for its own sake; now we do it to position ourselves vis-à-vis other people. For Roy, this means that it’s dying.

Gimmicks of Future Past

The Baffler • 17 Sep 2024 • ~2700 words

This piece discusses the current state of the art world, examining two dominant trends: "neo-modernism" and "neo-premodernism". It critiques how these trends often result in superficial, market-driven art that either blindly embraces technological innovation or nostalgically imitates the past, rather than engaging meaningfully with the present. The article questions whether art can move beyond these gimmicks and find a way to be truly contemporary and relevant.

Thus we get social media accounts that post sculptures by Bernini with the caption, “What’s your excuse?” as though equaling one of the greatest virtuosos of all time were merely a matter of seeing The Rape of Proserpina online, ordering a block of marble, and getting down to business.

Problem-solving matter

Aeon • 17 Sep 2024 • ~5550 words

What if life isn't just a product of chemistry, but something more akin to computation? This piece from Aeon explores hypotheses that challenge our traditional understanding of life’s origins. As researchers delve into concepts like the Tron and Golem hypotheses, they invite us to reconsider what life truly means and how it might arise under different conditions.

. . . biological problem-solving – an outcome of natural selection and genetic drift – is conventionally called ‘adaptation’. Though it is crucial to the evolution of life, new research suggests it may also be crucial to the origins of life . . . This problem-solving perspective is radically altering our knowledge of the Universe. Life is starting to look a lot less like an outcome of chemistry and physics, and more like a computational process.

Lessons From Singapore: Nationality, Identity, Equality and Equity

3 Quarks Daily • 17 Sep 2024 • ~1800 words

This piece explores the history of Singapore's independence and the unique approach it took to foster national identity amidst its diverse population. He delves into how the founding leaders, particularly Lee Kuan Yew, navigated the challenges of ethnic equality and equity, ultimately shaping a nation that strives for both rights and responsibilities among its citizens.

Unlike most countries, Singapore’s independence was not greeted with celebration. It was not the result of a long-time struggle – at least not directly. At the time, Singaporeans – including Lee himself – saw independence as a failure and a moment of existential crisis.

Where Capitalism Is Working

Foreign Affairs • 17 Sep 2024 • ~3000 words • Archive Link

In a world where many are questioning capitalism's viability, this article from Foreign Affairs explores the contrasting success stories of Switzerland, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Each of these places demonstrates how embracing economic freedom—while maintaining a supportive role for government—can yield impressive results, even amidst global uncertainty. The article raises questions about the future of capitalism and whether the models exemplified by these smaller nations can be replicated on a larger scale.

. . . there are a few places across the income curve, including Switzerland, Taiwan, and Vietnam, where capitalism still works—and their examples are worth emulating. Their governments value economic freedom, limiting their own role in managing the economy and regulating businesses.

The University of North Texas' body parts business: Cutting up and leasing

NBC News • 16 Sep 2024 • ~6350 words • Archive Link

This troubling investigation reveals how unclaimed bodies of the poor in Texas are being collected and used for medical research without consent or even proper notification to their families. The story follows the case of Victor Honey, whose remains were cut up and distributed for training, highlighting a practice that raises ethical questions about dignity and respect for the deceased.

In the name of scientific advancement, clinical education and fiscal expediency, the bodies of the destitute in the Dallas-Fort Worth region have been routinely collected from hospital beds, nursing homes and homeless encampments and used for training or research without their consent.

Armed and Underground: Inside the Turbulent, Secret World of an American Militia

ProPublica • 17 Aug 2024 • ~6500 words

A shadowy militia known as the American Patriots Three Percent (AP3) has been quietly expanding its reach and influence. This in-depth investigation takes readers on a chilling journey into the inner workings of this formidable paramilitary group as it navigates the turbulent political landscape in the aftermath of the January 6th Capitol attack. We get a rare glimpse into the militia's ambitious plans, internal power struggles, and the looming threat of escalating violence. Even if not interested in U.S. politics, you can appreciate this piece as an excellent example of investigative journalism.

The materials also shed light on what former national security officials say is the most urgent question regarding militias: Will Jan. 6 prove the high water mark of the movement’s violence or merely a prelude to something more catastrophic?

Mostly, this Secret Masonic Order Just Wants to Have Fun

Messy Nessy Chic • 6 Sep 2024 • ~1750 words

The article provides an overview of the Shriners, a secret Masonic order known for their colorful parades and miniature cars. It delves into the origins and traditions of the Shriners, as well as their philanthropic efforts through the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

. . . why not create a Masonic organisation that combined the tenets of Freemasonry with the flair and social merriment of a Middle Eastern bazaar? And so, the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine was born. The Shriners were established as a fraternity focused on fellowship, fun, and philanthropy — with a particular emphasis on that middle “fun” part.

The inside story about the F-35 Marine jet that went missing in SC, leaving mysteries behind

Post and Courier • 15 Aug 2024 • ~4300 words • Archive Link

The F-35B is an incredible feat of engineering, but this complex piece of equipment is also plagued by many issues. When an F-35B pilot ejected during a storm near Charleston, the jet continued flying without him, raising questions about what really happened. This article dives into the mysterious circumstances surrounding the incident, exploring the complexities of flying one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world and the issues it can have, especially in severe weather.

Critics have long railed about the aircraft’s mounting costs, which may pass the $2 trillion mark for the whole program, according to one recent federal report. Maintenance, inadequate training and the lack of spare parts have been chronic problems. As a result, the F-35B fleet was capable of doing full missions just 15 percent of the time in 2023.