Ignored DNRs & Pasolini's Murder

Featured Articles

Doctors Saved Her Life. She Didn’t Want Them To.

New York Times • 26 Aug 2024 • ~2700 words • Archive Link

This piece explores the complexities and often painful realities surrounding "do not resuscitate" (D.N.R.) orders through the stories of patients who found their wishes ignored. It highlights cases where DNR orders were violated, leading to painful and undesirable outcomes for patients, and examines the legal and ethical issues surrounding these situations. The article also highlights the need for clearer communication and understanding of DNR orders among healthcare providers.

A 2017 survey of 553 residents in the United States found that a substantial portion would have made incorrect decisions to withhold necessary medical care for a D.N.R. patient: In one scenario, 41 percent said they would not transfer the patient to the intensive care unit and 62 percent would not have administered dialysis. Some doctors believe diagnostic tests should not be ordered for D.N.R. patients, even though these procedures are permitted under the order.

Who really murdered Pier Paolo Pasolini?

Financial Times • 24 Aug 2024 • ~6350 words • Archive Link

The murder of filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini remains one of Italy's most perplexing cold cases, with layers of political intrigue. In this piece, the author delves into the ongoing quest for truth, exploring how a lawyer's passion for justice intertwines with Pasolini's complex legacy. But most importantly, the article also examines the cultural, political, and historical context that may have influenced the handling of the case and the public's perception of Pasolini's murder.

Maccioni stood and paced up and down his office, turning the rulings over. Why had the murder of a genius received so little scrutiny? Why had Pelosi’s flawed confession become the foundation of the final verdict? What happened between rulings to alter the outcome of the trial?

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The poisonous global politics of water

The Economist • 26 Aug 2024 • ~2650 words • Archive Link

Water's complexities are becoming increasingly urgent as droughts and floods reshape lives worldwide. This article explores the tangled politics behind water rights, the struggle for equitable distribution, and the need for innovative solutions in countries like Chile and Australia. It’s an enlightening read highlighting how essential water management is to human survival and political stability.

The world’s water troubles can be summed up in six words: “too little, too much, too dirty”, says Charlie Iceland of the World Resources Institute (WRI), a think-tank. Climate change will only aggravate the troubles. Already, roughly half of humanity lives under what the WRI calls “highly water-stressed conditions” for at least one month a year.

Eric Goode’s Monkey Business

Vulture • 26 Aug 2024 • ~5850 words

The article provides an in-depth profile of Eric Goode, the creator of "Tiger King", also behind the upcoming HBO documentary "Chimp Crazy." It explores Goode's unconventional path to becoming a successful documentary filmmaker, his unique approach to finding and capturing eccentric animal-related stories, and the unexpected twists and turns that have defined his recent projects. The article also delves into the moral and ethical questions surrounding the private ownership of exotic animals that Goode's work has sought to highlight.

So what does it take to become the most exciting documentarian of the moment, someone whose work is commercial but also charged with the avant-gonzo ethos of cinematic trash collectors like John Waters and Harmony Korine? It turns out you need money, vision, a disdain for the corporate streaming-TV content mill, and a willingness to break a few journalistic rules.

Real Estate Shopping for the Apocalypse

The New Yorker • 26 Aug 2024 • ~5000 words • Archive Link

In a world increasingly filled with uncertainties, some are taking their preparations to the next level. This story explores the real estate market for these types of properties, the motivations behind the purchases, and the various features and amenities offered by different bunker options, sometimes in a tongue-in-cheek style.

. . . he ushered me into what looked like a large drainage pipe with ten feet of headroom, painted in a cheery shade of teal. This was the bunker’s entry hall. I made a mental note that, if I were to move in, I’d relocate the cartons of apple juice, canning jars, and other jumbled supplies piled there to the food pantry in the basement.

Measuring the Black Death

asimov.press • 25 Aug 2024 • ~2900 words

In this essay, Saloni Dattani explores the challenges historians face when trying to quantify the death toll of the Black Death. With estimates ranging widely and the limitations of historical record-keeping, Dattani sheds light on the complexities of understanding not only this devastating pandemic that reshaped Europe in the 14th century, but also more modern pandemics.

Our estimates of the Black Death’s toll come from decades of research using a wide range of other historical sources, such as tax and rent registries, parish records, guild records, and court documents. Despite this, large uncertainties remain in the estimates. The case of the Black Death underscores the vital importance of statistical record-keeping, practices that we take for granted today.

What You Don’t Know About Sell-side Price Targets

Speedwell Research • 23 Aug 2024 • ~3300 words

Have you ever wondered what really drives sell-side price targets in stock markets? This piece dives into the complex interplay of incentives, career pressures, and market behavior that shape analysts' predictions. It uncovers the nuances behind these targets, revealing why they often reflect more about the analysts' strategies than the actual value of the stocks.

A sell-side analyst is trying to judge a business on its future prospects, which in the case of early-stage internet companies could be decades out, yet are stuck expressing that view in a 12-month price target. This isn’t just a hard task, it’s nonsensical.

A newly approved ‘living drug’ could save more cancer patients’ lives

Science News • 22 Aug 2024 • ~3550 words

A new "living drug" is making waves in cancer treatment, offering hope for patients like Toni English, who faced a relentless battle with melanoma. This innovative therapy, which utilizes a patient's own tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, has shown remarkable results, with some patients remaining cancer-free for years. Discover the science behind this promising approach and what it could mean for the future of cancer care.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy, or TIL therapy, takes cancer-targeting T cells from a patient’s own tumor, grows them to the billions in the lab and then infuses them back into the body. This massive influx zeroes in on and attacks cancer cells and, in some cases, appears to wipe out every last one.

Inside the Virginia Newsroom Trying to Save Afghanistan From Tyranny

The Atlantic • 18 Aug 2024 • ~2450 words

In a quiet Virginia suburb, a group of exiled Afghan journalists is working tirelessly to hold the Taliban accountable from thousands of miles away. This article explores the challenges Amu TV and its reporters face, who risk their lives to uncover the truth about life under Taliban rule, all while navigating the complexities of reporting from abroad. Their story sheds light on the resilience of journalism, even in the face of extreme oppression.

“I am not afraid to die for this work,” she told me over the phone from her hiding place. “But if the Taliban are going to make an example out of me, I need to be sure the stories count.”