Lahaina Fire & Xerox of a Xerox of a Person
What the Maui fires can teach us. Also, BoJack Horseman's cycle of addiction
Featured Articles
When Maui Burned
The Atlantic • 5 Aug 2024 • ~3800 words
In the wake of the devastating Lahaina fire, Carrie Ching reflects on her return to Hawaii and the deep-rooted history that shapes its culture. The fire destroyed the historic town of Lahaina, but she sees it as part of a much longer history of colonization, land grabs, and environmental degradation that have transformed Hawaii over centuries.
The rest of the islands' communities are watching and waiting. The same kinds of land and water conflicts happening on Maui are playing out all across the state'and around the world. Lahaina's tragedy allowed those conflicts to be seen more clearly. But it's not the first, and it certainly won't be the last; there will be other tragedies in other places. With climate change, there will be more and more every year.
Addiction’s Bestiary: “BoJack Horseman” @10
Public Books • 6 Aug 2024 • ~2600 words
As "BoJack Horseman" celebrates its tenth anniversary, Nick Allred reflects on how the show intertwines themes of addiction and identity through its unique use of anthropomorphic characters. This piece explores how the series humorously critiques how we categorize ourselves and others, asking questions about the nature of self and change. If you're a fan of the show or just curious about its deeper meanings, this is a great read.
That generic quality of BoJack’s name comes not only from its hint at his species identity but also from the fact that everyone in the show’s universe seems to know it. Celebrities are an odd mix of uniqueness and typicality: they’re celebrated as exceptional individuals, but a key part of their cultural function is to embody types, both onscreen and off.
Recommended Articles
Why Are Silicon Valley Therapists Becoming Tech Coaches?
New York Times • 6 Aug 2024 • ~4500 words
In Silicon Valley, therapists are redefining their roles by stepping into the realm of coaching and helping executives navigate their personal and professional growth. This article explores how this shift creates a unique blend of therapy and coaching. Some see this as a positive, while others worry about the lack of regulation and the conflict of a coach's loyalty being divided between the client and their employer.
The high-end hourly rate for a therapist, after all, even in a pricey city like San Francisco, is about $350. A successful coach can charge four times that much, partly because coaching fees typically come out of a company budget . . . No wonder it’s impossible to find a therapist around here, I thought.
As Foreign Interference Takes Hold, Ottawa Looks Away
The Walrus • 5 Aug 2024 • ~3000 words
This piece from The Walrus examines the testimonies of activists from various Canadian communities who share their harrowing experiences of transnational repression. It reveals the complex web of intimidation tactics used by foreign states while raising crucial questions about the safety of vulnerable individuals and the adequacy of Canada’s efforts to combat these threats.
What is striking about the testimonies of the six witnesses, who are members of different diaspora groups, is the similar patterns of TNR, proving, perhaps, that foreign governments are learning from one another and exploiting our vulnerabilities on our own soil.
The One-Hour Nurse Visits That Let Insurers Collect $15 Billion
WSJ • 6 Aug 2024 • ~2100 words
In this investigation, Mark Maremont explores how Medicare Advantage insurers have turned home visits by nurses into a lucrative revenue stream. This article uncovers the questionable practices behind these visits, where new diagnoses are often added to boost payments from the federal government, raising doubts (as if we needed more) about the integrity of patient care and insurers’ motivations in the US.
The nurses aren’t there to treat anyone. They are gathering new diagnoses that entitle private Medicare Advantage insurers to collect extra money from the federal government.
The Minnesota Model
In These Times • 6 Aug 2024 • ~4550 words
In Minneapolis, a powerful movement known as the "Minnesota Model" reshapes labor dynamics. This piece explores how workers in various sectors unite for fair pay and dignity, fostering a spirit of solidarity that extends beyond individual struggles. It’s a compelling look at how community support can drive change and inspire broader activism.
When many people think of progressive politics, they think elections. But electoral work is a tiny part of the equation for most of the organizations I spoke with. They’re more concerned with building their bases and networking those bases to strengthen communities — often, the ones most taken for granted by public officials.
