Organ Trade & John Hennessey

Featured Articles

‘For me, there was no other choice’: inside the global illegal organ trade

The Guardian • 10 Sep 2024 • ~4300 words

In this eye-opening piece, The Guardian delves into the harrowing world of the illegal organ trade, focusing on individuals like Yonas, who are driven by desperation and debt to sell their organs. Through personal stories and stark statistics, the article sheds light on how vulnerable populations are exploited in this underground market, revealing a complex web of human trafficking and financial desperation. It’s a difficult but important read that challenges us to confront the human cost behind the headlines.

Over the past 10 years, I have spoken to 43 people from Sudan, South Sudan and Eritrea who sold a kidney out of economic necessity. In most cases, people were targeted by criminal groups because of their precarious status as asylum seekers, refugees or undocumented migrants. Most were not paid what they were promised. Some were paid nothing. Doubly criminalised, as illegal migrants and organ sellers, they were in no position to negotiate a price, or to ensure they got paid the agreed amount. Because of their precarious legal status they were also less likely to report abuse to the authorities.

One Texan’s Raw, Unapologetic Quest to Build the World’s Fastest Car

Texas Monthly • 9 Sep 2024 • ~5600 words • Archive Link

John Hennessey’s journey from a Houston contractor to the creator of some of the world’s fastest cars is a blend of passion and audacity. This piece takes you inside Hennessey’s unapologetic quest to push automotive boundaries, revealing the challenges and triumphs of building hypercars that not only break records but also redefine the driving experience.

He’ll likely never have the resources of some of his biggest rivals, including Bugatti, which is based in France and part-owned by Volkswagen, one of the world’s largest carmakers. So why bother? Because he can. And it’ll make a great story in any case.

Recommended Articles

The War Crimes That the Military Buried

The New Yorker • 10 Sep 2024 • ~2050 words • Archive Link

This may not be great read on its own, but it’s still eye opening, and you can continue on to the podcast it is accompanying. It dives into a troubling aspect of military justice, revealing a vast database of potential war crimes committed by U.S. service members in Iraq and Afghanistan. Through careful investigation, the authors uncover the systemic failures that often leave these incidents unpunished, raising important questions about accountability and transparency in the military.

We identified five hundred and seventy-two alleged perpetrators associated with these hundred and fifty-one criminal cases. Only a hundred and thirty of them were convicted. The records show that they rarely received lengthy prison terms. Much more often, their cases were dealt with by commanders, who have broad discretion to punish their troops with extra duty, demotions, or reprimands, circumventing formal prosecution altogether.

Greed, Gluttony and the Crackup of Red Lobster

New York Times • 9 Sep 2024 • ~3950 words • Archive Link

This piece delves into the rise and fall of Red Lobster, exploring how a mix of corporate decisions, changing consumer habits, and the pandemic contributed to its decline. With insights from former employees and a closer look at the infamous "Endless Shrimp" promotion, this in-depth piece sheds light on the collapse of a once-beloved chain.

Among employees, news that Endless Shrimp would, in fact, never end was greeted with dread. As an occasional special over the years, it was always a frantic ordeal. Cooks and servers could barely keep up. Bargain hunters griped about the pace of refills. Cops were summoned to handle diners enraged that they couldn’t get takeaway bags.

On social media, a bullied teen found fame among child predators worldwide

Washington Post • 9 Sep 2024 • ~3500 words • Archive Link

In this chilling exploration of online predation, we delve into the life of Bradley Cadenhead, a bullied teen from Texas who turned his pain into a sinister online persona. Using platforms like Discord, he exploited vulnerable children globally, leading to his eventual arrest and an 80-year prison sentence.

It was from his bedroom in a cramped apartment that the once God-fearing boy from Stephenville underwent an extraordinary transformation — from a lonely, isolated teenager into what authorities describe as a notorious predator of the social media age

These Household Brands Want to Redefine What Counts as “Recyclable”

ProPublica • 9 Sep 2024 • ~1900 words

Do the labels on your household products tell the whole truth about their recyclability? This piece dives into the ongoing debate as major brands push for a looser definition of “recyclable,” potentially misleading consumers and complicating the already shaky recycling system. It also examines the impact this could have on consumer trust and the recycling system.

Most of the products in the typical kitchen use plastics that are virtually impossible to recycle . . . Now a trade group representing those brands and hundreds more is pressuring regulators to make plastic appear more environmentally friendly, a proposal experts say could worsen a crisis that is flooding the planet and our bodies with the toxic material.

Why We Can’t Quit Brad Pitt

Slate Magazine • 8 Sep 2024 • ~4050 words • Archive Link

This piece explores how Brad Pitt has managed to maintain a likable image despite serious allegations and a complicated personal history, prompting us to reflect on our own roles as fans in shaping celebrity narratives. It's an intriguing look at fame, accountability, and the stories we choose to believe.

That’s the thing about Brad Pitt: He’s Brad Pitt. Unlike many of his contemporaries who have struggled to regain a foothold in Hollywood after getting into trouble, Pitt has managed to thoroughly launder his reputation with limited blowback.

The Wrong Kind of City?

asteriskmag.com • 9 Sep 2024 • ~4100 words

What does a city's structure reveal about its country's economic future? This piece explores the distinction between producer and consumer cities and questions whether the prevalence of consumer cities in developing countries will hinder their potential for sustained economic growth compared to the historical experience of industrialized nations. It also examines the implications of these different city types and the factors that may unlock growth in developing world cities.

And of course developing world cities in the modern day are, ipso facto, different from those that developed in the past. Weber’s producer cities employed a large fraction of labor in specific industries precisely because the technology was so bad that it took an entire city working together to produce enough steel or cars or textiles to meet demand. With today’s technologies there is just no need to organize a city around an industry in the same way.

Inside the Mysterious Rise of Shein

The Atlantic • 6 Sep 2024 • ~4950 words

Shein has taken the American retail scene by storm, but its rise is shrouded in mystery and controversy. This piece from The Atlantic delves into the company's obscure origins, its shadowy CEO, and the often troubling labor practices that underpin its success. It provides a look at how a fast-fashion giant operates behind the scenes and what it means for consumers.

. . . much about Shein is still unknown. How did it so quickly take over American retail? Who runs it, and how does it offer so many products so cheaply? Over the past year, I sought answers to these questions, and what I learned was hardly reassuring.

Something’s Poisoning America’s Land. Farmers Fear ‘Forever’ Chemicals.

New York Times • 31 Aug 2024 • ~2200 words • Archive Link

This article explores the troubling rise of “forever chemicals” in American agriculture, revealing how decades of using municipal sewage as fertilizer have led to widespread contamination. As farmers and ranchers grapple with the potential health risks to livestock and crops, this piece raises critical questions about regulatory failures and the future of our food supply.

In Michigan, among the first states to investigate the chemicals in sludge fertilizer, officials shut down one farm where tests found particularly high concentrations in the soil and in cattle that grazed on the land. This year, the state prohibited the property from ever again being used for agriculture. Michigan hasn’t conducted widespread testing at other farms, partly out of concern for the economic effects on its agriculture industry.

How a Probation Violation Turns Into Indefinite Jail Time

The Nation • 27 Aug 2024 • ~3750 words • Archive Link

This article dives into the troubling reality of probation detainers and how they can lead to indefinite jail time for individuals who have not been convicted of new crimes. Through the stories of affected individuals, it sheds light on the complexities and injustices of a system that often punishes minor violations, raising questions about fairness and the broader implications for marginalized communities.

Although people jailed on probation detainers are pretrial defendants who have not been found guilty on any new charges, they have fewer rights than other defendants, who at least in theory can be jailed only if they pose a flight or public safety risk.

Tennis makes big bets on its future

The Verge • 2 Sep 2024 • ~6300 words

This piece explores how technology, particularly AI-powered line-calling systems like Hawk-Eye, is transforming the sport of tennis. It examines the potential benefits and drawbacks of these innovations, as well as the growing role of sports betting and data monetization in the future of the sport. If you're curious about how tennis is adapting in a rapidly changing sports landscape, this article is worth a read.

During the match I observed from the Nest, Hawk-Eye would collect countless data points, much of which was being transmitted live not just to the chair umpire officiating the match but to business partners of the ATP as well — the most lucrative of which are, recently, sports betting companies. Everything that was happening on-court would be sent through an algorithm that would process that information to create more accurate betting odds that could be distributed to the world’s gamblers.

Don’t Take Advice From a Habsburg

The Dial • 5 Sep 2024 • ~2450 words

Thus article is a review of Eduard Habsburg's book "The Habsburg Way: Seven Rules for Turbulent Times", in which he proposes that people should emulate the lifestyle and values of the Habsburg dynasty to find meaning and purpose in modern times. Unsurprisingly, it portrays Eduard's "Habsburg Way" as more gimmick than substance, a nostalgic fantasy divorced from the complexities of the modern world.

He presents “the Habsburg Way” as a positive program and leaves the alternatives ill-defined. Yet traces of the right-populist conspiratorial imaginary seep through.

Reckoning and Refoundation: How the Tokyo Trials Created Modern Asia

Literary Hub • 6 Sep 2024 • ~2400 words

In the aftermath of World War II, the Tokyo Trials stood as a significant moment in history, not just for Japan but for all of Asia. This book excerpt explores how the trials attempted to reckon with the atrocities of war while laying the groundwork for modern international justice.

As law, the Tokyo trial had grand ambitions to establish international principles for a safer postwar world—a revived international law that outlawed aggression and atrocity. It sought to reestablish the battered authority of the old international laws of armed combat, such as the illegality of killing innocent civilians or abusing prisoners of war.

I … Am Herman Melville! | Los Angeles Review of Books

Los Angeles Review of Books • 5 Sep 2024 • ~3750 words

Ray Bradbury's journey to adapt Herman Melville's "Moby Dick" into a screenplay is as fascinating as it is tumultuous. In this piece, the author shares intimate insights from their years spent with Bradbury, revealing the challenges and personal struggles he faced while working with the legendary director John Huston. It's a captivating look at the intersections of creativity, ambition, and the weight of literary legacy.

Bradbury worked best when he wrote quickly, in an onslaught of creativity. “Your subconscious is smarter than you are,” he once told me, “so get out of its way.” He wrote nonstop for eight hours. He produced the final 37 pages of the script in that one sitting. And he knew that, of the 1,500 pages of drafts and outlines he had written in the seven months he had been working with Huston, these were his best.

‘Unschooling’ parents put their kids in charge of their own educations. Are they actually learning?

The Guardian • 9 Sep 2024 • ~3700 words

In this thought-provoking piece, The Guardian explores the controversial world of unschooling, where parents let their children steer their own educational journeys. Through the experiences of various families, the article highlights both the freedom and the pitfalls of this approach, raising important questions about learning, autonomy, and the balance between guidance and neglect.

There is a sense that all forms of home schooling or self-directed education are de facto neglectful and abusive. Deeper still, there looms a form of vigilant paranoia, which rejects the idea that anyone could even conceivably emerge from such a setting physically and psychologically unscathed. When I tell one survivor that I’ve spoken with some grown, well-adjusted-seeming unschoolers, they insist that those people’s trauma has merely not yet manifested.

Libraries of matter

worksinprogress.co • 29 Aug 2024 • ~3300 words

Have you ever thought about the importance of the materials around us? This article takes you inside the intriguing world of materials libraries, where designers and students can explore and interact with innovative substances that inspire creativity. From sustainable textiles to experimental composites, discover how these libraries are bridging the gap between the digital age and tactile learning.

He would create a place where people could browse, handle, and borrow stimulating materials, a place where playing with material could spark new ideas and make unexpected connections. It would offer an organized and curated collection, independent from suppliers. It wouldn’t sell or broker anything, merely make commercial materials available.

How the War on Terror Warped the American Left

The Atlantic • 10 Sep 2024 • ~2900 words • Archive Link

The article discusses how the War on Terror has impacted and warped the American left, as explored in the book "Homeland" by Richard Beck. It examines how the events of 9/11 and the subsequent policies and actions of the U.S. government led to a shift in the left's worldview, with some on the left becoming more cynical and distrustful of the American system.

The War on Terror reinforced a paranoid style on the left that has stunted progressive politics, a Chomskyite turn that sees even the democratic socialism of Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as too incremental.

How a Crackdown on Medicaid Fraud Deprived Native American Patients of Care

ProPublica • 10 Sep 2024 • ~3600 words

In Arizona, a crackdown on Medicaid has left many vulnerable patients without essential mental health services. This investigation by ProPublica uncovers the challenges faced by clinics accused of fraud and the alarming consequences for patients, particularly within Indigenous communities. The personal stories highlight a system struggling to balance accountability with the urgent need for care.

Since the agency implemented the reforms, spending on American Indian Health Program services has declined by two-thirds, according to data released by AHCCCS in July.

There are no more Chads in England

Wrong Side of History • 10 Sep 2024 • ~1650 words

This piece explores the dramatic shift in naming conventions in England following the Norman Conquest, revealing how Anglo-Saxon names faded and were replaced by those of the new ruling class. It’s an interesting look at how the linguistic and cultural impact of the Norman Conquest fundamentally reshaped English identity.

The likes of Ethelred, Athelstan and Leofwine were replaced by Carolingian names popular with the northern French aristocracy, including Geoffrey, Matilda and Roger, which over the 12th century were joined by the increasing popularity of biblical or Greek names like John, James, Catherine, Margaret and Thomas.

A Prehistory of Scientific Racism

The MIT Press Reader • 10 Sep 2024 • ~2900 words

This book review explores the historical origins of scientific racism, tracing its roots back to the 18th century and the development of racial classification systems. It examines how these early scientific ideas about race were used to justify colonialism, slavery, and other forms of oppression, and questions the lasting impact of this problematic legacy on modern society.

New rationalizations were needed to motivate nation building and rapid expansion of world trade, and justify the colonial expansion, exploitation, expulsion, and extermination of Indigenous populations necessary for the profitability of these projects. European encounters with people unfamiliar to them led to questions about whether everyone could be considered part of the same “family of man” and soon thereafter, for example, the moral affordances of enslaving some people.

The Great Global Divergence of Values

The Garden of Forking Paths • 10 Sep 2024 • ~2750 words

In a world that often assumes economic growth leads to a convergence of values, new studies challenge this belief. This piece examines how factors like technology, globalization, and shifting demographics are contributing to the emergence of distinct value systems that are increasingly at odds with one another. It raises important questions about the implications of this divergence for global cooperation, social cohesion, and the future of humanity as a whole.

. . . it’s possible to at least partially test these simplistic frameworks for how social change happens: is the rest of the world becoming more like “the West?” . . . The answer, it turns out, is no—but perhaps not for the reasons we might guess.

Finding Philanthropy’s Forgotten Founder

The Atlantic • 9 Sep 2024 • ~2400 words

The article provides an in-depth exploration of the life and philanthropic work of Julius Rosenwald, a pioneering 20th century businessman and social justice philanthropist. It examines Rosenwald's unique approach to philanthropy, which focused on addressing the root causes of inequality, and how his legacy has been largely forgotten compared to other famous philanthropists of the era. The article also reflects on the broader role and responsibilities of modern philanthropy in addressing systemic inequalities.

Someone once asked Rosenwald, this modest Jewish clothier from Springfield, why he devoted such a significant portion of his benefaction to Black Americans. He replied simply, “I do not see how America can go ahead if part of its people are left behind.”