The Searchers & 8 Passengers

Featured Articles

The Searchers

Washington Post • 17 Sep 2024 • ~7800 words • Archive Link

When, if ever, will we find life outside of the earth? The article is about Dave Eggers' visit to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where he explores the work being done to discover evidence of life on other planets. It provides an inside look at the cutting-edge research and technology being developed at JPL, including the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and the Starshade project, and discusses the excitement and humility of the scientists working to unravel the mysteries of the universe. The article also examines the role of government-funded scientific research and the importance of NASA's work in the broader context of American government and society.

And it’s paid for by you. No billionaires will fund work like this, because there’s no money in it. This is government-funded research to determine how the universe was created and whether we are alone in it. If NASA and JPL were not doing it, it would not be done.

The Truths and Distortions of Ruby Franke

The Cut • 24 Sep 2024 • ~6900 words • Archive Link

The article is about the downfall of the popular family YouTube channel "8 Passengers" and its creators, Ruby and Kevin Franke. It explores how Ruby's involvement with a self-help group called ConneXions, led by Jodi Hildebrandt, led to the abuse of her own children and the eventual imprisonment of both Ruby and Hildebrandt. The article raises questions about the influence of extremist beliefs and the dangers of blindly following authority figures.

Late in the summer of 2023, Ruby’s two youngest children, then ages 9 and 12 — the baby girl and the boy in the overalls in the very first 8 Passengers video — were found hundreds of miles from home. They were wounded and emaciated, the victims of abuse by Ruby and Hildebrandt. Both women pleaded guilty to four counts of felony child abuse and are now in prison, leaving viewers to wonder who and what they had been watching and whether there had been signs all along.

Recommended Articles

‘Places to heal, not to harm’: why brutal prison design kills off hope

the Guardian • 24 Sep 2024 • ~3850 words

The article discusses the impact of prison design on the rehabilitation and well-being of inmates. It examines how the harsh, institutional nature of many prisons can undermine efforts at reform and instead perpetuate a sense of hopelessness. The article also explores alternative approaches to prison design that aim to create an environment more conducive to healing and personal growth.

All but the most recently built prisons are marked by filth and neglect – a symbolic as well as literal violation, and a reminder to prisoners that they’ve been rejected by society, that they themselves are viewed as waste. Even worse than the bare walls, thick bars and uncomfortable furniture are the traces of previous generations. Boredom, frustration, pain and despair are evident in the knocks, the scratchings, the gougings, the graffiti, the grime, the burns, the stains, the remnants of body fluids. Prisoners are all too aware of the beatings, bullying and self-harm that have happened in the place they now must call home. In response to my question, “What colour is prison?”, one young woman in an English establishment replied, “Purple, like a bruise.”

The Number

Washington Post • 24 Sep 2024 • ~7800 words • Archive Link

This is the next article in the series Who is Government, which also includes our featured article today, The Searchers. In this piece, John Lanchester dives into the complexities of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). He explores how this seemingly straightforward number shapes our economic reality and political landscape while also highlighting the nuances and controversies that surround it. If you've ever questioned what the CPI really means for your wallet and the broader society, this article is worth a read.

At its simplest, the CPI is a vital number because it is used in multiple economic aspects of government: It is used to set levels of Social Security payments, access to payments in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly food stamps), pensions and tax thresholds. It features in business contracts, in court orders and in divorce settlements. Many millions of workers have salary agreements that alter in direct relationship to the CPI. As the Bureau of Labor Statistics says “Of all the economic statistics produced by the U.S. federal government, none has a direct impact on the lives of everyday Americans quite like the Consumer Price Index.”

What’s Next After Farm-to-Table?

Eater • 23 Sep 2024 • ~2550 words • Archive Link

With climate change reshaping our food systems, some chefs are rethinking the farm-to-table model. This article explores how restaurants like Oyster Oyster are sourcing ingredients with a keen awareness of their environmental impact, forging deeper connections with local farms, and adapting menus to reflect seasonal realities. This piece looks at how culinary practices can contribute to a more sustainable future.

Oyster Oyster’s approach to regional sourcing comes from Rubba’s stark realization that many staples sold in grocery stores and used in most restaurants have wreaked havoc on the ecosystems and livelihoods of people in other countries. Many of the staple “commodities” imported from overseas come from regions once covered by rainforests and other critical ecosystems that stabilize the climate.

These Pro-Lifers Don't Love Abortion Bans

Reason.com • 22 Sep 2024 • ~3100 words

In a thought-provoking piece, Reason explores the nuanced views of individuals who identify as pro-life yet question the effectiveness of abortion bans. By delving into personal stories and shifting opinions, the article reveals a complex landscape where many oppose both abortion and the restrictive policies designed to limit it. It's a compelling look at how a changing societal perspective may be reshaping the pro-life movement in unexpected ways.

For a lot of folks, labels like "pro-choice" and "pro-life" are inadequate. In the Gallup poll where just 54 percent of respondents labeled themselves "pro-choice," a massive 85 percent said abortion should be legal under at least some circumstances.

The Rise and Fall of New York Clubbing

The Nation • 21 Sep 2024 • ~3500 words • Archive Link

This book review of Emily Witt’s Health and Safety: A Breakdown explores the vibrant nightlife scene that emerged in Brooklyn in the 2010s, centered around the Myrtle-Broadway subway stop. It examines how this subculture of clubs, raves, and underground parties provided a sense of community and liberation for young Brooklynites, even as the neighborhood underwent rapid gentrification.

To put into words a world of mostly wordless interactions is the challenge that Witt takes up in Health and Safety. She attempts to capture, through memoir, sociology, and a kind of club ethnography, the many meanings and embodied states of a night out, while also situating them in an evolving subculture.

The Timekeeper of Ukraine

The Atlantic • 21 Sep 2024 • ~2600 words • Archive Link

In the midst of war-torn Kharkiv, a dedicated timekeeper is ensuring that Ukraine remains synchronized with the world. This article explores the crucial role of a small metrology lab, its delicate clocks, and the challenges they face in maintaining precise time amid constant threats. It’s an interesting look at how something as fundamental as timekeeping can reflect a nation's resilience.

The world's central timescale, called Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), is based on the weighted average of more than 400 clocks in about 70 labs across the world. A seven-person department within the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, in the Paris suburb of Sèvres, calculates this average . . . the best timekeeping labs tend to steer their time to keep within a couple nanoseconds of UTC; others stay within hundreds or thousands. Soldatov has generally kept Ukraine's time within about 20 nanoseconds.

How much energy does desalinisation use? Is it “absurdly cheap”?

sustainabilitybynumbers.com • 19 Sep 2024 • ~2550 words

Elon Musk has stirred up some debate by calling desalinization “absurdly cheap,” but is that really the case? This article dives into desalinization's energy demands, compares past and present figures, and explores its potential impact on global water supply and costs. If you've ever wondered about the feasibility of turning seawater into drinkable water, this piece offers many insights.

Cheap desalinisation would be very welcome indeed; not just to make societies more resilient to periods of water scarcity, but to relieve pressure on groundwater resources, and provide clean water to those that are already lacking.

Mexico’s Slide From Democracy Toward Tyranny

NOEMA • 23 Sep 2024 • ~4800 words

A former president discusses the erosion of democracy in Mexico under the current administration. It chronicles the historical struggle to establish democratic institutions in Mexico, the reforms that led to a true democracy, and the current president's efforts to undermine the independence of electoral and judicial institutions, threatening to reverse Mexico's democratic progress. The article raises concerns about the president's actions and the risk of Mexico sliding back toward authoritarianism.

This sinister purpose was explicit in the bills sent by the president to Congress. These bills, once approved by the majority controlled by the executive, were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. To overcome this obstacle, a constitutional change was enacted with the same objective: to overthrow the independent electoral authority and replace it with a sham authority designed to be under government control.

Teach the Conflicts

The American Scholar • 19 Sep 2024 • ~4100 words

This article discusses the importance of exposing students to diverse perspectives and engaging in intellectual discourse rather than promoting conformity and consensus. It argues that true education involves critically examining one's socialization and exploring alternative viewpoints, which can help revitalize college education and improve public discourse on sensitive topics. The article also explores the challenges faced by highly socialized students who are often reluctant to take intellectual risks or challenge prevailing ideas.

How does life look to the proponents of extended socialization? It no doubt seems that we are in a state of emergency. Dangers crouch on every side. Conflict, maybe serious conflict—and not of the intellectual kind—seems imminent. Under wartime conditions like this, nuance must go. Instead, we teach commitment, allegiance, alliance. We teach unanimity of thought.

Gold Treasure Worth a Fortune Was Just Hidden in a Forest. The Hunt Starts Now

WIRED • 19 Sep 2024 • ~3650 words • Archive Link

Meet Jason Rohrer, a renowned video game designer, who has created a real-world treasure hunt called "Project Skydrop". This piece details how Rohrer and his friend Tom Bailey have hidden a $25,000 gold trophy in the northeastern United States and have set up a complex treasure hunt with clues, drone photography, and a bitcoin reward to challenge people to find it. The article also explores Rohrer's motivations for creating this unique treasure hunt experience, as well as the potential risks and challenges involved.

The thing about making indie video games for a living, Rohrer means, is that they won’t make a dent beyond their small audience. Plus, he adds, he’s tired of talking about his work to people—strangers, friends, even family members—who won’t actually engage with it. Project Skydrop, he hopes, will be different. “This is happening in the real world,” he says. He also believes he can deliver a sublime moment for the eventual winner—beautiful, resonant, life-altering. Basically, a game that delivers the experience of great art.

The Downstream Effects of Fixing a Racist Lung Test

Undark Magazine • 24 Sep 2024 • ~2350 words

The recent shift towards a race-neutral algorithm for lung function testing highlights the complex legacy of racial bias in medical assessments. This piece explores the implications of this change, revealing how it could dramatically alter diagnoses and access to care, particularly for Black patients. It's a deep dive into how well-intentioned reforms can have unexpected consequences in the healthcare system, raising important questions about equity and treatment.

Applying the race-neutral algorithm means broadly that Black patients will be deemed sicker and White ones healthier than before. A higher proportion of Black people (and, to a lesser extent, Asians) will be designated impaired — which could make them ineligible for certain occupations but increase their access to disability benefits, additional testing, and referral for lung transplants. White people will experience the opposite, with some potentially seeing their disability benefits reduced or eliminated.

The Battle for the BRICS

Foreign Affairs • 24 Sep 2024 • ~3700 words • Archive Link

As the BRICS nations look to expand, the dynamics within the group are becoming increasingly complex. This piece explores how emerging powers like Indonesia are weighing the benefits of joining, while existing members navigate the tug-of-war between anti-Western sentiments and the desire for a more multipolar world. It's a thoughtful examination of how this coalition could reshape global politics in the years to come.

But despite its allure, the club must grapple with an internal fissure. Some of its members, chief among them China and Russia, want to position the grouping against the West and the global order crafted by the United States. The addition of Iran, an inveterate adversary of the United States, only deepens the sense that the group is now lining up on one side of a larger geopolitical battle. Other members, notably Brazil and India, do not share this ambition. Instead, they want to use BRICS to democratize and encourage the reform of the existing order, helping guide the world from the fading unipolarity of the post–Cold War era to a more genuine multipolarity in which countries can steer between U.S.-led and Chinese-led blocs. This battle between anti-Western states and nonaligned ones will shape the future of BRICS—with important consequences for the global order itself.

Welcome to the Golden Age of Scams

TIME • 18 Sep 2024 • ~2500 words • Archive Link

In an age where technology connects us more than ever, it also opens the door to increasingly sophisticated scams. This piece examines how technological advancements, data breaches, and the erosion of trust in institutions have enabled scammers to become more sophisticated and successful in their efforts to defraud people. It also explores the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating this epidemic of scams, as well as the rise of "scam baiters" who take matters into their own hands to expose and disrupt scamming operations.

We are living in the golden age of scams. U.S. consumers lost a record $10 billion to fraud in 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission, a 14% increase over 2022. That tally is almost certainly an undercount. More than three-quarters of victims, including Cotelingham, don’t report to authorities that they’ve been defrauded.