August 7, 2020
Jerry Falwell Jr. to take 'indefinite leave of absence'
Jerry Falwell, Jr. posted a picture of himself on his yacht. It got him fired. He's been making trouble for himself, for a while.
Inside the Iraqi Kleptocracy
The coronavirus pandemic has now pushed Iraq to the brink of an existential crisis. The global collapse of demand for oil has brought prices to historic lows, delivering a terrible shock to a country whose economy depends almost entirely on oil revenue. But it could also offer the new Iraqi prime minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, an extraordinary opportunity to face his country’s most intractable problem. Corruption can now be framed as a life-or-death issue: Iraq must choose between feeding its people and enriching its kleptocrats. Kadhimi has promised to take up this challenge. He is not likely to succeed unless the United States seizes this chance to undo some of the damage it has done in Iraq, and to make common cause with the protesters who are hoping to re-establish their country on a new footing.
What’s lurking beneath Lake Merritt? More than you think
Citizen scientists are documenting the strange creatures living in the lake, and helping us understand how to rewild it.
This year, Oaklanders will celebrate Lake Merritt’s 150th anniversary as the country’s first wildlife refuge. But the lake, once called the “Lake of 1,000 Smells,” has never quite been able to shake off its reputation as a polluted cesspool. Some people assume that the urban body of water is man-made, unnatural, and inhospitable to wildlife. Since the city was founded in 1852, the plants, animals, and other life that live in Lake Merritt have struggled with poor water quality and trash. However, its waters are far from empty. More than 600 species have been identified at Lake Merritt, including non-native lifeforms from all over the world.[more inside]
Caesar the No Drama Llama
Caesar the No Drama Llama is a 5'8", 350lb, llamactivist becoming famous for showing up at protests offering emotional support hugs. [more inside]
5 Shorts Project/Projet 5 courts
The National Film Board of Canada's 5 Shorts Project "explores the short documentary genre by working with artist-run centres or production centres throughout the various regions of Quebec," and the fourth edition consists of films "created by a filmmaker-sound artist duo: Attuned (Steve Verreault and Sébastien Dave Tremblay) [NFB | YouTube], Mounds (Nicolas Paquet and Tom Jacques) [NFB | YouTube], It'll Be Nice Out Tomorrow (Guillaume Lévesque and Antoine Létourneau-Berger) [NFB | YouTube] and Night Fair (Cynthia Naggar and Gueze) [NFB | YouTube]." [more inside]
Smooth angles that would minimize anal trauma
From the JSTOR daily blog, "this is how they wiped themselves in Ancient Rome" (direct link to BMJ article) (previously). A deeper dive into the history of toilets. (epic previously).
Community is for helping
Tips For Community Fundraising during hard times. [edited to add] Void Academy's Siena Oristaglio offers advice for artists on how to raise funds to support themselves during crisis.
yet another incremental game
distance incremental an incremental game in which you build rockets, manipulate time, and in general just go really absurdly far [more inside]
The (witty banter) that threatens doom
Two Minutes to Late Night (s01 finale) is a Brooklyn-based musical talk show fronted by Gwarsenio Hall (aka Jordan Olds) alongside house band Mutoid Man, featuring a combination of live musical performances, guest appearances, and in-depth interviews. During the pandemic lockdown, the team has been working to organize collaborative covers recorded remotely by wide ranging performers and a fantastic selection of songs - see the most recent, Emma Ruth Rundle + Mastodon + YOB + Old Man Gloom covering Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill". [more inside]
"Like a greasy chip butty, oh Sheffield United, come thrill me again"
Hello. (Guardian) How to eat: chip butties. (your terminology may vary) An example of one in Scunthorpe. This chippy uses stotties. Add salad cream to taste, or tomato ketchup, or in Sheffield with Henderson's Relish (nearby posh), or in Barnsley with a side, or in Scotland replace with egg, or add baked beans, or in Gloucester ram it all in with your large battered sausage. A legitimate butty uses margarine (cheapest is bestest), and not butter. A close up. Chip shop chips are best. There are other edible and non-edible uses of chips, and scallops. WikiNot. For meat eaters, the British Sandwich Association has information on the bacon butty. (title and lyrics)
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