OMM – June 2024 – #2

~ a curated selection of discoveries ~

Jun 09, 2024

::: The Open :::

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoy this weekly newsletter (published on Sundays).

If you’re a subscriber, please consider reaching out to a friend you think may enjoy this newsletter and encourage them to sign up.

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Thank you for reading and for your time.

With Gratitude,

~ Mark

Note:

This newsletter is typically too long to appear in its entirety in an email. Please click through to Substack to read in full.

::: Personal Notes :::

The Rise & Fall of Lit Mags (an essay by yours truly) – I’m pleased to say that, since publishing this, it’s come to light that a few of these lit mags are not defunct. Good news! But, of course, the bad news is that there are many more that are… If you want to share news about the state of journals being defunct or extant, please do so in the comments on this substack post.

Much gratitude to Erika Dreifus for including my piece in her ‘Finds for Writers’

(I was admittedly pretty excited to get tagged on socials in the same post as Ada Limón)

Workshops!

There are a number of upcoming workshops that I’m hosting/moderating via ONE ART.

Please check the schedule and let me know if you can make it.

Here’s how to pay for workshop.

I have a haiku & a short poem in the new issue (#43) of Shot Glass Journal.

Much gratitude to SGJ editor, Mary-Jane Grandinetti, who has supported my work for quite a few years at this point.

::: Podcasts :::

Wonderful episode of Culture Study – “Are Millennials the Most Nostalgic Generation?”

And hey, Culture Study is on Substack. This link includes the show’s notes and links to relevant bonus materials (such as a 1988 Wrigley’s Big Red Gum Commercial). IYKYK.

Possibly my favorite pull-quote from this episode:

“I think we remember the past in melodrama.”

A few notes…

In the episode, the host, Anne Helen Petersen, and Gabe Bullard (who writes quite a bit about the subject of nostalgia it seems), discuss the tricky (slippery?) nature of ‘Restorative Nostalgia’ – a prominent and problematic example of which relates to the MAGA movement.

There’s also discussion of how digitization has, of course, been a game changer when it comes to how we interact with the past. It’s noted that instantly being able to search and find answers and info that is precise can take the joy out of conversations or, in other words, the way nostalgic moments used to be created and reminisced about.

An interesting section involves the reality that many millennials are experiencing a nostalgic moment because we’re transitioning out of being centered by society as cultural tastemakers, no longer the group most heavily catered to and marketed to for economic reasons. The reality being that Gen Z is now a more prominent target audience as they are starting to have purchasing power.

This all makes me think of Chuck Klosterman’s book The Nineties in which he portrays the 90s as, in some respects, the last authentic generation. I believe that part of what Klosterman is getting at is that more and more our culture has shifted towards simply regurgitating the past instead of creating anything that feels truly original. If I understand correctly, this phenomenon is a factor in cultural stagnation.

::: Music :::

Louisa & I made a Pride 2024 playlist.

‘Top of the Charts: The Songs the Sound Engineers Use to Tune Your Stereo’ (Car and Driver)

Older article some they’ve probably added a few tracks.

::: Film :::

Recently, I re-watched Tanya Hamilton’s Night Catches Us. The indie film was released in 2010. Trayvon Martin was killed in 2012. Even though I was living in the predominantly Black neighborhood where the film is set, the movie felt like a “historical” drama. This is a “me” problem. Issues addressed in the film never stopped being a systemic problem, I just wasn’t aware of the extent of it as a 20-something. Watching Night Catches Us in 2024, the film feels present. The film stars a young Kerry Washington and heartthrob Anthony Mackie.

Here's the film’s trailer.

I was completely taken with Alice Wu’s philosophy-laden and beautifully woven together film The Half of It (2020).

I’m now stoked to watch Wu’s 2004 film Saving Face.

Note that there’s a 16 year gap between these films.

My understanding is that it’s extremely difficult for women in the film industry to get to direct a second film unless the first is wildly successful. I can only imagine it’s that much harder for queer female directors. All this to say— support women directors, and queer directors. This reminds me how much I enjoyed Bros. I think it is highly underrated.

::: The Literary Community & Beyond :::

[from] Book Riot’s ‘The Deep Dive’

“You Pre-Ordered a Book, Forgot About It (Or At Least When It Was Coming Out), and It Shows Up on Your Doorstep... This is as close as adults can get to that feeling kids who still believe in Santa must feel. That the world is magical, cares about what you want, and unlike most things, makes good on it.”

Erin Murphy’s poem ‘The Internet of Things’ (Verse Daily)

A short poem by Betsy Mars in Haikuniverse

“We Don’t Call It a Riot” by Chad Frame in Rattle’s Poets Respond

‘The Woods at Twilight’ by Leslie Hodge published in Canary (though first published in Main Street Rag).

Leslie informs me that this poem was inspired by Faith Shearin.

I just recently became aware of Canary and I’m loving (!!) what I’m reading in the journal. I hope you’ll check out their Spring 2024 issue (#64!)

Canary has a terrific/important Mission Statement:

“Canary is a literary journal that explores one’s engagement with the natural world. It is based on the premise that the literary arts can provide an understanding that humans are part of an integrated system. Our theme is the environmental crisis and the losses of species and habitat as a result of this ongoing disaster. Our mission is to deepen awareness of the environment and enrich the well-being of the individual and in turn society as a whole.”

::: Health & Wellness :::

‘Transgender teen attempts self-mastectomy before pool party: The lack of gender-affirming care drove him to this desperate act’ (LGBTQ Nation)

Beyond the night in question. Beyond the White Bronco.

“A new documentary about Nicole Brown Simpson airing on Lifetime this weekend reveals the extent to which O.J. Simpson’s violent rage was triggered by homophobia.” (LGBTQ Nation)

I know this continues to be surprising… but society is taking its sweet time developing a male birth control contraceptive. Sure, we’re in a heated societal moment right now over abortion rights… but that wasn’t the case for a while… and we still weren’t trying very hard. Women meanwhile dealt with stroke risks (among other terrifying side effects) from “the patch” back in the early 2000s. If you’re bold enough to ask a woman about her annual appointment, she’ll inform you that many aspects of the whole experience remain medieval and archaic. Where is the money for this? There is certainly plenty of money to help men keep it up, right? I digress.

‘ Male birth control gel is safe and effective, new trial findings show’ (NBC News)

This is AMAZING to see.

Points for the engineers out there making the world turn.

‘When driving on the wrong side of the road is the right way to speed up traffic’ (NPR)

Learn more about the divergent diamond interchange concept

Check out the benefits

FAQs

“Childbirth is deadlier in the U.S. than any other high-income nation.” (WaPo)

“About 22 maternal deaths happened for every 100,000 live births in the U.S., a new study found. For Black people, it was 49.5 deaths.”

“In 2022, Norway’s maternal death rate was zero.”

“A lack of maternity care providers, after-birth home visits and paid parental leave raises the risk of maternal mortality, experts said.”

‘Drug that regrows teeth to be tested in humans this September’ (Salon)

Excellent. I’ve been waiting for this. I knew it was coming…eventually.

We are become sharks.

Doxy for STI Prevention (AP)

Note: there’s a focus here on repeat STI issues

“Yesterday, the CDC recommended that some people should consider taking an antibiotic after unprotected sex as a way to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STI). The antibiotic, doxycycline, would need to be taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex, similar to the morning after pill. The new guidance is specific to gay and bisexual men and transgender women who had an STI in the past year and are at high risk of getting infected again. Studies have shown the drug cuts chances of syphilis and chlamydia infections by more than 70% and gonorrhea by about 50%.”

“CDC officials are calling this the first prevention tool against STIs that the agency has signed off on in decades. The guidance comes amid reports that syphilis cases have been on the rise among gay and bisexual men. However, the CDC reportedly said there’s not enough evidence yet that doxycycline can be used more widely to lower the risk of infection.” (The Skimm)

‘Major cause of inflammatory bowel disease found’ (BBC)

“They found a weak spot in our DNA that is present in 95% of people with the disease.”

“One part of the immune system that is highly implicated in IBD are white blood cells called macrophages.”

“Inflammation is part of the body’s normal response to infection, but too much for too long can have devastating health consequences.”

“Yet, there is not going to be a new IBD treatment imminently.”

“They aim is to start clinical trials within five years.”

Major Alzheimer’s study retracted

" Authors of a landmark Alzheimer’s disease research paper published in Nature in 2006 have agreed to retract the study in response to allegations of image manipulation. University of Minnesota (UMN) Twin Cities neuroscientist Karen Ashe, the paper’s senior author, acknowledged in a post on the journal discussion site PubPeer that the paper contains doctored images. The study has been cited nearly 2500 times, and would be the most cited paper ever to be retracted, according to Retraction Watch data." (Science.org)

::: Small Explorations & Deep Dives :::

This came up recently, in another context… When you start making lists… there is reason for deep concern.

Here’s a site that, apparently, extreme conservatives use to identify if brands are “woke”.

I addressed aspects of this in the last newsletter.

Businesses are not in the business of politics.

Most businesses do not need to take a stance on social issues.

“While a majority of Democrats (62%) believed businesses ought to be political, only 17% of Republicans thought so, the report found.” (Morning Brew)

I identify as left-leaning (so beyond basic democrat or “center-left”). I’m progressive in the ways that matter. Or, at least, I think I am. I suppose others can be the judge of that.

Time’s 100 Most Influential Companies of 2024

‘Quality early education can be expensive or hard to find. Home visits bring it to more families’ (AP)

A reminder of the importance of early childhood education.

Straight Outta Upper Darby

(extra points for being a Philly local)

‘Star student accepted into 20 schools, earned over $1 million in grants’

“Jayden is planning to study business at West Chester University.”

Everyone I’ve talked to who is a West Chester grad has had pretty much nothing but good things to say about their college experience. This is notable because it is rare.

In other Philly-centric news…

‘How Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper helped a student secure a date to prom’ (Today)

Link to cute video of this event:

mlb

A post shared by @mlb

West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin has officially left the Democratic Party and switched to being Independent.

Not really hot take…

These “split toe loafers” are hideous and should be banned.

The frustrations of contemporary tipping culture continue…

“Claypool has worked in restaurants and still tips for table service, but now does a “Taco Bell test” to decide whether or not to tip in other places. If she wouldn’t tip for the same service at a Taco Bell, she won’t tip at a local café. It’s partly financial and partly on principle. “There’s a socioeconomic divide that’s not being talked about,” Claypool says.” (Bon Appetit)

“A Ghana toddler sets a world record as the youngest male artist. His mom says he just loves colors” (AP)

Over the past 4-ish years…

Car insurance is up ~ 46%

Utilities are up ~ 34%

Housing is up ~ 23%

Eating out is up ~ 25%

Used car prices are coming down… finally… but still up ~ 29%

Basically… most things in our lives are up over 20%

(Resource: Chartr)

Competitive eating is unethical. It also has unsurprising health consequences.

“I am Japanese but I've eaten like an American. I think that's what damaged my body," he said. "I overeat because I’m a competitive eater. ... When you eat too much, you don’t savor the taste or fully enjoy the smell of the food. You ignore you body’s signals, like fullness.”

“Although Kobayashi won't be competing at Coney Island on the Fourth of July anymore, he's not giving up hot dogs completely. Kobayashi said he's on a mission to "create a healthier hot dog" that features traditional Japanese ingredients.”

(USA Today)

I discovered this “debate” about what “biweekly” means and—I’m putting my foot down— biweekly means twice per month. Period.

Shocking! Museum dedicated to French cheese opens

Gen Z loves… Kafka? (Le Monde)

Rupert Murdoch got married for the 5^th time.

Some people never learn. I mean… good for him.

LEGO breaks into production of religious architecture with a 4,383-piece set of the Notre Dame Cathedral

‘How the National Park Service Saved the Channel Islands’ Endangered Fox’

CUTENESS ALERT

Can we make home buying easier?

trigger warning: math

“Even if rates were to fall to 6% or 5.5%, "you're still going to have people who are not going to move, who are not going to give up their house forever, basically," Will Doerner, an economist at the FHFA and a coauthor of the paper, told me. "It's going to take a heck of a change for them to ever want to get rid of those mortgages."

Say what you want about the Olympics… I’m stoked that breakdancing has FINALLY been let in

‘X tweaks rules to formally allow adult content’ (Tech Crunch)

Elon seems to want Twitter (er, X, ugh) seamlessly blend into something akin to PornHub.

“A venture capital firm was blocked yesterday from awarding grants to Black women.” (WaPo)

“An appeals court said the Atlanta-based Fearless Fund’s grants might discriminate against business owners of other races, and they must stop during an ongoing case.”

“The fund was sued last August by a prominent opponent of affirmative action. The case could shape the future of race-based initiatives in the U.S.”

Why isn’t the AMEX Centurion card mentioned in more gangster rap tracks?

Trick question, I guess. Because it is mentioned. It’s just typically called “the black card”.

Luxury possession max out for me at a pretty low bar… at present… you never know how susceptible to lifestyle creep you are until you get there, I suppose.

Some day, I may buy this for myself, when I feel like I’ve really earned it.

I cannot imagine how much philanthropy I’d require of myself before I’d find it acceptable to buy something like this.

I really do believe in Effective Altruism… not in the worrisome way of “-isms”. And Longtermism, too. And I’m a big fan of the concept of Giving What We Can. That being said, I can’t practice what I preach all the time. I can tip big at a restaurant… but I can’t just give away money to everyone… because I don’t have that money to give. This is troubling, for many reasons, especially with desires (upbringing, self-training) in the vein of tikkun olam.

I’ve been giving small micro loans through Kiva since 2009. It’s not what Give Well or Effective Altruists would necessarily recommend as a method of “doing the most good”. But if we all gave to just a few people/organizations in what is determined to be in the most need then none of the other people/organizations in need would receive any aid.

I don’t know if I’ve said on in this newsletter before that I follow a version of how I interpret Ralph Waldo Emerson’s concept of ‘The American Scholar’. I don’t consider myself a transcendentalist though. Who wants to be pigeonholed, right?

I digress.

Seth Godin on one of the many paradigm shifts happening in society.

On Trend

Mini TJ’s insulated bags

Flying Cars.

Hot take: We don’t need them.

Also, initially, all I can think of is everyday people trying to fly something helicopter-esque and the very idea of it terrifies me.

“The Chinese city of Guangzhou is putting $1.4 billion toward the development of flying cars, dubbed the “low-altitude economy.” The investment reflects the government’s belief that piloted and autonomous civilian aircraft could serve as a growth engine to help reverse a sluggish economy, Nikkei reported. While regulatory hurdles remain, China has loosened some restrictions on the nascent industry and plans to put the new money toward building takeoff and landing points for the craft. Guangzhou makes sense as the place to start: It’s home to two prominent flying car companies, and is located in the same province as Shenzhen, a major tech hub.” [Semafor]

Gender-related Violence in Mexico has been insane for… a long time. Have you read the startling tome of a novel ‘2066’ by Roberto Bolaño?

“Hours after Claudia Sheinbaum was elected as Mexico’s first woman president, gunmen killed a female mayor. While Sheinbaum’s victory represented a leap for women in Mexico, many are still victims of gender-based violence. According to official figures, almost 3,500 women were killed in the country last year, likely a major underestimate. Sexual violence against women has also been on the rise: In 2022 alone, nearly 60,000 cases were reported, almost none of which were prosecuted. “The [judicial] system is so inefficient that there is no price for killing a Sanctuary

‘National parks just got $700 million in federal funds to fight climate change. See some of the projects already making a difference.’ (GoodGoodGood)

AI will be getting personal in the not too distant future…

Semafor:

“AI could soon be helping you watch what you eat, literally. Researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada are developing technology that parses video footage of every spoonful (or forkful or chopsticks-full) on its way to a person’s mouth to determine calorie intake.”

“That’s supposed to make it more accurate than current services that rely on photos of food, which may not capture things like ingredients in a stew. The researchers say it has a 4.4% margin of error in calculating how much food you are eating.”

“Eventually, the technology should be able to identify what a person is eating, even if the AI hasn’t seen it before, like a mishmash of leftovers.”

TXSE vs. NYSE?

“The Texas Stock Exchange is planning to file with the SEC later this year after raising $120 million from various investors and hotshot firms like Citadel and BlackRock, according to the WSJ.”

“The TXSE pledged to be more “CEO-friendly,” drawing a clear distinction from the Nasdaq, which requires companies on the exchange to meet a diversity requirement or explain why they can’t.”

(Morning Brew)

The invasion of the Joro spiders is OTW.

So far I hear they are harmless to humans.

Philly setting a record on a national stage. This city is more than cheese steaks and soft pretzels.

‘Guinness just recognized this drag queen story hour as the biggest ever’ (LGBTQ Nation)

It’s notable that the pre-game confidence in Philly was strong. From a local article I read in advance, there was high confidence the record would be set.

Gangster? Why is 50 Cent cozying up with Lauren Boebert? (Complex)

Rappers have had a thing for Donald Trump since… forever. Boebert isn’t Trump… though she is extremely insensitive. I don’t even think I need to reference anything… she’s fairly vocal about her misadventures.

50’s tweet is pretty funny, regardless.

In fairness, this guy’s been shot a bunch of times… in the face… and lived to tell the tale.

If you remember the history, or watched Netflix’s ‘Hip-Hop Evolution’ (highly recommend: shout-out to my buddy J Gold), then you’ll recall he kinda sorta brought it on himself. Not getting shot, obviously, but basically starting beefs with everyone in the game… as if they were just gonna let it slide.

The New York Times posted about how our driving is tracked… it’s not necessarily a bad idea… if done responsibly…

“You know you have a credit score. Did you know that you might also have a driving score?”

“Driving scores are based on how often you slam on the brakes, speed, look at your phone or drive late at night — information that, likely without your knowing, can be collected by your car or by apps on your smartphone. That data is sold to brokers, who work with auto insurers.”

“These scores can help determine how much drivers pay for insurance. That’s not necessarily a bad thing: Experts say that basing premiums on how we actually drive — rather than on our credit scores and whether we’re married or went to college — could be a fairer system, and ultimately improve road safety.”

“But this tracking will only lead to safer driving if people know that it is happening.”

::: Google Search Trends :::

‘The Idea of You’ is trending. As it should. Great film. Search the archives and you’ll discover me talking about this film in another OMM Sunday Newsletter.

Trending tv shows (U.S.)

1.     Maxton Hall
2.     The Chi
3.     Bridgerton
4.     Young Sheldon
5.     Under the Bridge

The People are searching for “family compound”…uhh…terrifying.

Top searched Prides

past month, US

1.     New York
2.     Chicago
3.     Washington DC
4.     San Francisco
5.     Philadelphia
6.     West Hollywood
7.     San Diego
8.     Denver
9.     Long Beach
10. Boston

I look of folks are trying to learn about lupus… and specifically “how do people get lupus”

“Men’s mental health month origin” is a popular search

Dr. Pepper is popular for being popular. They’ve basically tied for the #2 spot (with Pepsi) behind Coke. IMHO, no one should drink soda. But that’s me and my ways about food…

Absolutely no one should drink Fresca. Crime against humanity. And I’m not talking about the card game.

People are intrigued by the “yolo economy” … whatever that is

Crochet shirts are popular

Polo shirts are popular… in warm weather… shocker

People are still obsessed with “quiet quitting”

A newer one is “stealth pto” … which… come on now … it’s using sick days when you need a mental health day … or are severely hungover, I suppose

The People are wondering what constitutes “excessive absenteeism” … uhh, pretty sure if you have to look it up you’re doing the thing

“Coffee badging” seems to be a thing…

I’d never heard this term…

Apparently, it’s when you basically go to work and “clock in” or be seen or grab a coffee … maybe some “water cooler” talk … and then you disappear— possibly to another job. It’s some variation on the Office Space checking out concept but actually kinda next level. At least Ron Livingston was physically in the office most of the time, right? Also hypnosis was a factor so, like, maybe he gets a fictional pass.

Top trending “how to improve” with workplace

past year, US

1.     How to improve safety culture in the workplace?
2.     How to improve workplace morale?
3.     How to improve critical thinking skills in the workplace?
4.     How to improve social awareness in the workplace?
5.     How to improve d&i in the workplace?

I’m sure everyone has an opinion on this. Opinions that they wouldn’t put on LinkedIn.

OMM – June 2024 – #2

~ a curated selection of discoveries ~

Discussion about this post