Why The Odyssey is still worth reading
Was I excited to read The Odyssey in high school? Not especially, even as a future lit major. Was I excited to read Constance Grady’s take on whether we should all pick up a copy of it again this summer? Absolutely! And it seems, as Christopher Nolan’s epic film hits theaters, a lot of us are. The 2,800-year-old book’s sales are surging. With her characteristic good humor and insight, Constance walks us through why we should indeed return to this old tale — and have ourselves a “hot Odyssey summer.”
🎧 How the UK became ungovernable
The UK often evokes an image of stability; continuity; and, well, nonagenarian monarchs. So, what has been happening in their central government over the past decade — they’re now on their seventh prime minister in that time — is both surprising and fascinating. In a new episode of Today, Explained, co-host Sean Rameswaram talks with an expert to try to understand what’s behind this anarchy in the UK.
This US state has become an unexpected epicenter of the global extinction crisis
When biodiversity reporter Benji Jones told me he wanted to go report on a hotspot of wildlife biodiversity in the US, I was not expecting to hear what he said next: “It’s Alabama.” It turns out, aside from the much-larger California, Alabama has the most endangered animal species in the country. It also gets very little funding to help save its incredible creatures. Benji tromped through roadside streams, where he found endangered fish and picked his way through bogs filled with carnivorous plants and rare crayfish — and met with the people trying to save the state’s many extraordinary mussels with little more than buckets and a lot of hard work. He also took stunning photos along the way.
📹 How F1 pushes the human body to its limits
After a summer of watching athletes sprint across the soccer field, it seems surprising to think of the physically taxing nature of a sport that is technically driving a car. But this new video from Nate Krieger shows just how demanding this extreme sport is. To find out, Nate went to the gym to try out training like an F1 driver. It’s not actually all in the hands; think more like training for an NFL linebacker.
How to keep your cool when it feels like everything is going wrong
Like much of the country, it’s hot right now where I live. And this week has been delivering curve balls left and right — at home (currently having a dumpster delivered), at my kid’s summer camp (lice scare!), and at work (juggling vacation coverages). So, from my very feebly air-conditioned home, I was eagerly awaiting Allie Volpe’s smart piece on tips to handle all the metaphorical heat — and in her cool and calm helpful style she definitely delivers. I hope it helps your weekend and week ahead too!
And if you need to chill out more, in case you forgot, UNEXPLAINABLE IS ON NETFLIX NOW!
