Icebound: The climate-change secrets of 19th century ship’s logbooks
A story looking at what we can learn from historical climate records, in this case the log books of 19th-century vessels.
The False Romance of Russia
A story about American right’s somewhat surprising love affair with Russia.
The Gospel of Wealth According to Marc Benioff
A look at the Salesforce founder Marc Benioff’s efforts at philanthropy – the story refers to a description of him as a “clarifying agent” of our times – in that he demonstrates both the impact and the limits of what the “good billionaire” can do.
Flight to the Forest
A story of a Swiss man who lived amongst the Penan in Sarawak, Malaysia – “one of the last populations of genuine nomads in the world”. Following run-ins with the Malaysian government and logging companies, and a brief repatriation to Switzerland, he returned to Sarawak undercover, only to go missing whilst trekking. Nearly 20 years later, he has never been found.
The Age of Instagram Face
A look at how at the strange phenomenon whereby “social media, FaceTune, and plastic surgery” has resulted in “a single, cyborgian look” becoming predominant in fashion, entertainment, and media. https://bit.ly/ny-cyborgian
We spent 10 years talking to people. Here’s what it taught us about Britain
A review of a decade of vox pops across Britain, asking ordinary people what they think about politics and more.
Chaos at the Top of the World
The story of a tragic day on Mount Everest, and the factors that contributed to it.
I Worked for Alex Jones. I Regret It.
A conflicted former staffer reports from ringside seats with the far-right controversialist Alex Jones.
Reading in the Age of Constant Distraction
A meditative piece on the value of reading books, in comparison with our digital lives – “the internet, is a nowhere space, a shallow time. It is a flat and impenetrable surface. But with a book, we dive in; we are sucked in; we are immersed, body and soul.”
Libra’s biggest problem? Facebook
A look at the travails at Facebook’s proposed alternative financial system.