This week — Berthe Morisot, an FBI informant, Nicola Sturgeon, and COVID-19 origin theories. If you only read one thing — The New Yorker on Chamath Palihapitiya and SPACs is worth the time.

The Pied Piper of SPACs | The New Yorker | Business

A profile of the financier Chamath Palihapitiya. Palihapitiya has become associated with the use of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), shell companies created with the purpose of purchasing private companies. The story draws a line from Palihapitiya to other “financial storytellers” in history.

bit.ly/ny-spacs

Nicola Sturgeon’s Quest for Scottish Independence | The New Yorker | Politics

A profile of the SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon.

bit.ly/ny-sturgeon

The Lab-Leak Theory: Inside the Fight to Uncover COVID-19’s Origins | Vanity Fair | Society

A detailed assessment of the ongoing debate about COVID-19’s origins.

bit.ly/vf-theory

The Impressionist Art of Seeing and Being Seen | The New York Times | Art

A close study of a painting by the Impressionist artist Berthe Morisot.

bit.ly/nyt-morisot

The Snitch | The Atavist | Crime

The story of an FBI informant who was himself engaging in a spate of criminal activity.

bit.ly/atavist-snitch