Reading

“President Donald Trump on Wednesday assailed his White House predecessors for not pushing back against Venezuela earlier and stated that his intention is ‘getting land, oil rights, whatever we had’ returned by the government in Caracas.” — PBS

I’m absolutely disgusted by President Trump’s attempt to start a war with Venezuela without first putting in the years of tedious, brain-breaking propaganda work. Is it fun to poison the public consciousness with outrageous lies that border on blood libel and dehumanize innocent civilians in a country that most Americans couldn’t even find on a map? Of course not. But it’s what you do! Past presidents used to understand that. Past presidents used to care.

A measly $1,776 check for members of the military can’t undo years of insults and cuts.

The post The “Warrior Dividend” Is Trump’s Latest PR Stunt to Act Like He Cares About the Troops appeared first on The Intercept.

Kate McCallister realizes that her son Kevin didn’t make it with them to the airport on their way to Paris for the holidays. She frantically pulls out her phone and calls him up.

KEVIN: Hello?

MOM: Kevin!

KEVIN: Mom?

MOM: I’m so sorry you’re home alone! Your sister accidentally took your jacket that had your AirTag in the pocket, and we were too busy listening to Audible to notice you were missing.

KEVIN: I feel so alone!

MOM: I know, sweetie! We just got to the airport, but we can catch a later flight. We might not get Delta One, alas, but that’s okay. Motion sensors say you’re in my bedroom.

KEVIN: I’m hiding under your bed.

New York Times columnist David Brooks appears at a 2011 dinner with Jeffrey Epstein in the latest set of photos from the House Oversight Committee.

The post NY Times’ David Brooks Said There’s Too Much Focus on Jeffrey Epstein. Here He Is Hanging With Epstein. appeared first on The Intercept.

The privilege of describing new species is skewed to Global Northerners

The post Parachute Science Continues to Prevail in Global South Biodiversity Studies appeared first on Nautilus.

EXT. — THE VASTNESS OF SPACE

A star, representing the angel ALBERT, shoots across the sky. It stops at a distant GALAXY. As the heavenly bodies talk, their lights blink.

ALBERT
You sent for me, sir?

GALAXY
Yes, Albert. Tonight’s going to be the crucial night for “Young Punk at Graduation Dance.”

ALBERT
Who, sir?

GALAXY
Sorry. That’s how I think of him. Tonight will be the crucial night for… Mickey Wincott.

A beat.

ALBERT
Who, sir?

GALAXY
(sighs)
The man who lurks by the controls in the Bedford Falls gymnasium to convince a jilted dancer to open the gym floor, so that the dancer’s rival falls into the swimming pool beneath.

Why the stunning rhinoceros hornbills are the farmers of the rainforest and a powerful avian symbol of regeneration

- by Aeon Video

Watch on Aeon

It’s normal to worry you’ll say the wrong thing. Here’s how to ensure your words and gestures are as supportive as possible

- by Lauren Breen & Maarten Eisma

Read on Psyche

When you need to complete a complex task, imagine daubing paint on a canvas rather than perfecting intricate brushwork

- by Richard Fisher

Read on Psyche

The discovery of organisms that have been alive for many thousands of years requires a revolution in how we understand life

- by Karen G Lloyd

Read on Aeon

Stacey Humphreys’s death sentence was rooted in juror misconduct. His fate may lie with people directly involved in his trial.

The post Secretive Georgia Clemency Board Suspends Execution After Its Conflicts of Interest Are Exposed appeared first on The Intercept.

The confrontation between states and civilians is intensifying. Across the West, governments are expanding protest bans, sentencing powers, and surveillance, as lawful expressions for dissent are either outlawed or exhausted. The crackdown has meant activists are punished more severely. Just Stop Oil founder Roger Hallam was served the longest sentence for non-violent protest ever in […]