Art of all types is always important—but maybe especially so when the world feels broken. After 32 years, I’m still often surprised by how a good song or article or performance can change my perspective, my mood, and my mind.
This month, we’re sharing eye-opening and inspiring finds, as well as a roundup of our favorite podcasts.
David:
Reply All
Andrew:
You Must Remember This
Justin:
The Wanger Show
Mimi
editor
Katie
design associate
Go to Katie’s pick
Go to Mimi’s pick
I just started the Nice White Parents podcast, and I may listen to all five episodes in a mere two days. This brief description from the podcast page says it all: “If you want to understand what’s wrong with our public schools, you have to look at what is arguably the most powerful force in shaping them: white parents.” The outsized impact wealthy white parents have, particularly in cities that are socioeconomically and racially diverse, is not necessarily surprising. But this podcast deftly illuminates critical issues that emerge from well-meaning choices made by liberal white parents. Questions about who benefits from integration and how new resources are distributed are emerging, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Rachel:
Code Switch; Death, Sex, and Money; Desert Island Discs
Alia
VP,
strategy and planning
Go to Alia’s pick
Allan
senior adviser
Go to Allan’s pick
To say that some experts are missing the point is an easy hook, but this column, “Too many AI researchers think real-world problems are not relevant,” goes into some specific examples of how AI researchers sometimes weigh theory more than application. For instance, while we could experiment with using AI to help increase grape yields, vineyards are often more concerned with the right kinds of grapes—with the right balance of sugars and acids. One of the reasons for such blunt-force research methods is likely related to the ease of maximizing quantities compared with fine-tuning the quality of grapes. Still, this column is a reminder that investigating the right questions will always be important.
I never got to see Hamilton on the stage, so I was pleased when Disney announced it would stream the musical on Disney+. We subscribed for $6.99/month, watched the show, and canceled. It was great to watch and a bargain at $6.99, but I still would like to see the play in person. Meantime, I started reading Ron Chernow's 2004 biography of Hamilton, which Lin-Manuel Miranda said inspired him to write the musical.
It’s easy to have your whole perception of the world change when the whole world changes around you—a feeling I’ve been overwhelmed with lately. The Atlantic’s article, “What you lose when you gain a spouse,” wonders if marriage is the institution some of us believe it to be and explores what we give up when we view marriage as the be-all and end-all of relationships.
Our favorite podcasts: