Monday, September 29
Headlines
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Eric Adams ends reelection campaign for NYC mayor. It’s five weeks before Election Day, but New Yorkers now know they’ll have a different mayor next year. Yesterday, incumbent Eric Adams dropped a nearly nine-minute video that featured Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” to announce he was leaving the race. Following months of corruption allegations, Adams had been polling in the single digits, so it’s unclear if his departure will shake up the race. He did not endorse another candidate in his announcement, but took veiled swipes at the race’s front-runner, Democrat Zohran Mamdani, saying, “insidious forces” were pushing “divisive agendas” in the city’s politics and “our children are being radicalized to hate our city and our country.” Former NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running for mayor as a third-party candidate, as Adams was, had wanted Adams to drop out of the race to improve his chances against Mamdani.
Portland and state of Oregon sue to block National Guard deployment. On Saturday, President Donald Trump said he authorized National Guard troops to “protect war-ravaged” Portland, OR, including an ICE detention facility there. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, a Democrat, said she spoke with the president by phone on Saturday, and he told her that he received word of multiple fires in the city and the federal courthouse there being assailed. She said that he may have seen footage from 2020, filmed during riots following the death of George Floyd, that he thought reflected the present day. The Guardian paid a visit to downtown Portland on Saturday and reported “the city is placid, the farmers’ market was packed and…there were just four protesters on the sidewalk near the ICE field office.” The city and state filed the lawsuit yesterday, after the Pentagon called up 200 National Guard members.
Despite Team USA rally, Europe won the Ryder Cup. The Europeans eked out a 15–13 victory this weekend, during which the visiting team endured its fair share of “unacceptable and abusive behavior” from the home crowd. Rory McIlroy’s wife, Erica, was hit by a drink thrown by an American fan on Saturday. While the US team didn’t get accosted by those on the green, it has received criticism for a new pay schema that will see team members receive $300,000 to give to the charity of their choice and $200,000 with no strings attached. European team captain Luke Donald rankled US players when he said during the opening ceremony last week, “We are fueled by something money cannot buy”—purpose, honor, and responsibility. He must have been telling the truth—he is now only the second European captain to win back-to-back Ryder Cups. In all, Europe has won 11 of the last 15.—HVL
Robert Reich
Trump’s increasingly bizarre behavior can no longer be attributed to a calculated “strategy.”
Friends,
Over the weekend, on his Truth Social, Trump shared a video purporting to be a segment on Fox News — it wasn’t — in which an AI-generated, deepfaked version of himself sat in the White House and promised that “every American will soon receive their own MedBed card” that will grant them access to new “MedBed hospitals.”
What?
Believers in the “MedBed” conspiracy theory think certain hospital beds are loaded with futuristic technology that can reverse any disease, regenerate limbs, and de-age people. No one has an actual photo of these beds because they don’t exist.
Trump also posted (again, without any basis in fact) that the FBI “secretly placed … 274 FBI Agents into the Crowd just prior to, and during” the January 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol, during which they were “probably acting as Agitators and Insurrectionists.”
At A Glance
The people who eat 100-year-old military rations.
Revisiting the first zeppelin trip around the world.
How Hollywood helped finance World War I.
Several time zone disputes throughout history.
Egyptian wrestler pulls a ship using his teeth.
Why the world's oldest person is often a woman.
... and learning from the DNA of a 117-year-old.
Kindergarten asks parents to pay up for kids' art.
Clickbait: Meet AI actress Tilly Norwood.
Historybook: John D. Rockefeller becomes world’s first billionaire (1916); Pope John Paul II is first pope to visit Ireland (1979); Stacy Allison becomes first American woman to climb Mount Everest (1988); Basketball star Kevin Durant born (1988).
In The NEWS
A brief look at recessions
Stemming from the Latin word “recessus” (meaning “a retreat”), recessions are sustained periods of declining activity in a country’s economy. During a recession, unemployment rises while economic output falls across a large swath of industries. Recessions are inevitable in modern economies, with one occurring about every six to seven years.
One common definition of a recession is when a country logs two consecutive quarters of shrinking gross domestic product, but in practice, these economic phenomena are more complex.
The US has been through 34 recessions since 1854, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. But over time, they’ve become both shorter and less frequent. Since 1980, the US has only experienced six recessions.
... Read our full deep dive on recessions here.
Also, check out ...
> Amid market downturns, some let their roots grow out—so-called "recession blondes." (More)
> The eight people who decide whether the US is in a recession. (More)
> Visualizing the trends of recessions and recoveries over 150 years. (More)
Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!
Opera, explained
Opera (derived from the Italian word for “artistic work”) is an art form that shares narratives through singing and music. The style was born in 16th-century Florence at the end of the Italian Renaissance. In the 1600s, it spread to other parts of Europe and took different shapes and styles for centuries (listen to operatic singing).
Operas and musicals are often incorrectly conflated. Operas emphasize music, rather than lyrics and dialogue, to serve the storytelling. The message transcends language in opera, exemplified by how operas are often performed in languages foreign to their audiences.
While cost barriers and a changing cultural landscape have mostly sidelined opera today, it remains culturally relevant in modern television, movies, and sports coverage that continue to use its iconic melodies.
... Read our full deep dive on opera here.
Also, check out ...
> Why Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" was so controversial. (More)
> Everything you need to know about opera etiquette. (More)
> Understanding the economic hardships opera faces. (More)
SOURCE: 1440 NEWS
We Have Been Given LIFE
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As we enter the last couple of days of September 2025, I am reminded that time seems to move faster as we get older which is good sometimes like when you have an upset stomach or nothing seems to be going right...
But, each day is a blessing of sorts, in the sense that you are above ground and will soon not be, so regardless of the day being good or bad, one should take advantage of it...
Earlier I read where some billionaires are investing heavily in items they think will extend their lives... while also investing heavily in research that will extend the lives of human beings. Maybe they gain five to ten years of additional life and can use that time to double or triple their net worth... THEY WILL STILL DIE...
For me, money does not provide me with happiness; it provides me with opportunities to have what I never thought I would have or see, but that is not necessarily happiness.
Happiness is illusive to most Americans and Global citizens; the exception being the HINDU MONKS who see happiness as finding enlightenment.
Look at it another way...
Our religious God and Jesus never spoke of wealth is the sense of it being what one should seek during their lives...
WHY???
Do our religious beliefs not see becoming wealthy as something we should strive for?
And yet, lots of wealthy people thank God for giving them the money.
Why do they not thank Jesus too?
For me, I see our religious faith and seeking wealth as being mutually exclusive and one does not beget the other... if it does, it is just coincidence...
None of those wealthy people share their wealth with poor people to the extent they would redistribute 80% of their wealth...
They may share 1-2%...
This posting started out focusing on time and it is time that I want to end with.
Time equals life.
Life is precious.
One should accept the life that one has been given as that gift has been given for a reason that you may never discover in your lifetime.
Use nature as an example as to how you should live your life.
It's just a metaphor.
A New Quest for Consciousness
In the 10 minutes before the official start of class, Professor Anne Harrington (abive) somehow managed to cover descriptions of Gilbert Ryle’s classic “category mistake” critique of mind-body dualism, Richard Feynman’s self-experimentation on falling asleep, and the layout of her course’s Canvas site.
In the 10 minutes before the official start of class, Professor Anne Harrington ’82 somehow managed to cover descriptions of Gilbert Ryle’s classic “category mistake” critique of mind-body dualism, Richard Feynman’s self-experimentation on falling asleep, and the layout of her course’s Canvas site. There was no clear beginning of the class, it seemed, only the seamless transition from casual conversation to formal lecture. Like its subject — consciousness — the boundaries of the class were amorphous.
Sunday, September 28
CULTURE
Y2K is finally turning back the clock
Hollister via Abercrombie
Nostalgia is a powerful thing: The taste of a cold Capri-Sun can remind you of soccer practice when you were a kid, or the smell of secondhand smoke can remind you of the ride home. Lately, the nostalgic lens has pointed toward Y2K, and brands and advertisers are riding the wave of fond memories.
In the hands of marketing professionals, positive memories create an emotional connection with consumers. The recent vogue for all things aughts is no exception. In fashion:Hollister, which saw its sales surge 19% last quarter, has leaned into the trend, recently bringing back some of its Y2K-era clothing for a limited time.
Von Dutch trucker hats are “poised to make a comeback this fall,” per USA Today.
Handbag-maker Vera Bradley recently enlisted ’90s teen heartthrob Devon Sawa to star in a short film dripping with Y2K-ness.
And on the streets: To promote director Darren Aronofsky’s new film Caught Stealing, which is set in 1998, a team planted payphones around New York.
Why 2K?
While millennials might appreciate seeing their scrunchies and wallet chains go up in value, it’s actually Gen Z that’s driving the Y2K renaissance.
Younger generations often pick up pieces of the past, but data suggests that Gen Z is specifically yearning for a taste of the pre-digital age. According to a 2023 Harris Poll, 60% of Gen Z adults say they wish they could return to a time before everyone was “plugged in,” which is not something they ever actually experienced. The Y2K era, which helped bridge the pre-digital and digital ages, is a natural place for Gen Z to land, because they can experience the best of both worlds.
Nirvana unplugged: Social psychologist Clay Routledge wrote in a guest essay for the New York Times that Gen Zers are increasingly worried about their relationship with technology and that “mining the past” can help them better appreciate “offline living” in the future. So, put on a CD, grab your bucket hat, and step into an analog tomorrow.—BC
Hollister via Abercrombie
Nostalgia is a powerful thing: The taste of a cold Capri-Sun can remind you of soccer practice when you were a kid, or the smell of secondhand smoke can remind you of the ride home. Lately, the nostalgic lens has pointed toward Y2K, and brands and advertisers are riding the wave of fond memories.
In the hands of marketing professionals, positive memories create an emotional connection with consumers. The recent vogue for all things aughts is no exception. In fashion:Hollister, which saw its sales surge 19% last quarter, has leaned into the trend, recently bringing back some of its Y2K-era clothing for a limited time.
Von Dutch trucker hats are “poised to make a comeback this fall,” per USA Today.
Handbag-maker Vera Bradley recently enlisted ’90s teen heartthrob Devon Sawa to star in a short film dripping with Y2K-ness.
And on the streets: To promote director Darren Aronofsky’s new film Caught Stealing, which is set in 1998, a team planted payphones around New York.
Why 2K?
While millennials might appreciate seeing their scrunchies and wallet chains go up in value, it’s actually Gen Z that’s driving the Y2K renaissance.
Younger generations often pick up pieces of the past, but data suggests that Gen Z is specifically yearning for a taste of the pre-digital age. According to a 2023 Harris Poll, 60% of Gen Z adults say they wish they could return to a time before everyone was “plugged in,” which is not something they ever actually experienced. The Y2K era, which helped bridge the pre-digital and digital ages, is a natural place for Gen Z to land, because they can experience the best of both worlds.
Nirvana unplugged: Social psychologist Clay Routledge wrote in a guest essay for the New York Times that Gen Zers are increasingly worried about their relationship with technology and that “mining the past” can help them better appreciate “offline living” in the future. So, put on a CD, grab your bucket hat, and step into an analog tomorrow.—BC
Robert Reich
An extraordinary week for America
Friends,
It was an extraordinary week. The slumbering giant of America is awakening.
Americans forced Disney to put Jimmy Kimmel back on the air. Over 6 million people watched Kimmel’s Tuesday monologue assailing Trump’s attempt to censor him. Another 26 million watched it on social media, including YouTube. (Kimmel’s usual television audience is about 1.42 million.)
Trump’s dictatorial narcissism revealed itself nearly as dramatically in the criminal indictment of former FBI director James Comey, coming immediately after Trump fired the U.S. attorney who refused to indict him.
As did Trump’s demand that prosecutors go after philanthropist George Soros, Senator Adam Schiff, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and other perceived enemies.
At A Glance
How millennial tastes and basic ROI are shrinking roller coasters.
Disney World is mosquito-less, thanks to civil engineer Joe Potter.
How China makes sand—crucial for construction—by crushing rocks.
Long barred from playing, women would eventually make bowling popular.
Gas station sushi, experts say, is actually pretty safe to eat.
Earth is the only planet in our solar system with fire.
Seventeen of history's most peculiar heists.
See rate of burnout among major occupations.
"Jaws" creators generally regret how the work stigmatized sharks.
Ian Falconer's pig character "Olivia" was based on his niece.
What does the Rosetta Stone actually say?
The stories of the voice actors behind hit kids' show "Bluey."
The "butterfly effect" is the informal name for chaos theory.
Why firms that manage wealthy families' money have boomed since 2010.
The one-time fad of investing long-term in Beanie Babies.
In The NEWS
New York City gunman had CTE, medical examiner finds.
The 27-year-old shooter who killed four people this summer in the NFL headquarters building was found to have low-stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy. CTE is a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma, which causes symptoms including memory loss, confusion, and aggression. The disease is commonly associated with football (which the shooter played in high school) and can only be diagnosed after death.
Supreme Court approves emergency request to withhold $4B in foreign aid.
The high court, in a 6-3 decision, temporarily blocked a lower court ruling that required the Trump administration to spend more than $4B in foreign aid appropriated by Congress before the funds expire Sept. 30. The conservative majority said enforcing the order would likely cause greater harm to Trump's foreign policy than to aid recipients. The liberal justices dissented, arguing the issue merited a full briefing or oral arguments.
UN delegates walk out on Netanyahu's speech.
Dozens of delegates left the UN's New York headquarters yesterday before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address. Speaking to a half-empty hall, Netanyahu directed his remarks to hostages held by Hamas, citing that Israel had put speakers around Gaza and took over phones to broadcast his words. He vowed to continue Israel's military campaign and admonished countries—including France and the UK—that recently moved to recognize Palestinian statehood.
Immigration officers detain Iowa school superintendent.
The superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, Ian Roberts, was detained Friday for being in the US illegally. A final order of removal was issued against him last year and he had no work authorization. Roberts was found in possession of a loaded gun, a hunting knife, and $3K in cash after fleeing from immigration officers during a traffic stop. Roberts, who was born in Guyana and had entered the US in 1999 on a student visa, had led the Des Moines school district since 2023.
Anthropic to triple international workforce.
The San Francisco-based AI startup's Claude chatbot now serves over 300,000 enterprise customers. Nearly 80% of usage comes from outside the United States, with per-person adoption in South Korea, Australia, and Singapore surpassing the US. The $183B company is opening its first Asia office in Tokyo, hiring for over 100 roles across Europe, and recruiting leadership in nations including India and New Zealand.
The Netherlands returns looted fossils to Indonesia.
The Dutch government agreed to return over 28,000 fossils to Indonesia, after a commission ruled they were wrongfully removed during the late 19th century. Local communities, for whom the fossils held spiritual and economic value, were coerced into revealing sites to Dutch settlers. The soon-to-be-repatriated Dubois Collection, housed in a Dutch natural history museum, includes a skull fragment considered the first fossil evidence of Homo erectus, an ancestor of modern humans.
'Rocky Horror Picture Show' turns 50.
Originally a 1975 film adaptation of a stage musical, "Rocky Horror Picture Show" follows a stranded couple who stumble into the mansion of a flamboyant scientist and his eccentric guests. The film initially flopped, earning roughly $1M ($6M today) before being pulled from theaters. It has since become a cult classic, earning around $160M worldwide, and remains the longest-running theatrical release in history.
SOURCE: 1440 NEWS
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