May 27, 2016

Friday Diversions: May, Part Three

Wait, what? A diversions” post on a Friday instead of on a Sunday?

I felt like I needed to mix things up a little. June is a month of change (more on that later this month) so instead of a thought-provoking list of articles and posts every few Sundays, I’ll be posting a shorter, lighter list of links and miscellaneous observations every few Fridays to usher you into those fun summer weekends.

Here is some random, unrelated miscellany, gathered in short list form:

Over the past couple of months of unemployment, I’ve spent a lot of time taking baths: The bath allows us to be both uncovered and cosy. The bath hints to the body of its distant past of complete contentment, before it was propelled across the horizon of birth into the imperfect world.”

When my family moved from East Africa to the United States, getting work permits and green cards was a struggle. (Getting Canadian citizenship proved a lot easier, back then; I’ve heard it’s gotten a lot worse now. This first-person narrative of an immigrant family getting their green cards over the span of years eloquently captures the sense of impatience.

On my list of things to read: Sherry Turkle’s Reclaiming Conversation. Read this excellent review of Turkle’s book that reflects at on how we’re hopelessly hooked to digital media.

As part of my effort to better control what I consume, I’ve been tempted to shutter my Tumblr account (more on that later). One of the things that’s making me want to stay is the insider culture that is fostered by Tumblr teens, but has nuggets of humour and insight that I’ll definitely miss.

I’ve read a lot about Warren Buffett and his work and charity, but I had never heard of his son’s quest to use agriculture to eradicate hunger and poverty. Fascinating, important work.

I’ve only ever read two books on my digital device, vastly preferring the print experience, but this rumination on the Proustian experience of reading Proust on an iPhone makes me want to try again.

If anyone reading this knows Thomas Perez, Secretary of Labor, please give him a high five for me. He and his staff are doing excellent, laudable, and important work. (I’m excited by the rumours of his potential as Hillary Clinton’s running mate this fall.)

What would you do with a doctor in your pocket? Since moving to a new city, we’ve had to find new family doctors. I’m tempted to not find a new family doctor and just try out a service like Akira instead. What do you think?