Why do small children in Japan ride the subway alone?
(economist.com)
Why does Ohtani Shohei, a Japanese baseball star, pick up litter after games? Why do Japanese people queue so politely, and wait for green lights before crossing the road? Why, in short, is Japan so orderly? Some say the answer lies in its primary schools.
Why does Ohtani Shohei, a Japanese baseball star, pick up litter after games? Why do Japanese people queue so politely, and wait for green lights before crossing the road? Why, in short, is Japan so orderly? Some say the answer lies in its primary schools.
The history of sex toys and what they tell us about ancient women
(rte.ie)
During a recent trip to London, I had the honour of finally visiting the Vagina Museum. This delightful museum is an inclusive space that celebrates vulvas, vaginas, and advocates for self-acceptance and equality.
During a recent trip to London, I had the honour of finally visiting the Vagina Museum. This delightful museum is an inclusive space that celebrates vulvas, vaginas, and advocates for self-acceptance and equality.
What it's like working for American companies as an Australian
(seangoedecke.com)
For the last ten years I’ve worked for American tech companies as an Australian based in Australia.
For the last ten years I’ve worked for American tech companies as an Australian based in Australia.
Zuckerberg Says Most Companies Need More 'Masculine Energy'
(bloomberg.com)
Mark Zuckerberg lamented the rise of “culturally neutered” companies that have sought to distance themselves from “masculine energy,” adding that it’s good if a culture “celebrates the aggression a bit more.”
Mark Zuckerberg lamented the rise of “culturally neutered” companies that have sought to distance themselves from “masculine energy,” adding that it’s good if a culture “celebrates the aggression a bit more.”
Why Hong Kong uses bamboo scaffolding, and meet the spider-men who climb it
(scmp.com)
Hong Kong is one of the last places in the world where bamboo is still widely used for scaffolding in construction. It’s flexible, strong and cheaper than steel and aluminium — metal alternatives that are now more commonly used in mainland China and elsewhere in Asia.
Hong Kong is one of the last places in the world where bamboo is still widely used for scaffolding in construction. It’s flexible, strong and cheaper than steel and aluminium — metal alternatives that are now more commonly used in mainland China and elsewhere in Asia.
There are no pure cultures – we have always been global
(aeon.co)
In the 1990s, an entire generation was robbed of its historical consciousness by a powerful and seemingly unprecedented tale.
In the 1990s, an entire generation was robbed of its historical consciousness by a powerful and seemingly unprecedented tale.
Why China is losing interest in English
(economist.com)
IN PREPARATION FOR the summer Olympics in 2008, the authorities in Beijing, the host city and China’s capital, launched a campaign to teach English to residents likely to come in contact with foreign visitors.
IN PREPARATION FOR the summer Olympics in 2008, the authorities in Beijing, the host city and China’s capital, launched a campaign to teach English to residents likely to come in contact with foreign visitors.
People Are the New Brands
(profgalloway.com)
America has fallen out of love with brands and in love with people. This is evident in every corner of American life — from politics and business to technology and media. People are the new brands.
America has fallen out of love with brands and in love with people. This is evident in every corner of American life — from politics and business to technology and media. People are the new brands.
A Supermarket in California (1955)
(poetryfoundation.org)
What thoughts I have of you tonight, Walt Whitman, for I walked down the sidestreets under the trees with a headache self-conscious looking at the full moon.
What thoughts I have of you tonight, Walt Whitman, for I walked down the sidestreets under the trees with a headache self-conscious looking at the full moon.
Guide to Japanese Idioms
(japanswitch.com)
七転び八起き・Nanakorobiyaoki Do you know what that is? That’s one of the Japanese idioms. An idiom is an expression, quote, or phrase that usually brings up a figurative meaning that is not literal, that is connected to the phrase. It is often a customary turn of phrase that is only comprehensible because it is popular and used by most people.
七転び八起き・Nanakorobiyaoki Do you know what that is? That’s one of the Japanese idioms. An idiom is an expression, quote, or phrase that usually brings up a figurative meaning that is not literal, that is connected to the phrase. It is often a customary turn of phrase that is only comprehensible because it is popular and used by most people.
Wends of Texas
(wikipedia.org)
The Texas Wends or Wends of Texas are a group of people descended from a congregation of 558 Sorbian/Wendish people under the leadership and pastoral care of John Kilian (Sorbian languages: Jan Kilian, German: Johann Killian) who emigrated from Lusatia (part of modern-day Germany) to Texas in 1854.[1] The term also refers to the other emigrations (and all descendants) occurring before and after this group. However, none came close to the size or importance of the Wendish culture in Texas.
The Texas Wends or Wends of Texas are a group of people descended from a congregation of 558 Sorbian/Wendish people under the leadership and pastoral care of John Kilian (Sorbian languages: Jan Kilian, German: Johann Killian) who emigrated from Lusatia (part of modern-day Germany) to Texas in 1854.[1] The term also refers to the other emigrations (and all descendants) occurring before and after this group. However, none came close to the size or importance of the Wendish culture in Texas.
Stay Gold, America
(codinghorror.com)
We are at an unprecedented point in American history, and I'm concerned we may lose sight of the American Dream.
We are at an unprecedented point in American history, and I'm concerned we may lose sight of the American Dream.
Tomatoes Were Considered Sinful – Until the Salem Tomato Trial of 1820 (2019)
(thevintagenews.com)
The most controversial thing about a tomato today is whether it’s a vegetable or a fruit. Yet things weren’t always like that. As recently as 200 years ago tomatoes were associated not only with sin, but also an obstacle to salvation.
The most controversial thing about a tomato today is whether it’s a vegetable or a fruit. Yet things weren’t always like that. As recently as 200 years ago tomatoes were associated not only with sin, but also an obstacle to salvation.
Yemeni Coffee Shops in Texas
(texasmonthly.com)
They’re popular hangouts for Arab and Muslim populations, but they also attract a diverse group of customers who seek alcohol-free spaces that are open late.
They’re popular hangouts for Arab and Muslim populations, but they also attract a diverse group of customers who seek alcohol-free spaces that are open late.
Self Unhelped: On psychoanalysis and therapeutic culture
(sydneyreviewofbooks.com)
Reviewing books by two of the world’s leading psychoanalytic writers, Christian R. Gelder explores the challenge that psychoanalysis poses not only to conventional understandings of self and sex, but also to the prevailing therapeutic culture.
Reviewing books by two of the world’s leading psychoanalytic writers, Christian R. Gelder explores the challenge that psychoanalysis poses not only to conventional understandings of self and sex, but also to the prevailing therapeutic culture.
It's Time to End Our Subscription Addiction
(futureproofnews.substack.com)
There was a time, not that long ago, when the funniest writing in the world was happening on Twitter. And the undisputed philosopher-king among Twitter shit-posters was an account called dril.
There was a time, not that long ago, when the funniest writing in the world was happening on Twitter. And the undisputed philosopher-king among Twitter shit-posters was an account called dril.
The Peter Principle still resonates
(cbc.ca)
Published in 1969, The Peter Principle skewered corporate culture decades before Dilbert and The Office became pop culture hits. While it was written as satire, researchers have looked into the treatise to see what can be done to prevent workers from rising to their level of incompetence.
Published in 1969, The Peter Principle skewered corporate culture decades before Dilbert and The Office became pop culture hits. While it was written as satire, researchers have looked into the treatise to see what can be done to prevent workers from rising to their level of incompetence.
Twinge of Saudade: Biographies of Abba
(lrb.co.uk)
In 1977, Abba were waiting at Arlanda Airport in Stockholm when they noticed a dishevelled young man charging towards them.
In 1977, Abba were waiting at Arlanda Airport in Stockholm when they noticed a dishevelled young man charging towards them.
How the lore of New Year defeated the law of New Year
(davidallengreen.com)
By the mid 1700s in England there was a curious juxtaposition between the lore of New Year’s Day and the law of New Year’s Day.
By the mid 1700s in England there was a curious juxtaposition between the lore of New Year’s Day and the law of New Year’s Day.
Dinner for One: British comedy Germans have been laughing at for years (2018)
(theguardian.com)
Ten years ago, on New Year’s Eve, my mother grabbed my English boyfriend’s arm and led him to the television. “It’s time for Dinner for One,” she said excitedly as the whole family gathered – as we do every year – to fall about laughing at an old British black-and-white comedy sketch.
Ten years ago, on New Year’s Eve, my mother grabbed my English boyfriend’s arm and led him to the television. “It’s time for Dinner for One,” she said excitedly as the whole family gathered – as we do every year – to fall about laughing at an old British black-and-white comedy sketch.
Dungeons and Dragons rolls the dice with new rules about identity
(nytimes.com)
The role-playing game replaced “race” with “species” and divorced several character traits from biological identity. Some longtime players are upset (as is Elon Musk).
The role-playing game replaced “race” with “species” and divorced several character traits from biological identity. Some longtime players are upset (as is Elon Musk).
Greeks Are Defying an Indoor Smoking Ban
(nytimes.com)
Greeks smoke more than most other Europeans, and even 14 years after Greece banned smoking in indoor public places, it is not uncommon to see people light up in bars and clubs.
Greeks smoke more than most other Europeans, and even 14 years after Greece banned smoking in indoor public places, it is not uncommon to see people light up in bars and clubs.
Ask HN: What did "computer geek" type people do before computers were invented?
(ycombinator.com)
As in the type of people who become computer/programming geeks<p>What did those type of people "nerd out on" as a hobby before computers were invented/accessible?
As in the type of people who become computer/programming geeks<p>What did those type of people "nerd out on" as a hobby before computers were invented/accessible?
From Squid Game to Blackpink, how South Korea became a culture powerhouse
(bbc.com)
South Korean pop bands like Blackpink are a big hit globally - and among the country's best-known cultural exports
South Korean pop bands like Blackpink are a big hit globally - and among the country's best-known cultural exports
Americans Consider Themselves 'Sober Curious' Beyond Dry January
(newsweek.com)
Millions of Americans Consider Themselves 'Sober Curious' Beyond Dry January
Millions of Americans Consider Themselves 'Sober Curious' Beyond Dry January
50 Years of the Rubik's Cube
(elpais.com)
In 1974, architecture professor Ernö Rubik invented a new tool to illustrate geometric concepts to his students at the Budapest School of Commercial Arts. Half a century later, the Rubik’s Cube has not only become one of the best-selling toys in history, but it has also inspired a global culture.
In 1974, architecture professor Ernö Rubik invented a new tool to illustrate geometric concepts to his students at the Budapest School of Commercial Arts. Half a century later, the Rubik’s Cube has not only become one of the best-selling toys in history, but it has also inspired a global culture.