China's internet is often described in extremes. Either it's a total all-encompassing surveillance state, or a perfect utopia where kids only see videos of science projects. These exaggerated depictions help nobody, except pundits trying to make a point

Thrilled to be named a finalist for a The Society of Publishers in Asia award in explanatory reporting for my piece on dysfunction at the WTO. Especially grateful to Chloe Fox for her brilliant editing and the support from David Barboza and the rest of the team The Wire China.

thewirechina.com/2023/08/13/sid…

From the intro to Helen Vendler’s essay collection “The Ocean, the Bird, and the Scholar”

On its homepage, the The New York Times website currently has four (4) prominently-displayed pieces about American college protests and zero (0) pieces about the nearly 300 bodies (some with their hands and feet bound) found in a mass grave at a hospital in southern Gaza.

Benjamin H. Bradlow testament to both our impressive ability to turn everything into a culture war and our myopia in preferring to make sense of the world in such ways

I don't want to fully theorize this yet, but it is kind of weird that the biggest story in the US about Israel / Palestine is about college campuses when there are multiple mass graves being uncovered and constant bombardment in Gaza right now ('as we tweet').

my writer mentor said that we should consider the possibility of writing for our most generous readers, our most attentive & thorough readers

& I’ve loved that advice

The media seemed to disagree on whether Colbert's statement on his Kate Middleton jokes was an apology.

My take: it wasn't. Instead, what he said was more interesting and honest. Read about it in my latest column here: mcsweeneys.net/articles/steph…

The 'Third Place' is dying. You know, the place besides your home and work where you can hang out with your friends and family. This is a Starbucks near me that just renovated recently. The big change: No more seats! Take your coffee and get out.

5/ Americans are finding WAY less connection today. Marriage is happening later, time with friends is rapidly decreasing, smart phones are facilitating our withdrawal.

This hasn't happened by accident. Public policy has made it harder for us to connect. tpr.org/bioscience-med…

A multi-ethnic coalition of immigrant women, led by Chinese women, are HUNGER STRIKING to end 24 hr workdays for home care workers in NYC.

New Yorkers, come support, they'll be in front of City Hall through the week! nomore24.org

Adrienne Adams Pass #NoMore24 now!

Three comedians w̶a̶l̶k̶ ̶i̶n̶t̶o̶ ̶a̶ ̶b̶a̶r̶ try to apologize. What's the punchline?

My latest on Shane, Louis, Dan, and their spectrum of sorrys in Timothy McSweeney: mcsweeneys.net/articles/three…

A majority of Asian Americans living in New York City have altered aspects of their lives, like not taking public transit or speaking in their native tongue, to prevent being the target of an anti-Asian incident, according to a new study. nbcnews.com/news/us-news/a…

For reasons I don't fully understand, the tailoring scene—and really the fashion scene in general—is better in East Asia (and mostly South Korea and Japan) than in the US as a whole. There are more interesting shops, tailors, and shoemakers. Also, there are more hobbyists.

Heartbreaking but essential reading.

The team of Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó reacting to the Oscar nomination for best documentary short film. At a combined 182 years of age, Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó are the subjects of the film.

Latest interview with Nieman Fellow '24 Annie Jieping Zhang on a turbulent 2023, and how to rebuild life and find our narratives as Chinese diaspora

theinitium.com/article/202301…

On the Long, Lonely Apprenticeship of the #Writing Life by Kayla Min Andrews
lithub.com/on-the-long-lo… via Literary Hub