This history & current state of profanity →
I don’t think I swear that much, and I definitely still notice when I do. I don’t think I’ll ever change much in either of these regards. I also don’t think I’ve noticed my friends & colleagues swearing more than they used to. So, I’m going to agree to side with those in the article that suggest we’re not actually swearing more, it’s just the words we use when we do swear that have changed.
That said, there is no better swearword, then & now, than the F word. I’ll sometimes say the German “Scheiße” when in public, but when it needs to count, and the emotions are thick, fuck if I’m not going to say Fuck.
A good summary article on the great AllTrails hiking app →
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/31/style/alltrails.html
I’ve used the AllTrails app many, many times, and can vouch for how great it is for both planning, and for when you’re actually on the trail. If you hike lots in remote areas, it’s also worth it to pay for AllTrails+ so you can download & access maps offline.
I was on the Camino de Santiago at this time a year ago, so have been thinking about walking & hiking a lot. The app I used to help me on that is called Buen Camino, and I definitely recommend that as well, especially since it was created & is maintained by a solopreneur, just like me
Heat maps for different TV show viewership around the US →
https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/1bu6laf/where_tv_shows_are_more_popular_in_the_us/
Pretty cool what this shows about the demographics of both the shows AND the regions. It also seems to show that the US has geographic memory, much as in other parts of the world.
A podcast about the history of tipping in the US →
https://www.npr.org/2024/04/04/1198908679/the-land-of-the-fee-throwback-04-04-2024
This podcast starts in Europe in the 17th century and doesn’t let up until the present day, where we find ourselves still trying to figure out how to pay some service workers. It’s especially confusing here in DC, but at least it’s trying to do something about it.
Also, “Throughline” is a great podcast, and it’s worth your time to subscribe & listen to it.
An in-depth, map-based look at the areas & terrain the solar eclipse totality will be following across the US on Monday 8-Apr-2024 →
https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/interactive/2024/map-totality-solar-eclipse-locations/
Most of the US won’t actually be able to see the total eclipse, so this scroll-through article is perhaps a better way to experience it.
Snack Pantry→ 