Magazine Posts

The Great Alcohol Health Flip-Flop Isn’t That Hard to Understand—if You Know Who Was Behind It More at Slate Magazine ➜

California farmers are finding a new way to recharge aquifers. They are utilizing Atmospheric Rivers, which are long bands of water vapor that move in the atmosphere, to help get the job done. This method is more efficient, it helps restore ecosystems t and it may be a more sustainable solution. More at Reasons to be Cheerful ➜

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22 since 1970, to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It is an important reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting the planet. Together, we can create a more sustainable future for ourselves and for generations to come. 
Credit for the Earth Day idea goes to Gaylord Nelson, an American politician from Wisconsin and leading figure in the fight against environmental degradation and social injustice. "It may have been Gaylord Nelson’s idea, but American citizens made it happen”. Rachel Carson, a marine biologist and best-selling author provided the spark for this movement with the 1962 publication of her book, "Silent Spring" which showed the devastating effects of modern pesticides on the natural world. Read more about the origin of Earth Day

Tom Turcich set out on a seven-year journey to find the meaning of life. He walked around the world, visiting over 60 countries and covering almost 40,000 miles. Along the way, he talked to people about their beliefs, cultures, and values. He found that people's answers to the meaning of life varied greatly, from "finding joy in the everyday" to "serving others". He also learned the importance of connection and breaking down the barriers between people. Despite the hard times and loneliness, Tom found fulfillment and joy on his journey. He made lifelong connections, found appreciation for the world, More at the Guardian ➜

"Back 40 years ago the tulip fields of Skagit Valley looked like a Mondrian abstract, geometrically colorful grids laid out with Mt. Baker in the background, a photographer’s wetdream. A few folks rolled up from the cities, braving the weather and us locals, but not so many the farmers took notice. Like a lot of innocent beauty in this world, the Chamber of Commerce decided to, well, what we refer to today as ‘monetize’ those candy colored flowers. Organize, advertise, centralize — monetize! The town’s surrounding the fertile fields in the Skagit floodplain joined forces, hoping the next flood would be human"..... Read more

~ Missouri House Republicans voted to defund all of the state’s public libraries, in a proposed $45.6 billion state budget that will soon move to a vote in the GOP-controlled state Senate.

~ Texas county weighs closing local library after federal judge orders banned books returned to circulation

~ An 'absurd' law will put the Louisville shooter's gun back on sale, mayor says

"Diet-related chronic diseases have reached a critical juncture in the U.S" ,,,. "Research has examined how ultraprocessed foods can contribute to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and mood disorders. A healthier diet is one way to use food as medicine".......... Read full article. 

”Approximately one-third of the American diet, including many fruits, vegetables and nuts, relies on bees for pollination...."Recent studies indicate that “Bees are self-aware, they’re sentient, and they possibly have a primitive form of consciousness", More at the Guardian ➜

"Usually banks, like all companies, fail after a prolonged period of lackluster performance. But SVB, the nation’s 16th-largest bank, had been stable and highly profitable just a few months before, having earned about US$1.5 billion in profits in the last quarter of 2022. However, financial history is filled with examples of seemingly stable and profitable banks that unexpectedly failed".... Read more

"When a stubborn pain in Nick van Terheyden’s bones would not subside, his doctor had a hunch what was wrong. Without enough vitamin D in the blood, the body will pull that vital nutrient from the bones. Left untreated, a vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis. A blood test in the fall of 2021 confirmed the doctor’s diagnosis, and van Terheyden expected his company’s insurance plan, managed by Cigna, to cover the cost of the bloodwork. Instead, Cigna sent van Terheyden a letter explaining that it would not pay for the $350 test because it was not “medically necessary.”. ... Read more at ProPublica

 "Friendship is the sunshine of life — the quiet radiance that makes our lives not only livable but worth living. (This is why we must use the utmost care in how we wield the word friend".... Read more at the Marginalian

“Dark money” refers to spending meant to influence political outcomes where the source of the money is not disclosed. Here’s how dark money makes its way into elections:" Read more at OpenSecrets