Novel looks at the Rust Belt, composed by an American doctor
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Who Are the Uyghurs? A Quick Introduction
It’s not often that a nondescript region in Asia with a population density of 40 per square mile makes the

Chinese Demographics in 10 Numbers
As a standard American who goes to work, comes home, sleeps, and repeats, I’ve been told that China should be

The Rules of Curling: A Spectator’s Guide
Every four years during the Winter Olympics, you look up the rules of curling, only to promptly forget them. Here

10 Quick Facts About Beijing
After writing about Detroit and Rochester, NY, I figured it was time to up my game. And I opted to

What Is Black History Month?
Underneath the shine of every country’s polished exterior lies a dark and not-so-proud history, often defined by inequity. One way

The Winter Olympics in 10 Numbers
C’est un grand plaisir d’écrire sur les Jeux olympiques d’hiver. I didn’t want to run afoul of the International Olympic

What Is 5G? The 5th-Grade Answer
You’ve heard a ton about 5G. By this point, you’re thinking you should get a 5G-capable device and then throw

What Is Silicon? 10 Things You Should Know
I’m not going to say it’s oxygen, but silicon has become a major player in our lives. What exactly is

Russian Trivia for the American
I’m not going to lie—most of my knowledge about Russia comes from Rocky IV. Okay, it’s maybe not that bad,

10 Facts About Ukraine for the Non-Ukrainian
When you live in the US, you don’t hear much about other countries. That is, unless something bad could happen,

Why LeBron James Chose Syracuse
LeBron James, by text, is a very candid man. The following thread has been abridged for the sake of brevity.*

What Parenting Taught Me About the Rust Belt
I’m no parenting guru. In fact, about a decade from now, I’ll find out how I f****d it up royally.

I Hate You IKEA—but Thank You
Nostalgia, they say, comes with rose-colored glasses. But in the case of IKEA, it can also come with nausea—and not

How The Odyssey Saved Rochester, NY
You know The Odyssey—that Christopher Nolan film with Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway. And you know Rochester, NY—that rusty town

Why Spain Is Actually Playing Italy
Don’t fall for the hype about Spain playing Argentina. (Or, if you’re reading this after July 19, 2026, I hope

Confessions of a Rust Belt Addict
The Rust Belt addict, mercifully, is not always found with a needle in his arm. The addicted, I’ve learned, get

How Being a Writer Ruined the World Cup
Being a writer, as you must know by now, is a dream. By that, I mean it’s a nightmare, something

Thank You, European, for Being So Damn Smart
Dear European, I know you’re smarter than me. How do I know? Because you tell me. Anyway, I’ve come across

These World Cup Population Numbers Will Blow Your Mind
World Cup population numbers are for the worldly—and the weirdly obsessive. Without formally committing to either category, I’ve created this
I’m Officially an Idiot
On June 26, 2026, it became official—I’m an idiot. I’d like to thank my fellow human beings—without you, I would


