Novel looks at the Rust Belt, composed by an American doctor
Get my free weekly newsletter, The Friday Mix
Latest Articles

The Shortest William Shakespeare Biography Ever
Let’s start with a couple disclaimers. First, I wouldn’t refer to this biography as the official, authorized one. Second, there

What Determines Your Skin Color? It’s No Big Deal
I previously wrestled with the confusing terminology of the times in my article about the meaning of Latinx. Now I

What Is the EPL? The Quick Answer
Part of pretending to be a cultured American is embracing the culture of the world. This sport where they kick

World Series History: The 10 Key Numbers
Does anyone watch baseball anymore? Just in case, I’ve whipped together some super quick World Series history. As a reminder,

Antarctica Facts: 10 to Get You Started
When you live in a cold-weather climate, you get used to being judged by people who live closer to the

What Are the Best Songs of All Time? These 10
In September 2021, Rolling Stone released an update of its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It’s undoubtedly a fun

Rochester, NY, Captured in 10 Numbers
When you have a general knowledge website, you reserve the right to occasionally go a little esoteric. And that’s what

What Is Diwali Celebrating? It Depends
Diwali is a pretty big deal. Think Christmas (gift giving), the Fourth of July (fireworks), Halloween (a lot of sugar),

The Meaning of Halloween? Snickers and Twix!
Let’s start by saying this—Snickers, Twix, Kit Kat, and Whatchamacallit are undoubtedly the best. If you want to throw in

Brief Chinese History (Like Really Brief)
We felt kind of guilty when, several months ago, we only devoted seven facts to China. As such, we plan

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


