Novel looks at the Rust Belt, composed by an American doctor
Get my free weekly newsletter, The Friday Mix
Latest Articles
The History of Baseball in 10 Quick Numbers
When March Madness ends, there is absolutely no reason to get off the couch and start being useful. Because I
10 Facts About Doctors You Should Know
We might have mentioned that we have some insight into the world of doctoring. Which makes us not exactly an
What Is Whiskey Made Of? (Besides Alcohol)
You may be wondering why I have distilled the metropolitan experience down to the consumption of alcoholic beverages. And to
What Is St. Patrick’s Day? The Sober Answer
If you live in the US, you already know the answer. The occasion is an excuse to wear green, drink
10 Grammy Categories You Never Heard Of
The Grammy Awards are presented annually in the US in recognition of achievement in the music industry. Critics have labeled
What Is the NCAA? A Quick Overview
Every March, worker productivity in the US plummets as a result of the nearly three-week-long NCAA tournament. Expecting basketball fans
What Is March Madness? An American Tradition Explained
Only in America can someone look at a bunch of kids playing amateur basketball and figure out how to make
A History of the NBA in 10 Numbers
The US has an uncanny ability to follow sports that no one else cares about. American football is the most
10 Jobs Created by Technology That Might Confuse You
It’s pretty safe to say that technology has completely upended our lives. From having to pretend to understand artificial intelligence
What Is a Kilowatt Hour? The High-Energy Answer
The world of electricity can get a little confusing, especially for those of us who didn’t necessarily pay attention in
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