Novel looks at the Rust Belt, composed by an American doctor
Get my free weekly newsletter, The Friday Mix
Latest Articles
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
What Is Manga?
I’ve been told that in the age of AI, writing blog posts that answer basic questions is a complete waste
10 Hints You Didn’t Go to Harvard
Not everyone goes to Harvard. Here are 10 clues that you definitely didn’t. 10 You continue to insist that
The Indian Diaspora: It’s Everywhere!
It took me a few decades to realize I had problems. Sure, I look Indian. But I speak English with
Pakistan: A Quick 10-Number Portrait
If you live in the United States, Pakistan is one of those places you never hear about unless a death-involving
20 Songs About Summer (You Already Know)
Up here near Canada, the non-winter is transient. In order to make it seem longer, locals can often be heard
5 Beach Reads for the Non-Beachy Types
Does summer make you pine for winter? Do seaside resorts play second fiddle to that dank coffee shop you hang
New Zealand: The 10 Numbers You Should Know
Besides rugby and proximity to Australia, Americans don’t know a ton about New Zealand. These 10 numbers will make you
The National Women’s Hall of Fame: It’s a Place
Upstate New York is no tourist magnet. Unless, of course, the tourist and magnet are of the same pole, but
The Women’s World Cup in 10 Numbers
These 10 numbers will help you make sense of the Women’s World Cup. (That’s soccer by the way.) 1991
Speed Reading: An Ultra-Quick Primer
Reading is so passé. But speed reading—actually, it became a thing in the 1950s. So passé as well. But as