Novel looks at the Rust Belt, composed by an American doctor
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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 Mother’s Day? (For the Non-Mother)
If you’re a mother, you really don’t need this question answered. For you, Mother’s Day is formal recognition of the
The Swahili Language: 10 Facts to Make You Look Smart
To date, I’ve featured languages like Spanish, French, German, and English. While these are not mutually intelligible, they’re all part
The English Language in 10 Key Numbers
The conditions have been perfect for English to flourish. When you take one English-speaking country that gets a century named
The British Monarchy in Less Than 1000 Words
In 1776, the American colonies declared independence from King George III and his Kingdom of Great Britain. Eleven years later,
10 Facts About the United Kingdom You Can’t Miss
You’re probably thinking that if China and India only get seven facts each, the United Kingdom deserves maybe three. Giving
What is Grunge Music? Beyond the Flannel
When people hear that music can make you smarter, they usually start thinking about Mozart or Beethoven or Coltrane. My
What is Pop Music? Your Practical Guide
Whether you like it or not, you listen to it all the time. Because it’s everywhere. Ariana Grande. Taylor Swift.
7 Facts About India You Have to Know
Since I’m in the habit of summarizing massive, ancient countries in a meager 7 facts, I figured I’d do the
Sports Betting Basics Made Super Easy
Some people watch sports to marvel at high-level athleticism. Others enjoy the spirit of competition. For some, it’s all about
What Causes Heart Disease? A Brief Primer
When it comes to the human body, it’s tough to argue with the critical importance of the heart. As the