First Derivative [55]
first Derivative [55]
March 25, 2018
How Genetics Is Changing Our Understanding of ‘Race’
by David Reich (NYT)
A very nuanced, measured take on how to navigate the coming conflicts between genetic science and our concept of race — TK
Extensive Data Shows Punishing Reach of Racism for Black Boys
by Emily Badger, Claire Cain Miller, Adam Pearce, and Kevin Quealy (NYT)
Accessible data journalism from NYT on a powerful study documenting and analyzing the socioeconomic divide across racial lines, reinforcing many conventional ideas and disproving some alternative explanations — TK
The Disappearance of Desire
by Sohrab Ahmari (Commentary)
Maybe controversial but I thought it was a compassionate, nuanced, and persuasive look at the relationship between gender and sexuality, one that is fairly absent in the mainstream. — TK
The Icarus Moment
by W. Ben Hunt Ph.D. (Epsilon Theory)
Another stimulating but difficult-to-characterize post from ET. How we live our lives through abstracted models (that have significant real consequences) to our detriment, via discussion of politics and finance, specifically unemployment numbers.—TK
Self-Driving Uber Car Kills Pedestrian in Arizona, Where Robots Roam
by Daisuke Wakabayashi (NYT)
The moment everyone expected, happened. A more technical breakdown here—TK
Meet Vaclav Smil, the man who has quietly shaped how the world thinks about energy
by Paul Voosen (Science)
American Adults Just Keep Getting Fatter
by Matt Richtel and Andrew Jacobs (NYT)
Not just domestic, but a strong global trend. Most likely attributable to diet—TK
What Does It Mean To Be an American?
by Leon Hadar (TAC)
“So I find amazing that in all the recent debate over immigration in the United States there is an almost complete absence of any serious discussion of what it means to be an American citizen today in terms of what it really means to be an American, period.”
How 88rising is Making a Place for Asians in Hip-Hop
by Hua Hsu (NYer)
The Battery Boost We’ve Been Waiting for Is Only a Few Years Out
by Christopher Mims (WSJ)
“The batteries that power our modern world — from phones to drones to electric cars — will soon experience something not heard of in years: Their capacity to store electricity will jump by double-digit percentages”
ABOUT fD
fD is a weekly newsletter focusing on signal insights and deep trends in ideas, technology, politics, economics, foreign affairs, culture, philosophy, and more. The goal is to deliver content and analyses that matter beyond the present moment.
I hope you enjoy. Questions and comments always welcome (just respond to this email)—TK