Hello, and welcome to another edition of Kat’s Kable! This has been a busy week, so there are only 8 pieces and less of a writeup for each. Next week will be back to the usual.
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Why Facts Don’t Change Our Minds - A New Yorker piece that talks about why our inherent biases bias us, and why we cannot change our minds in the fact of irrefutable evidence. Sounds familiar?
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Why Nothing Works Anymore - Technology has changed our life, but is it for the worse overall?
Most of these failures don’t seem like failures, because users have so internalized their methods that they apologize for them in advance. The best defense against instability is to rationalize uncertainty as intentional—and even desirable.
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Art Market vs. Predator - This is about Stefan Simchowitz, the man who has created plenty of trouble and turmoil in the art market lately. His moves are making or breaking modern artists and causing irritation to collectors as well.
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Meet The Man Who Stopped Thousands Of People Becoming HIV-Positive - Great story!
“I knew I was doing something of substance, but it’s really overwhelming.” In an exclusive interview with BuzzFeed News, Greg Owen reveals the story behind Britain’s largest ever drop in HIV transmissions.
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Can the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker Be Found in Cuba? - Beautiful, beautiful essay. Great writing, great photos. The amount of pains the ornithologist and his company go to to find the elusive bird is admirable and inspiring.
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Searching for Mr.Grass - The internet is going gaga about the man who is streaming a view of the grass in front of his house. This is an interview with him. Interesting.
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Military Packing Secrets That Will Make You a Better Traveler - Haha, this may not be along the lines of what Kat’s Kable usually is, but this is important information nonetheless.
What did the game offer that the rest of the world could not? To begin with, games make sense, unlike life: As with all sports, digital or analog, there are ground rules that determine success (rules that, unlike those in society, are clear to all). The purpose of a game, within it, unlike in society, is directly recognized and never discounted. You are always a protagonist: Unlike with film and television, where one has to watch the acts of others, in games, one is an agent within it. And unlike someone playing sports, one no longer has to leave the house to compete, explore, commune, exercise agency, or be happy, and the game possesses the potential to let one do all of these at once.