A Germaphobe’s Guide to Buying a Metrocard

Writer and illustrator Aaron Reiss uses his germaphobia as a lens to explore why transit ticket kiosks work the way they do.

Source: Next City
Published: Jan 19, 2015
Length: 10 minutes (2,679 words)

The Weird Racial Politics of Online Dating

In the past two decades American attitudes toward interracial dating have taken an enormous step forward, but there remains a disconnect “between what people think is ‘acceptable’ when it comes to dating versus what they actually do themselves.” Online dating sites like Tinder and OKCupid, which give researchers a new window into how people interact with potential romantic partners, not only offer new insight into this disconnect, they also might just change the status quo.

Source: The Kernel
Published: Jan 18, 2015
Length: 9 minutes (2,379 words)

Watching Willie’s Back

“Mess with Willie Nelson and the next thing you’ll see is the wrong end of a gun held by the Devil himself, Robert Paul English.” A profile of Paul English, Willie Nelson’s friend, drummer, and protector.

Source: Oxford American
Published: Jan 12, 2015
Length: 27 minutes (6,931 words)

The Night New York Avoided a Riot

In the days following Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, more than 100 cities experienced significant civil disturbance. In New York, everyone expected riots but they never came to pass, in large part because of the actions of the city’s then mayor, John Lindsay.

Author: Clay Risen
Published: Jan 16, 2009
Length: 8 minutes (2,215 words)

Interview: Motown’s Chief Engineer

Russ Terrana, who worked on songs like The Jackson 5’s “ABC” and Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours,” reflects on what made Berry Gordy’s music label such a creative force.

Author: Rob Bisel
Source: Tape Op
Published: Jan 19, 2015
Length: 19 minutes (4,797 words)

The Radical Paradox of Martin Luther King’s Devotion to Nonviolence

A conversation with King biographer Taylor Branch about the civil rights leader’s true legacy.

Source: Smithsonian
Published: Jan 1, 2015
Length: 15 minutes (3,954 words)

Seven Stories for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Here are seven stories about (or by) Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., exploring different facets of his life and legacy.

Author: Julia Wick
Source: Longreads
Published: Jan 19, 2015

A Wild Goose Chase

Most of the foie gras consumed by diners is typically created through the process of gavage—force-feeding geese or ducks. Eater’s Wyatt Williams follows a chicken farmer in Georgia named Brandon Chonko who hopes he can produce “ethical foie gras” to support his family.

Source: Eater
Published: Jan 14, 2015
Length: 26 minutes (6,530 words)

Committed: Stories About Stays in Psychiatric Facilities

In this week’s list, I wanted to share the experiences of those committed—voluntarily or not—to a psychiatric facility.

Source: Longreads
Published: Jan 18, 2015

The Jet Set Life of Karl Lagerfeld’s Favorite Male Model — for Now

A profile of model Brad Kroenig, close friend and muse to designer Karl Lagerfeld, as he jets from his young son’s little league practice in suburban New Jersey to fashion shows in Dubai.

Published: Jan 17, 2015
Length: 21 minutes (5,400 words)