Navigating a world in flux demands some understanding of who you really are, and some of my favorite pieces from this year speak to that need.
Chris Colin
‘You’re Going to Lose Your Mind’: My Three-Day Retreat in Total Darkness
“The author spent days in a room with no light. Who would he be when he emerged?”
That Dropped Call With Customer Service? It Was on Purpose.
“Endless wait times and excessive procedural fuss—it’s all part of a tactic called ‘sludge.'”
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
This week we’re recommending stories by Zarlasht Halaimzai, Gloria Liu, E. Jean Carroll, Amy Margolis, and Chris Colin.
San Francisco’s 24-Hour Diner Stops the Cosmic Clock
“. . .but then there it is: a strikingly red building, a flash of weathered neon, an improbable promise issued since 1970. We Never Close.”
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
This week we are showcasing pieces from Shoshana Walter, Stephen Lurie, Guy D. Middleton, Katherine LaGrave, and Chris Colin.
Meet the Psychedelic Boom’s First Responders
“With more tripping will come more psychic terror. A new movement of volunteers will guide you through your brain melt.”
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
This week, we’re sharing stories from Diana Moskovitz, Kathryn Ivey, Katherine Laidlaw, Chris Colin, and Josh Dzieza.
Hawai‘i Is Not Our Playground
“To most outsiders, Hawai‘i is defined by the lei-draped, aloha-dispensing, honeymooner-welcoming image of the place. There’s no room for another version to emerge.”
Russian River Roulette
Even when you’re already bracing for a negative response, no one expects an attack golfer.
