In an effort to be happy
I’m trying a new thing. It’s both personal and for Latterly readers. Something to counteract all the cynicism that comes at us digitally. Every Monday, we’re going to publish something happy that will help you live better. The reason is I’m pretty sure all the hate, sadness and snark online is harming us in the real world. (Or maybe I’m just hypersensitive because I watched the season three pilot of Black Mirror last night.)
So here’s the first one we published yesterday. It’s a short film. Watch it. It’ll be good for your lungs or blood pressure or whatever.
Here’s what’s interesting in the world since I last wrote:
- Mysterious misanthropes launched an attack on some of the internet’s most important websites using household devices like baby monitors.
- Donald Trump isn’t big on introspection: “I don’t like to analyze myself because I might not like what I see.” Most Americans can confirm he would not, as polls suggest a Hillary Clinton landslide. (Full disclosure: I voted for her yesterday.)
- The heir to Hugo Chavez turned the corner and became a dictator by invalidating a democratic process to have him recalled for ruining the country. Some people are saying the only way to stop Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro now is by force.
And here are the stories we’re following at Latterly:
- Vladimir Putin is getting more bold. Egged on by Trump’s insistence the U.S. election is rigged, he’s going to try to monitor it. This sharp analysis is by our new Mali-based contributor, Richie Koch.
- South Africa is leaving the International Criminal Court because it wants to legally be a haven for genocide perpetrators. (It had to do so illegally in the past.)
- And Laura Kasinof points out that journalists’ coverage of refugees is often through the lens of what the journalists and editors think is important. But refugees usually have other problems.
We’re getting there. Keep up the great work, everyone.
Ben
PS. Join us if you can, and we’ll send you a copy of Laura’s book about the Arab Spring in Yemen. We’re only going to be offering this a couple more weeks.
