What I’m Reading
February 1, 2022
What I’m Reading returns with a podcast gem that informs us on the costs of practicing journalism and shows the person behind the byline. The second read combines a lesson in history with one about the need for strong journalism. And finally, I found some science that teaches and entertains at the same time.
The Impact of Journalism on Journalists
To begin today’s recommendations, I have a listen to share. The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet is the show’s name.
In December of 2021, de Cadenet had photojournalist Lynsey Addario as a guest. Addario has covered everything from war to environmental issues and humanitarian issues and has been published, among others, in The New York Times and National Geographic.
The 40-minute conversation is as fascinating as it is insightful. It reveals the impact that life as a journalist can have on those that practice the profession. At the same time, it drives home the importance of strong journalism in our world and the passion that great journalists bring to the table.
The 40-odd minutes are time well spent. You learn how Addario manages to balance journalism and family life and how she copes with dangerous situations and the sadness and violence she’s witnessed.
Most importantly, you get a feeling for the person behind the lens.
History and Journalism
For the second read, I found an article, which demonstrates the need for robust journalism in this world. I believe that is true for all parts of society, but the focus that this article pulls is the area of health and the environment.
Bill Kovarik, a communications professor at Radford University, writes about leaded gasoline in a piece for The Conversion called “A century of tragedy: How the car and gas industry knew about the health risks of leaded fuel but sold it for 100 years anyway.”
The 100th anniversary of the introduction of leaded gasoline brought Kovarik to show the role that activists, journalists, the auto industry, and health regulators played in the rise and fall of leaded gasoline.
It’s a really interesting history read that includes context on lead and its dangers. Kovarik details the attempts at regulating the product after early casualties amongst workers and how the industry fought back.
You also learn how the fight over leaded gasoline continued. Would you be surprised that one country banned leaded gasoline as late as last year?
I highly recommend this article, for it combines a history lesson with journalism insights.
An Enjoyable Science Read
Today’s final read is called “Why the [expletive] can’t we travel back in time?”. I’m not a science guy, but I enjoy mixing science reads into my reading mix to keep learning. And articles like this from Ars Technica writer and astrophysicist Paul Sutter, I find entertaining and educational at the same time.
While I certainly won’t claim to intellectual understand every argument to the last word, I picked up a few things and had a good time reading something that differs from my usual news diet.
It’s a bit of lighthearted science that looks at the (im-)possibility of time travel, introduces us to entropy, and pairs nicely with philosophical conundrums everyone familiar with time travel stories from the Star Trek universe might enjoy.
Interestingly, Sutter has also been a consultant on the TV show Star Trek Discovery.
Scientist or not, we all can do with a healthy interest in the world of science. So go ahead and start with this read.
With that, I’ll leave you to your readings and hope you’ve found something of value today. I have new pictures for you on Thursday. Until then, happy reading and listening.
