I have not always been a Peter Thiel fan — the PayPal founder and Facebook investor’s politics and ideas are complicated and sometimes they stem from what I would consider psychological projections (see: affirmative action, although even in that case I totally agree with his embracing a…

There’s a funny little profile of New York City’s mayor in the February Esquire, though it’s not online. So, in it, Mike Bloomberg goes to Hong Kong, and he takes along Jon Liu, the comptroller, and Esquire is all like, why did he invite you, and Jon Liu’s all, “I’m sure he has his…

New York Observer revolving door update, for the two people playing along at home: This week alone, one straight man out — but one woman and one gay hired! Don’t everyone get all excited at once. Back to your desks!

Reynolds Price, 1933–2011

Reynolds Price, whom the Times calls “one of the most important voices in modern Southern fiction,” has died. His…

Have you ever wondered why you can’t tickle yourself? Of course you have! Scholars have spent entire careers dedicating themselves to that very conundrum. Anyway, here’s your answer. Makes sense to me! [Via]

More data for the “celebrity is everything in modern life” bonfire: Rahm Emanuel is polling at 44% for next month’s mayoral election in Chicago. This is after he got fully shamed by all the other candidates at a meeting with the Chicago Tribune…

I’m melting, this is heaven, hooray, so wonderful: here is the trailer for Bill Cunningham: New York, a full-length documentary about New York City’s Greatest New York City Resident. This is perhaps the best thing to happen ever. (via)

What We Learned This Week

• How our Pentecostal Congress grows