Desmond Tutu was cool even before Pope Francis came along. This piece from the Financial Times is an intriguing look at the South African political/spiritual leader who is recognized by Jews and Gentiles alike as one of the world’s greatest moral authorities. From apartheid to Syria, Mandela to the Dali Lama, Tutu has a lot to offer. And we should listen.
Tutu liked to contrast the western with the African idea of what it means to be human by setting Descartes’ “I think therefore I am” against the southern African tradition of ubuntu, which loosely means “a person is a person through other people”.
Here’s an inspiring story in the LA Times about a 93 year old woman who still works as a riveter at an airplane factory — the same job she took in 1942 when the factory men were off to war and the country’s women entered the workforce en masse. A real life Rosie the Riveter.
“14 oddball reasons your not dead yet” explains some of the bizarre inventions, people and trends that save lives, but aren’t appreciated for it. Things like cotton, shoes and the residents of Farmington, Mass. have truly been lifesavers. They’ve contributed to the doubling of the average life expectancy in this country in the last century. Cool stuff. Kind of Freakonomics meets Malcolm Gladwell meets the History Channel.
John Green is a writer and a video blogger. Here’s a really informative bit about American healthcare. It may clear up some misconceptions and explain some of the complication. An excellent primer.
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