Steve Kelman on Politics, Culture, and Life, 1.5.24
Steve Kelman, Harvard Kennedy School prof, moderate Dem, pro free speech/anti cancel culture, pro tax rich, pro-Israel. Research improving gov performance, China interest. Blog reprints Facebook posts
Living longer
I have been looking through a book called Lifespan about how one can live longer. The last chapter has some practical suggestions for things people can do, and I plan to follow two of them. There are apparently longevity benefits from fasting, and the author says he skips lunch every day. The other is there is apparently good evidence of not only the heart health benefits of red wine but also the longevity benefits.
Twitter value plummets under Musk
According to Fidelity, since Musk took over Twitter, the company's value has declined by 71%.
Wapo corrects errors in Israel-Hamas stories
The daily newsletter Jewish Insider has a report that the Washington Post has had to withdraw a number of contentions about the Israel-Hamas war that originally appeared in the newspaper. The newsletter notes that the coverage in The Times has Included strong criticisms of Hamas while also talking about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Chinese “sunbelt” and “snowbirds”
The Beijing Review has an article on seniors moving to warmer southern Chinese provinces. Interestingly, the uses the words "snowbirds" and " article sunbelt."
Dementia at 70?
There is a discussion in the book I am reading on William Donovan, the first head of the CIA, that he showed increasing signs of dementia starting around the age of 70.
“On the rocks” in quotation marks
The first James Bond novel, published in 1953, puts the expression "on the rocks" in quotation marks.
Café americano
I have heard the phrase cafe Americano many times but never knew exactly what it referred to. It turns out it is expresso diluted with water. Sweden, where coffee is quite strong, traditionally regarded US coffee as water.
Colorado Democratic activist anti-Semitic slur
The Forward reports on this new word in the Urban Dictionary, popular with young people. Those my age (hopefully younger folks have never heard this) will be reminded of the use of jew as a derogatory verb -- "he jewed me out of $10."
Xerox extinction?
Xerox Corporation is laying off 15% of its staff. Reading the article about this in The New York Times, I got the impression that this iconic company is on a slow path to extinction.
Murders in South Africa
A Swedish TV report from Soweto in South Africa featured a Swedish doctor working there who experienced more murders in a year than during his whole career in Sweden.
Taiwan presidential election
The Chinese media refers to the Taiwan presidential election as a "regional leadership election."
So do you plan to have a glass of red wine while skipping lunch?