Loyal Readers, good morning! Happy Thursday to you. After last night’s hugely successful HHH #6 (thank you for coming!), I scurried home to put the finishing touches on today’s issue. This week’s lead article focuses on people who believe the world is flat. (Breathe deeply when you read this o
Loyal Readers, good morning! Happy Thursday to you. After last night’s hugely successful HHH #6 (thank you for coming!), I scurried home to put the finishing touches on today’s issue. This week’s lead article focuses on people who believe the world is flat. (Breathe deeply when you read this one.) Then enjoy two pieces about women fighting against sexual abuse and gun culture. Up last today is a reminder for us not to adhere too strongly to what we think we believe. It’s time to dive in.
Looking for Life on a Flat Earth
It’s no longer enough to be a birther, or to believe Sandy Hook was a false flag, or to claim 9/11 was an inside job, or to question the moon landing. Now you have to believe the Earth is flat. Some Americans do. Alan Burdick explores why flat-Earthers believe in the “mother of all conspiracies.” He writes, “If we can agree on anything anymore, it’s that we live in a post-truth era. Facts are no longer correct or incorrect; everything is potentially true unless it’s disagreeable, in which case it’s fake.” (21 min)
LaDonna | This American Life
The media has not adequately reported on the voices of women of color and their contributions to the #MeToo Movement. This podcast episode is a must-listen, even if you’re not a big fan of podcasts. It features LaDonna Powell and her horrific experiences working as a security guard for Allied Universal at John F. Kennedy Airport. Disgusted by the sexual harassment and abuse, Ms. Powell takes it upon herself to fix the problem. (65 min)
How to Challenge Gun Culture in a Town in Wyoming
Moriah Engdahl is 16 years old and lives in Gillette, Wyo., with her dad, who likes guns and thinks the government wants to take them away. Most people in Gillette — popular slogan: “Consider Everyone Armed” — share his views. This is the story of a young woman who finds her voice in a community far different and far away from Parkland. (18 min)
Educators, Let’s Please Stop Talking About the 30 Million Word Gap
Educators like believing in studies. There’s the marshmallow test, for instance, and the 10,000 Hour Rule. This article uncovers the problems with the assertion that poor children hear 30 million fewer words before age 3 than their middle class peers. Among them: It likely isn’t true. Plus, even if it is true, does focusing on a “gap” help children, or rather perpetuate deficit thinking? (9 min)
Thank you for reading (and listening to) The Highlighter #146! Tell me what you thought by using the thumbs below. Also, let’s welcome new subscribers Mike, Kal, and Tom! If you like reading this newsletter, please forward it to someone who might like it, too. If you think the newsletter is not your cup of tea, please unsubscribe. Also, please submit pet photos here and articles here. I’ll see you back here next Thursday at 9:10 am. Have a great week!
Join the conversation