Culture & Science
The Joy of Watching Marie Kondo Pack a Suitcase.
Sparking joy is part of it. Apartment Therapy recently asked Marie Kondo how to pack a suitcase, and while it’s not the most mind-blowing video we’ve ever seen, it did spark joy in revisiting packing best practices.
The Number of Countries Younger Than You Is Astounding
Swirled recently declared that there have been more new countries created longer than you’ve been alive. Technically, though, that depends on how long you’ve been alive.
The WhatsApp Privacy Settings That Everyone Needs To Check
WhatsApp’s CEO Jay Koum is leaving Facebook. He’s essentially willing to step away from $1 billion1 over privacy issues, so maybe look its time to look into what WhatsApp has on you.
Lorde’s “Perfect Places” Music Video Is Out
Because Lorde is perfect, the hook is insane, the perfect riff on every travel trope, a perfect existential representation of your f*cked up life and a clear manifestation of all those deep-seated psychological issues that arise as summer grinds to a halt, because nothing is perfect and never will be AND NO ONE ESCAPES. Basically, completely perfect.
Check Out Air Zealand’s Best Safety Videos
Air New Zealand has had quite the reputation for grandiose safety videos. Um, not sure how we are feeling about the Katie Holmes and Cuba Gooding, Jr. one though.
The Other Side: When Tourists Invade My Hometown Every Summer
Ed’s NoteMap Happy has always been about perspectives, and in anticipation of Fourth of July weekend, we’re showcasing a piece from staffer Alisha Steindecker, who is a Hamptons native. After all, the escapes are always a reality for someone else.
A few days ago, a man riding the Hampton Jitney from Manhattan asked me, “People actually live here?” Then he added, smirking, “Wow, what’s that like?”
Should Destination Suggestions Be Taken With a Grain of Salt?
Right around this time of year, everyone from The New York Times to AFAR puts out their annual guide on where to go, what’s hot and what’s not. (Beautiful photography included, of course.)
This Iconic Beach Cliff Jumping Photo Is Creating a Spike in Tourist Deaths
For all that broadcast journalism is worth—not much these days?—Inside Edition recently did a fascinating segment on how there’s been a surge in tourist deaths… all because people are absolutely obsessed with recreating that perfect cliff-jumping shot for Insta.
Essential David Foster Wallace Reading for the Summer Cruising Season
Instead of pretending you read Infinite Jest and The Pale King, this should fulfill the summer reading criteria for most people.1
Find Out What Happens to Illegal Food After It’s Confiscated
I think I can see tears in her eyes she pulls out the Spanish salami. In Ellie Scaffa’s own words:
The grinder is great, sometimes I go home with a little bit of mango juice and passion juice on, it’s just having fun, the water’s splashing in your face… but this is what we have to do to protect American agriculture, it’s part of our job.
