{"id":466,"date":"2017-12-06T13:33:34","date_gmt":"2017-12-06T17:33:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.aligncenter.org\/?p=466"},"modified":"2017-12-06T13:45:36","modified_gmt":"2017-12-06T17:45:36","slug":"newsletter-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aligncenter.org\/newsletter-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsletter #19"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"quitoWe start this issue off with\u00a0writings on a floating bookstore,\u00a0the recent success of indie booksellers, the mental health of coral reef researchers, and a new report showing that we are making a significant dent in the climate battle. Listen in on why the future of food is open source (and maybe put that mechanical engineering or data science degree to use in a new way), and take some time with a superb long read on why millennials are where they are (they weren’t born this way). Then we have a\u00a0fantasy fiction recommendation with ties to the Lord of the Rings, some extra good finds I’ve been diggin’ of late, and an\u00a0exercise of reflection. Enjoy!<\/p>\n

\u25e6 selected words<\/h1>\n

London’s Floating Bookstore Finds Success<\/a><\/h2>\n

Set on a 50-foot-long (15m) wooden boat in Regent's Canal near Granary Square lies Words on Water, London's only floating bookstore. Run by two book-loving friends in their fifties, the store has struggled since opening in 2010. The store has been squatting and moving to avoid the authorities, and once sank because a customer left an inlet open when using the bathroom. One day, tired of running, the two decided to tie up and stay put in a developing neighborhood. They'd discover an invisible community of supporters and authors that helped them lobby to keep the permanent berth. The two owners now make enough to be satisfied with the biggest perk of all — an unlimited supply of books and conversation.
\nnytimes.com (8min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Despite Amazon, Independent Bookstores Thrive<\/a><\/h2>\n

Between 2009 and 2015, the American Booksellers Association (ABA) reported a surprising stat amongst independent booksellers— a 35% growth in the number of stores nationwide, from 1,651 to 2,227. Assistant Professor of Business at Harvard, Ryan Raffaeli, sought to understand how indie sellers haven't just survived, but are thriving in the face of competition from the Amazon behemoth. The keys to the renaissance? Three C's: community, curation, and convening.
\nHarvard Business School (3min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

When Everything You Know is Dying<\/a><\/h2>\n

The unprecedented collapse of coral reefs around the world will have unending consequences. It's estimated 450 million people rely on reefs for tourism revenue, food, and protection against storms. In addition to the enormous global impact, there's a huge personal cost amongst the coral researchers who now face a world without the very thing they've studied their whole lives. One researcher reflects, "How do you get up and go to work every day when every day brings fresh news of loss? When everything you are working to save is collapsing, how do you stop yourself from collapsing, too? Maybe everything isn’t going to be fine, after all. Maybe we can’t do this." Science writer Ed Yong talks with those closest to the matter and explores where we can go from here.
\ntheatlantic.com (7min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The Largest Source of Pollution<\/a><\/h2>\n

Behind the ominous clickbait headline, "America Crowns a New Pollution King", two charts from the U.S. Energy Administration jump out. The first shows transportation emissions (measured in tons of CO2) have leveling out, while emissions from electricity dropped dramatically due to a switch from coal and increased use of natural gas, solar, and wind. The second chart predicts electric cars will account for more than half of all new cars worldwide within twenty years. With a concerted effort, we can change the planet.
\nbloomberg.com (2min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Happiness Fund Pays Debts for Up To 1.6M<\/a><\/h2>\n

Using money from The National Happiness Fund, established in 2013 to help the poorest South Koreans get out of debt, Asia's fourth largest economy has announced a program to write off debts of up to 10m won ($9,128USD). It's been called a form of "Confucian capitalism", where the state takes care of the people. Isn't that how it's supposed to be?
\nbbc.com (2min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 listen in<\/h1>\n

The Future of Food – Open Source<\/a><\/h2>\n

With farming practices historically focused on yield and durability over flavor and nutrition, are food system dominated by corn and soy is not only broken, but it's harmful and unhealthy. Scientists and the private sector are teaming up to learn what can be done while posing the least risk to farmers who must keep producing to make a living. Learn about the Open Agriculture (OpenAg) Initiative, where open source technology combined with data science is seen as the solution to the modern food crisis. Four experts are interviewed about how the industrial food system has gone off track, and the movements that are changing it for the better.
\nOpen Source with Christopher Lydon at radioopensource.org (52min podcast)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 eat well<\/h1>\n

Portobello Pesto Flatbread<\/a><\/h2>\n

Thanks to a gift certificate, I made a rare trip to Costco. The result was a sudden abundance of pesto and garlic naan bread. So I did what modern home cooks do — I Googled a pizza recipe (or flatbread, to make it sound fancier). Using naan as the crust is one of my favorite kitchen tricks. I first let the portobellos sit in a basic balsamic olive oil garlic marinade for twenty minutes and added tomatoes for an easy dinner.
\nthesaucysoutherner.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 read slow<\/h1>\n

Often Mocked, Millennial Habits Are Survival Strategies<\/a><\/h2>\n

"American Millennials come from somewhere—we didn’t emerge fully formed from the crack in an iPhone screen," writes Malcolm Harris, controversial journalist and author of "Kids These Days". His thoughts on the self-marketing race by YouTube stars and the subsequent corporate exploitation had me re-evaluate my own intentions. In this unflinching book review, Yale Historian Gabriel Winant takes a critical stance on one of the topics of our times, offering a unique perspective on the relationships between society, culture, and modern capitalism. A thought-provoking long read on the greatest generational divide since the 1960's, explained through the lens of corporate profits and human capital.
\nnplusonemag.com (29min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 current read<\/h1>\n

Tigana<\/a><\/h2>\n

A friend lent me this stand-alone fantasy novel several years ago, with one caveat — I had to give it to someone else after reading. I love this idea — write your name and city on the inside cover, then pass it along. And if you receive a book you're not interested in, just be honest and offer to give it back or pass it to someone who might, no hard feelings. Chosen by J.R.R. Tolkien's son Christopher Tolkien to assist in editing his father's unpublished work, Canadian author Guy Gavriel Kay would later launch his career with his first novel, The Summer Tree, the beginning of the acclaimed series The Fionovar Tapestry. A magical epic about the power of home, language, and rebellion.
\nTigana by Guy Gavriel Kay (676p book)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 dig this<\/h1>\n

A free MOOC, two videos and a web comic I've been diggin' of late:<\/p>\n