Articles from February, 2011

The Weight of a Good Notebook

Whitney Carpenter suffers from a common affliction in which she buys fancy notebooks, but rarely writes in them.

We Have Met the Enemy, and Surprisingly, He’s Not ESPN

Nick Martens wonders why media overexposure so reliably turns sports fans against star players.

My Camaro Dreams in Analog

Computers may prove to be more intelligent than humans, at least at Jeopardy, but can Watson romance a woman the way Hudson Hongo can?

A Personal History of Shaving

Alice Stanley wrestles with the dilemma of having hairy legs.

Fear and Gaming: Being and Nothingness and “Minecraft”

Jonathan Gourlay explores Minecraft, an ugly game with no point and endless possibility.

It’s Shake ‘n Bake, and I Helped

Joe Berkowitz was actually not all that instrumental in making dinner, probably because he’s in kindergarten.

Texas Forever

Kevin Nguyen explains why one of TV’s best dramas, Friday Night Lights, was doomed to be underrated.

En Route: Drive

In America, learning to drive is a hallmark of adolescence, which means Darryl Campbell didn’t go through puberty until his twenties.

Instructions for the New Personal Assistant

As Nathan Pensky’s assistant, you’ll need to know how to deal with raccoons, ghosts, and “sex parties.” But don’t worry, this guide is quite comprehensive.

I Spent Two Weeks in a Sleep Study

Participating in a sleep study, Craig McCarthy spends two weeks cut off from the world — no sunlight, clocks, or outside communication, except for writing letters.

Cycling South: Jurassic Park

Biking through the mountains of southern Chile, Ben Bateman starts to worry about the velociraptors.

4-Hour Dentist

Charlie Nadler presents an uncommon guide to rapid fat-loss, incredible sex, and becoming a dentist.