That backpack issue...sigh. Not filling in on trains and buses is also something I wish locals were better about. We’re all trying to get where we’re going so let’s make room, people. I’ve always said if I could do a make-believe job, it would be public transit etiquette enforcer.

That seems totally fair. And it really is something to experience. I think everyone’s got places that are incredibly popular but hold no personal appeal. I feel that way about L.A.—I go fairly regularly to visit friends, but would rather use my miles elsewhere.

So true—and helpful advice for traveling in lots of cities. DC has that issue too with the added variation of walking 4 or 5 astride down the street. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to welcome tourists, but awareness and respect of surroundings is beneficial for everyone.

This is an area where I’ve been so disappointed in the direction of progressive political organizing. I think the failure to have an effective strategy for engaging marginalized communities like women of color or a vocabulary for articulating one that speaks to their concerns really does a disservice for bringing…

Is that their spin? I had no idea. I guess I should have figured given how weird their merch taglines are.

Agreed. And policy-wise, she and Obama were political siblings. It’s the messaging and narrative that were the problem here (along with a list of different factors, which that link helpfully puts out there).

Bjork be Bjorkin’. But I love it, so never change.

Wow, she’s been busy! I’m anxiously awaiting Akata Warrior, too. She’s fantastically talented so nice to see this momentum!

It depends on the brand of outdoor nonsense. I saw NIN at the FYF Fest in L.A. and it worked out, largely because it skewed later to get out of the heat of the day (plus decent bathrooms and enough space to enjoy the show without getting crushed). Even old folks like my friend and I were surprised at how well we could…

Seems like overkill given that Icelandair has decent (virtual) in-flight entertainment.

I don’t think it gets stressed enough that people shouldn’t be shy about asking for directions or suggestions.

It’s definitely a factor. I’m asked all the time about what airport is best and it just depends on where you’re staying, what time you come/leave, how much luggage you have, what airline, etc.

It’s a fascinating book (a fascinating series overall actually). I thought I’d have trouble with the science aspects of it, but it was no problem at all. I’m actually now reading Ken Liu’s The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories, although I do need to get my hands on that anthology.

Because of course she did. She’s the worst and a reflection of all the elitism that tennis is criticized for. Let’s of course forget that most of the successful black American players have come from prominent sports/tennis families.

I think you overlook that people are responding to the totality of Sharapova’s comments about Serena that go beyond that excerpt, particularly the part about how Serena still hates her due to the situation of a skinny little girl beating her (which is absurd). If Serena was going to be upset with anyone over that, it…

She could have focused on her own emotions rather than detailing the body of her opponent. She certainly could have used less coded language to make said descriptions if she felt she needed that narrative. And she could have done better than juxtaposing this against herself as some sort of a delicate flower, which…

I don’t think you’re trying hard enough. I don’t doubt the intimidation or fault her for feeling that. But I do question the way she chooses to express it. She could have made that point a lot more thoughtfully, so it’s a fair criticism.

Sharapova is basically American having lived here most of her life. So she has the benefit of learning about supremacy in a very natural habitat.

So much truth. I’ve been natural since the early ‘90s (mostly out of laziness and brokeness) and it was the wild west for real, just full of mistakes and adventures left and right. When I think about the sheen I perpetuated for years, it makes me cringe. So much grease and pink lotion.

If it sucks, you agree that it would be better if this kind of behavior changed. And if by doing the bare minimum of calling out admittedly dubious behavior makes a positive dent in achieving that, why would you be opposed to it? That’s not about social justice, that’s about basic human civility being more important…