#5SmartReads - September 12, 2022
Hitha on harm reduction, a breakthrough in Ukraine, and how to achieve your goals
Russia removes forces outside Kharkiv in major Ukraine breakthrough (Axios)
While it seems far removed from most of our lives here in the United States, Russia’s attempted invasion of Ukraine continues. But it hasn’t gone as well as they expected, and Ukrainian forces have just notched a significant victory.
Not only did Russian forces exit the area outside Kharkiv, Ukrainian forces also gained ground in Kupiansk, which is a major transportation hub that connects Russia to eastern Ukraine (and a major logistics route for the invaders).
While we don’t know how long this war will be, Ukraine continues to fight back (and has continued arms and financial support from the United States and other countries). While this is no means the end, it’s a positive turn for Ukraine (and global democracy, given that’s what is at stake).
The Queen Represented Racist Violence As Much As She Did Glamour (BuzzFeed News)
“Nations impacted by the British Empire struggle to own their histories; they’re simply stopovers in the long march of imperialism. The empire didn’t grow organically. Their riches were stolen in the form of labor from enslaved people, pilfered bijous, and of course, tea. Elizabeth could have given any of the wealth back. She could have cemented herself as the royal who redistributed what was taken. She didn’t, though, and that wasn’t by mistake.”
Scaachi does not HOLD BACK in this blisteringly honest op-ed. And after reading it a number of times, she shouldn’t.
She rightfully asks the question “what is there about the Queen and the monarchy that deserves our mourning?” and highlights the immense harm done to colonized lands even during Elizabeth II’s reign. Was her steadiness in a changing world remarkable in its longevity alone, or did that longevity and upholding the institution delay any apology and reparations of giving back looted treasure that these countries do deserve?
Give this a read (and a re-read, because you’ll catch some of Scaachi’s brilliant observations only the second or third time around). And please let me know your thoughts - on this piece, on the Queen, on imperialism and colonialism, and on the world we wish to leave for the next generation.
Transparent solar panels could replace windows in the future. Here's how (Interesting Engineering)
While this technology isn’t as efficient as it needs to be (or affordable!), it is extremely promising to help us boost renewable energy in essential building materials.
And that is really, really cool. And we’re seeing it be installed in large constructions right now.
Consider the Copenhagen International School, which is designed with 12,000 clear solar panels all over the building (and produces more than half of the building’s energy consumption). Or Michigan State University’s Biomedical and Physical Sciences building, which upgraded its entryway with clear solar glass panels (and powers the lighting in the atrium).
The efficiency tradeoff has to do with the transparency - the more clear it is, the less efficient these panels are. But tinted glass can provide greater efficiency and help with cooling buildings and homes, and I hope we see more scaling and expansion of these solar panels for both commercial and domestic use.
How To Pursue A Goal Without Letting It Take Over Your Life (Bustle)
One of my many quirks is that I think a new planner or system or desk arrangement will change my life, instead of focusing on tackling the many tasks or chores I have to do at any given moment.
So while my Remarkable tablet has 4 different daily planning sheets loaded onto it (and I even ordered this new planner), there are two baskets filled with clothes and things in my room that need to be put away, my family room and kitchen are a bit of a disaster right now, and I have to give myself some literal pep talks in order to get a single work task one.
In reading this smart piece, I’ve identified this quirk as a classic avoidance mechanism that I use when things feel out of control and I’m struggling to regain it. Achievement doesn’t happen by doing a single thing perfectly, but in having small moments of achievement every single day and giving yourself plenty of rest and boundaries to recharge regularly.
I absolutely needed to read this, and I hope you find value in it too. But I still think this planner will change my life ;)
Fentanyl test strips could help save lives. In many states, they’re still illegal (STAT)
“With limitations on drug-checking mechanisms, really what we’re saying is: People who use drugs don’t deserve to live, and we don’t believe that they care about their health,” said Hill Brown, the southern director for Faith in Harm Reduction, a nonprofit that facilitates partnerships between religious groups and organizations that provide drug users with tools for safer use. “Both of those things are wrong, and the first argument is just immoral.”
The public sector’s policy and attitude about drug control and management is depressingly regressive and wrong, and this is but another example of that.
I hope you take the time to read through this nuanced piece that presents both the benefits and the limitations of testing strips and the impact they’ve made, along with a wider view of how we address drug usage as policy and in practice.
Simply denying that such a problem exists or mandating an all-or-nothing stance is not enough and will continue to do more harm. And while I don’t have an answer or answers on what we can do next, this article does an excellent job of outlining options and how testing strips are but one piece of a better policy.