the throwback issue
some of the best articles I've shared on 5SR
This week’s issue is pulled from the #5SmartReads archives. All of these articles are still timely, somewhat hopeful, and are some of my favorites that I’ve ever shared. Today’s post is paywall-free, and I appreciate your support of my work.
One of the Most Effective Ways to Fund Childcare Does Not Rely on Congress (TIME)
originally shared on October 25, 2023
How much do you know about voter-approved children’s funds?
They could be the secret to help fund childcare around the country until we elect a Congress that will take decisive action on the issue. And while they require a fair amount of work at the state level, the success of state abortion measures shows that they are possible - and winnable.
And these are not party-line battles - these ballot measures (and the tax increases to fund them) have support from voters on both sides of the aisle.
“In 2020 Escambia County in the Florida panhandle approved the creation of a children’s service trust with 61% of the vote at the same time Trump won the area with 57% of the vote. Child advocates were able to bring on business leaders to support the proposal. After the community suffered $300 million in damage as a result of Hurricane Sally in September 2020, more leaders got on board with the idea that kids’ services needed a stable source of funding, especially given the instability of the pandemic as well. The initiative is now raising $10 million per year for 10 years funded through a property-tax increase.”
It’s a different approach than the one New Mexico took to make childcare free, but it’s one that has a greater probability of success to sway Republicans.
‘How do you reduce a national dish to a powder?’: the weird, secretive world of crisp flavours (The Guardian)
originally shared on December 11, 2023
There’s something about trying the chips (or crisps) in a new place that’s both familiar and foreign in the best way.
But who exactly is responsible for distilling these flavors or textures and widths of chips into the finished product? And how exactly do they do it?
It’s a fascinating process, as this article outlines. But what struck me the most is the level of research that goes into forecasting and planning new flavors before it makes its way into the food science and to a team of chefs to repurpose existing flavors or formulate new ones.
Our Christmas Eve tradition is to prepare a potato feast (think every form of French fry and toppings, loaded baked potatoes, my beloved bangala dhumpulu vepadu). When my dad is staying with us, we always enjoy a little snack and wine (or Aplos) while the kids eat their starter plates. I love the idea of pairing the evening’s meal with a chip flavor that complements it.
Using the Oceans to Help Capture Carbon (IEEE)
originally shared on September 15, 2023
Positive climate change stories seem to be a rarity these days - but here’s one that can help us have faith in a better future.
Carbon capture and sequestration are one of my nerdy obsessions, especially when it builds on nature’s own effective solutions. Reforestation and preservation is one effective measure for carbon capture that we’re seeing more investment and attention in. Now I give you the ocean - on its own, it absorbs ¼ of global carbon dioxide emissions. Extracting this gas can helps the ocean absorb even more, as a number of companies are piloting right now.
While this piece gets into the chemical and physical weeds, it’s really well-written and explained clearly. It also highlights the risk of direct ocean capture technologies, which are still in the pilot phase and the long term impacts are unknown.
In true 5SR fashion, it’s a both/and issue that’s worth learning more about. Take the time to read this in full.
I started #5SmartReads over 7 years ago as a way to amplify underreported news and underrepresented perspectives. Your support makes this series possible (has helped me publish more issues a week) . Thank you for your subscriptions (all of them) and for sharing my work with your circles. If budget permits, I would be so appreciative of your paid support of my work.
America is full of abandoned malls. What if we turned them into housing? (Vox)
originally shared on April 16, 2024
There is so much opportunity in the Venn Diagram of commercial real estate that no longer makes sense and the need for housing.
Abandoned malls is one opportunity - and a compelling one. And it’s already underway throughout the country.
The biggest hurdle to scaling this kind of development is zoning laws, the majority of which were drafted 100 years ago (on the younger side). Changing the laws is the first common sense step to re-making our communities based on our current needs, and not relics of history.
The good news is this necessary legal change is happening slowly, at both the local/state and federal levels. Imagine if the public and private sectors come together to invest and scale this development in a big way.
It’d make for a better future, for all of us.
It’s not as far fetched as it seemed 2 years ago - living at the mall is actually happening now, as I shared a few months ago.
Finding your place in the galaxy with the help of Star Trek (NPR)
originally shared on October 16, 2023
I’ve often tried to find the words of what Star Trek means to me and how it’s contributed to what little optimism I have about the future, but have always failed to write what I really mean.
I’m grateful for Regina Barber for writing how I feel about this incredible universe.
“The phrase “infinite diversity in infinite combinations” comes from Star Trek. In this future there is no money on Earth; humanity is part of a federation of planets where all members, human and alien, work together to explore the galaxy. There are wars, but the Federation’s Prime directive is to not interfere with other cultures, to not assert their culture on anyone else.
The future I saw on the screen was so full of possibilities for me, and it was only in my adulthood, as an astrophysicist with over a decade of equity work, that I realized the impact this show had on me. There were lessons about true inclusion hidden in sci-fi that this show and my father imparted on me.”
Voyager was the Trek that brought me into this fandom, but I’ve now watched all of Next Generation and the new series that Paramount has brought to life.
This was before Paramount sold its soul and the company became the most anti-Trek.
If you’re feeling dejected about the state of the world, it’s a sign that you still are holding onto your humanity. But if you want to feel hopeful about the future, I do encourage you to give Trek a try - it’s hopeful, smart, and reminds me of the potential we have together.
You can watch the rebooted films on Hoopla (the first is excellent), and you can buy DVDs of the films and show seasons (something I’m inclined to do these days).