Good Airs, Good Reads

Recent years have seen an explosion of male joblessness and a steep decline in men’s life prospects that have disrupted the “romantic market” in ways that narrow a marriage-minded woman’s options: increasingly, her choice is between deadbeats (whose numbers are rising) and playboys (whose power is growing). But this strange state of affairs also presents an opportunity: as the economy evolves, it’s time to embrace new ideas about romance and family—and to acknowledge the end of “traditional” marriage as society’s highest ideal.

Because: I intended to post this weeks ago when it first came out. By now you’ve probably read it because it’s spread to every corner of the Internet. If you’re a woman, did it also convince you that you’re destined for a marriage-less life? Que será, será.

Because: I spent a summer interning at More magazine and came out feeling as though I was ready to take on the world as a women. Corny, maybe, but that publication and its staff really push for and support the female gender, and it’s awesome.

The findings of this study the magazine conducted are interesting, though I don’t think I agree with the reaction that, well, women should be doing this and working 70-hour weeks. In fact, I don’t think anyone should be working 70-hour weeks. I think that is ridiculous, and I would be shocked if it’s even efficient or necessary. Moreover, it has to be impossible to have a balanced, sane life with a schedule like that. The reaction is that people go to the extreme opposite and quite altogether. Our work ethic in the US… I still maintain it’s our strength and weakness. Maybe it’s because I’m still reeling from the Steve Jobs eulogy (below) and miss my own family. Is that ironic? He was a total workaholic.

Because: In which we revisit a favorite topic of mine, what has developed more or less into its own category on this Tumblr: How to be a 20-Something. What it’s missing, though, is the “move abroad for a bit.” It could easily slide right in there. 

I read this essay when it first came out and sought it out again recently because a friend of mine here in Buenos Aires also from the U.S. mentioned at lunch yesterday that this essay (or was it another one on Thought Catalog?) was a persuasive factor in her decision to move. Hi, Dylan! I know you read this from time to time and I love you for it.

Because: “This is America, speak English!” is one of the most ignorant comments a person can make, and one that gets uttered, or more like spat out, way more often than it should. The first reason being that it is rude and close-minded, and second being that it is wrong: America has no official language. It would be so great if the U.S. could become a bilingual country!

Because: La Presidente has won four more years. I recommend this piece for a brief, informative story about her, her policies and the election, as well as what might be to come. Here’s hoping for the best. 

Because: Another article about my generation, the “me” generation, whatever you want to call us. We love to analyze ourselves, defend ourselves, psychoanalyze ourselves and read, investigate, write and talk about ourselves. Now I’m a little biased, but I do think to some extend we and whatever is happening with us are worthy of such activity, and Occupy Wall Street offers up proof.

This essay is on it. It is so on-point; it does such a good job of verbalizing what I think I and many of my friends feel. It’s not whiny or disillusioned. And I agree: We will be OK. We will be better than OK. There’s that generationally characteristic optimism.

Because: This is crazy fascinating. Also, I cannot speak from experience, but I have a feeling the majority of people who might benefit most from such a long-term alteration won’t be the ones apt to take it.

Because: This Onion Point/Counterpoint is from before the turn of the century, but still just as funny. Proper satire right here.

Because: A U.S. college student who studied abroad in Buenos Aires wrote this column. It makes me happy, because I get the impression this student got as much out of her study abroad experience as I did with mine. It is sweet, with a tinge of idealism, and reminds me so much of where I was when I returned home from study abroad in Barcelona. Reading this almost three years later, I feel as though I am looking back on myself. My wise, reflective words? Let study abroad, as cliche as it sounds, change you. Go with it, because you don’t know where it might take you.

Because: I almost was a bilingual baby. Sigh. I have a theory that the only people who can speak more than language with perfect accents (or a lack thereof), no problems, are the ones who learned it before a certain age. I’m not sure what that age is, but any children I have will most certainly grow up bilingual.

Because: Just got back from Rio de Janeiro yesterday and I’m already plotting my return to Brazil. There are few things sadder than pulling a bathing suit out of a plastic bag from your luggage, still wet and smelling of beach you were on earlier that same day. If possible, I would like to make Rio for Carnaval happen, and then there’s Floripa, detailed in this article. While this article focuses on the party scene of Florianópolis, I have heard the beaches themselves are beautiful, not even including the Brazilians who populate them, which obviously pushes it up many more levels. There’s a long weekend in December… anyone interested? Beijous!

Because: Linked is my latest feature article on BBC Travel. I also would like to mention that my meal at Cocina de Lilliam was one of the best I’ve had. 

Because: I learned of this site, which is a journalism multimedia project, from a fellow Buenos Aires blogger. The short pieces, while occasionally somewhat cliche, highlight a number of culturally important facets of Argentine/Buenos Aires life and society and for that reason, are worth a watch.