February 2011
16 posts
Can Google and Facebook Prevent You From Cheating on Your Spouse? →
theatlantic.com
Because: Cheating is well-known part of Argentine relationship culture. In five months here, my friends and I have seen it ourselves: men who take off their rings out at bars, who fail to mention wives and kids while unashamedly, aggressively pursuing other women. Women aren’t always the ones sitting home while the men do all the beguiling, though I imagine the rampant machismo culture ‘permits’ men to feel more entitled to such indiscretions.
From what I have deduced, it all creates this toxic, symbiotic situation wherein many people shrug their shoulders and say, “that’s the way it is!” about cheating, yet are possessive and jealous in their own relationships. Still, that is not everyone, and I do intend to make sweeping generalizations.
We could say it’s not like that in U.S., which it isn’t. In no way does that mean it is better, though; as this article shows, maybe it’s just more different. Maybe we’re just more secretive, feign a more holier-than-thou attitude and are quicker to judge each other.
Note: I am not saying anyone or anything is right, wrong, innocent or guilty, rather, I am meagerly attempting to bring some additional depth to the topic.
And with that, I leave you with one of my favorite quotes. It is one of my favorite quotes independent of its context, though I will explain it to you. This is from adultery researcher Annette Lawson, and I read it in my Social Psychology textbook sophomore year of college. Take it and apply it in life as you wish, which I have done myself. The origin: explaining possible reasons why people cheat.
We work so hard at creating incredibly dull lives.
The Short and Sweet Guide to Being F*cking Awesome →
inoveryourhead.net
Because: This is both hilarious and inspirational. It’s so true, too, and the best part is, it’s applicable to everyone. Now go forth! Awesome is a journey, not a destination.
“Although providing free vegetables amid soaring food prices in Argentina lies at the heart of the group’s raison d’etre, they call their raids “performances” that aim to inspire people to shun supermarkets and go organic.”
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Rebel gardeners wage veggie war on Buenos Aires | Reuters
Because: I like this idea, and I hope it works. While Argentines love whiling away their days in parks and green, open spaces, I do wonder if this “veggie war” can succeed. Many streets are trash-strewn, which makes me question whether people care that much about the city’s upkeep. That said, if all the dog poop spotting the sidewalks could instead be plopped on these gardening plots as fertilizer, we might be on to something.
Second language protects against Alzheimer's - CBS News →
cbsnews.com
Because: As though I needed further motivation to reach the language learner’s Holy Grail of fluency.
“Fed up with the disconnect between employers and schools, two new tests aim to measure how schools prepare students for the real world.”
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Because: Things I should have learned at some point and needed to know for internships and jobs: faxing, fixing copy machines, fetching coffee. I’m not complaining, though. That is what they’re talking about, right? Right?
What happens when mean girls grow up? →
washingtonpost.com
Because: No one knows how to hurt — or support — a girl like another girl. This is an Interesting article on a subject I never tire of reading about.
Anatomy of a Twitter Scandal →
adweek.com
Because: This story is a strong reminder of the power of Twitter. Also, Rosen’s comments appall me. Society has a long way to go in learning how to react to sexual assault and how to treat its victims.
“Travel writers must be, at times, historians and social scientists, food critics and wine experts, self-promoters and trip planners. On a daily basis, writers are dealing with editors, PRs, hotel managers, chefs, sommeliers, curators, business owners, guides, travellers, and more.”
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An entrepreneurial model for travel writers working in an evolving media | Tnooz
Because: Right now I’m having a resurgence of energy to make it happen on the side.
Argentina, US Relations Hit New Low On Cargo Seizure →
nasdaq.com
Because: “New low”? How low is low? Is it very American of me to have not realized our relationship was “delicate”? I suppose it’s because when I think about strained international foreign relations, my mind goes to Iran, Venezuela, South Korea, the majority of the Middle East, etc. I wonder where this falls on the scale of Switzerland to all the aforementioned areas. Looks like you should have scheduled Argentina into your Latin American travel itinerary, Mr. President.
This was front-page news in today’s issue of La Nacion. I would love to know how much coverage it received in the U.S.
Also: “Twitterman,” ja ja ja. Love that.
Katie Couric Interviews Tavi Gevinson, the Style Rookie
(LINK!)
Because: Two powerful, impressive females from two different generations, and one frank, sweet and insightful interview. Leave it to Katie Couric and Tavi touch on such a variety of subjects of interest and importance to women.
I hate to pull out the “best ever” superlative two posts in a row, but it is necessary. This is most certainly the best Q&A I have had the pleasure of reading.
The best article I have ever read, and probably ever will read
Pearls Before Breakfast
Can one of the nation’s great musicians cut through the fog of a D.C. rush hour? Let’s find out.
Because: This was published in 2007, but I somehow did not read it until last week. I was overcome with emotion, because it reminded me acutely of what frustrated and weighed on me most about the U.S. when I returned from study abroad in Barcelona, which also was a lot of what motivated me to move abroad after graduation.
After reading it and sharing it with everyone who on Gchat at the time, usually in a message that involved lines of exclamation points and me pouring out my soul, I learned Gene Weingarten won the Pulitzer Prize for this piece. That is not even enough — a new line of journalism awards entirely should be developed.
This is a long article, but if you haven’t read it, or even if you have but it’s been some time, I implore you to please, please, please read it in its entirety. The subject, the writing, the content, the quotes; it is all so beautiful and revealing. I could gush for paragraphs, but I will let you read and feel it yourself.
Hells Angels fugitive captured in Argentina →
azcentral.com
Because: Do criminals really flee to Buenos Aires? And why should it take eight years to find someone living in San Isidro? I would like to think most of us expats here are running toward something, not away.
“For decades, the Arab world has waited for a savior — be it Gamal Abdel-Nasser, the charismatic Egyptian president or even, for a time, Saddam Hussein. No one was waiting for a savior on Wednesday. Before nearly three decades of accumulated authority — the power of a state that can mobilize thousands to heed its whims — people had themselves.”
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The New York Times, Arab World Faces Its Uncertain Future
Because: Reading this article, particularly the above quote, gave me the chills.
I have started keeping up on Egypt with the Mother Jones blog, which one of my roommates pointed me toward for understandable, thoughtful and thorough coverage.
In Argentina, reading about Egypt and wondering what the U.S. will do.
