Favorites July 9 2021

Ed Yong @edyong209

When birds first appeared, they couldn't taste sugar. Some ancient Australian birds evolved that ability by repurposing a sensor for umami into one for sweetness. And they gave rise to the entire songbird dynasty--half the world's species. New from me:

theatlantic.comThe Story of Songbirds Is a Story of SugarLong ago, songbirds executed an evolutionary power move, rejiggering a sensor for savory tastes to react to sweetness.

Wait, so birds that sing are the only ones who taste sugar? Wild

Aaron Astor @AstorAaron

Finally a study on natural immunity and Delta. Looks like the immunity effect for prior infection is the same as fully vaccinated - both are roughly 4X (or 3-5X) less potent than against Alpha. Breakthrough rate should roughly match reinfection rate. nature.com/articles/s4158…

I don't know about you, but I'm going to want a booster before we get too far into the winter

Dan Federman @TheFederman

Welp. If you’re reading this, you know people who think this way. Talk to them!

Next door in Silicon Valley @nextdoorsv

1/ Gems from the UCSD survey 🧵 "California will be better if its population falls significantly" -40% Whites -46% 45-64 y.o (GenX) -41% 65+ y.o. -48% Conservatives -46% Republicans -41% Independents -39% SoCal that's not Los Angeles -Slightly more women https://t.co/jahlTJLhlw https://t.co/gXjQE6Ohb9

Ideally engage positively on this kind of thing, but it's not like I'm good at it.

Matthew Yglesias @mattyglesias

Don’t call it welfare (via @JoshuaTMcCabe)

So, yea, rebranding.

Niels Lesniewski @nielslesniewski

Just so we're clear on all this: Schumer and McConnell could bring up a one sentence bill saying that the Capitol Police gets such sums as may be necessary for salaries and expenses through September 30, and see if anyone objects.

bit.lyCapitol Police could run out of funds over August recess - Roll CallNegotiations have not begun on a spending bill to cover costs stemming from the Jan. 6 attack, says a key Senate Democratic appropriator.

I'm not saying that the capitol police did an amazing job in January, but I don't think running out of money will make things better.

James Stoteraux @JStoteraux

There were 55 students in my incoming class at Columbia’s MFA Film program. Only 4 of us ever managed to make a career out of it. And of those 4, one guy dropped out the first semester. Funny enough he’s the most successful one having co-directed Avengers Endgame. Hi Anthony!

The Wall Street Journal @WSJ

Columbia and other wealthy universities steer master's students to federal loans that can exceed $250,000. After graduation, many learn the debt is well beyond their means. https://t.co/VO2VrQVK7g

Yea, it seems pretty clear that the most expensive schools are not worth the money. I mean, go for it if you get grants for it.

Noah Smith 🐇 @Noahpinion

The War on Poverty was a success, actually.

noahpinion.substack.comThe War on Poverty was a successPoverty still exists in America, but it is much reduced thanks to LBJ

This reminds me of how SF spends a massive amount of money per homeless person, but some of that results in housing people, resulting in fewer homeless people.

Laramie, WY, June 2019