Daily Archives: October 3, 2021

Cycle-synching is this years wellness buzzword for worthy reason; aligning your lifestyle choices with your menstrual cycle is thought to have a whole host of benefits, from boosting your mood and concentration, to your skin, diet and fitness levels.

Female optimised training is something athletes have long been adept at, but it has the potential to positively impact anyones physical and mental health, whether involving intensive exercise or not.

Your menstrual cycle can have an extremely beneficial impact on your exercise and vice versa, explains Dr Ajai Seth, consultant in sport and exercise medicine at London Bridge Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK. Hormonal fluctuations during the cycle can positively influence your energy levels and performance. In addition, the endorphin and serotonin release during and after exercise has an antidepressant and mood-elevating effect, helping us through menstrual symptoms. These hormones can also alleviate pain such as cramping and bloating by aiding digestion.

However, he notes that its important to remember that everyone's body is different, and we don't all respond to hormonal fluctuations in the same way. In addition, menstrual cycle lengths can vary drastically so a one size fits all approach cant be taken to cycle synching.

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Hailing from New York, dynamic fitness method P.Volve has plugged into the zeitgeist with its new clinically-backed cycle-syncing programme named Phase and function.

With a crack team of experts behind it from certified trainers to an obstetrician-gynaecologist, nutritionist, health coach and more the virtual series intends to match your movement, meals and mindset to the ebb and flow of your hormones.

Personalised to you (tracked via details about the timings and length of your period and cycle) it provides an individualised workout and nutrition plan, as well as expert-led education for the four phases of the menstrual cycle; menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal. The results can mean reduced PMS, increased energy and performance plus improved weight management.

If youre interested in exploring the idea without commitment, Dr Seth explains the basics of aligning your exercise programme to your cycle.

Note: day one of your cycle is the first day of your period. During your period at the start of your cycle, progesterone and oestrogen levels are at their lowest, which can cause low energy and mood fluctuations, explains Dr Seth. However, during the first 14 days of your cycle (the follicular phase) your body adapts and responds to strength training better than in the later stages of your cycle. It is easier to build and gain strength and muscle mass during this time. Therefore, he suggests incorporating strength routines (such as Pilates and weight training) with light cardio during this time to maximise this affect.

Around the time of ovulation (day 14) there is a surge in oestrogen and testosterone levels, Dr Seth confirms. Many athletes time their performances and are exertional training for this time to maximise their results. Higher training intensity and volumes may be more achievable mid-cycle, he advises.

In the last 14 days of the cycle the luteal phase progesterone levels start to rise and can have more of a depressant effect. This is the time where women should be boosting serotonin and endorphin levels to alleviate these symptoms, but recognising there may be a slight dip in performance. He suggests steady training with slightly lower intensity may be more suitable during this time.

Of course, as well as the benefits of exercise on your cycle, always be mindful of potential negative effects. If you feel that exercise is negatively affecting your cycle and you experience missing periods, this certainly needs further investigation to make sure your metabolic balance is correct, Dr Seth notes.

Within P.Volves programme, meals are where much of the personalised experience comes into play. Registered dietician, Vanessa Rissetto, who designed the nutrition portion of Phase and function, explains that she curated nutritional options that complement the workouts to properly fuel your body in accordance with your hormones.

Indeed, a bespoke approach is always advised when cycle-syncing your diet. Calorie expenditure throughout the menstrual cycle is very individualised, explains Dr Seth. There are so many variables that affect our metabolic activity and calorie expenditure in day-to-day life. Having said that, he notes there is some evidence to suggest that women are more likely to crave high-fat and sweet foods during the later stages of their period (luteal phase) pre-menstruating, which could suggest a natural response to increased calorie burn during this phase.

He says the key is to listen to your body's requirements with regards to appetite, fatigue and mood and respond with the appropriate exercise plan. Keeping a balanced diet throughout your cycle but also matching your calorie intake to your exercise volume and intensity, will always ensure you get the adequate amount of energy.

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Cycle syncing your workouts could benefit your body and mood - harpersbazaar.com

As billionaires try to beat each other by shooting themselves into space, theres plenty of movement in space tourism for us plebes that dont have our own rocket companies to promote. From Disney to Vegas, space seems to be the hottest new theme in tourism.

Were still years, possibly decades, away from affordable and accessible off-Earth tourism, but in the meantime, theres a wave of new space-themed tourism experiences.

The highest-profile projects are both at Walt Disney World. After unprecedented delays, the Space 220 restaurant opened last week at EPCOT. Themed to a fixed space station located 220 miles above Orlando, the themed dining experience is akin to the California Grill or Coral Reef but with large hyper-real projections of Earth. The new restaurant is also one of the most realistic looks to date of how a space elevator would work. Like its precursor, the hydrolators at The Living Seas, the Stellarvator, as the space elevator is referred to, has obvious issues that keep it from being too authentic.

But by far the most ambitious simulated space tourism project is a new resort announced for Las Vegas. Using a building technique nearly identical to that of Space Mountain, the new casino resort will have a central tower that supports a massive 735-foot tall Moon-shaped building, the largest replica of the Moon ever attempted. Inside, guests will have hotel rooms with views of the lunar surface, and there will be a spacious area for guests to explore the simulated lunar surface.

Some think the highly publicized Moon resort, expected to cost $5 billion, will go the same route as the Titusville project. Scott Roeben of Vegas news site Vital Vegas is one of those skeptics. He sees the recent trend in space-themed tourist attractions as a link to recent launches and unusual theming. I think over-the-top announcements are always fun to talk about, and this story is over the moon in terms of how ludicrous it is. Beyond the outlandish element, space is a thing at the moment. Every billionaire is blasting themselves into space, so it's in the zeitgeist, despite this particular project being complete science fiction.

Roeben acknowledges Vegas has always had a unique fascination with space, including previous proposals for a Moon-themed resort, aptly named Moon World. This specific project seems unlikely to him due to the location, costs, and design concept. The proposed site appears to be on land owned by Wynn Resorts, and I can guarantee there is no price where they'd let what is arguably a tacky monstrosity be built on that site. I know, buzzkill. He admits the bars at Moon would interest but quickly adds, unfortunately, this project has zero hope of ever existing. It's pure whimsy. A second Moon resort is proposed for Dubai.

In 2016, a concept similar to the doomed Titusville one was proposed for Vegas. It wouldve simulated Mars inside a massive dome, nearly as tall as Giza's Great Pyramid. Circling the simulated surface would be a large retail and entertainment complex. That project now seems stalled as well. It comes as no surprise to Roeben as he notes, Vegas is about big dreams, and the vast majority are of the pipe variety.

Tourists have long been fascinated with space. One of Coney Islands most successful early attractions was a simulated ride to the Moon. That attraction had debuted at the Pan-American Exposition in 1901, where guests paid double the price of other attractions. The steep cost didn't deter guests, with it ranking as the one of the most popular exhibits at the expo.A similar attraction opened at Disneyland in 1955, where it too saw large crowds.Epcots Mission: Space, adding the thrill of the G-forces to a space attraction, opened at Epcot in 2003. In a post-ride area, guests can explore Mars via a computer simulation.

Theres also a push towards actual space tourism. In Las Vegas, there are plans for a spaceport just outside the city, though Roeben thinks this is yet another pipe dream, due in large part to the citys lack of qualified workers. Back in Florida, Brevard County is trying to keep its space supremacy, with a proposal to change the county's name to Space Coast in an attempt to better market the region. Numerous companies have now set goals of having regular space tourism trips by the end of the decade, with many of the projects launching from Brevard County.

Earlier this year, Virgin Galactic made news when it scooped up one of Disney's most recognizable Imagineers, Joe Rohde. In his new role, Rohde is tasked with ensuring a seamless experience for tourists visiting space from Virgin Galatic's custom-built, hyper-luxury spaceport in New Mexico.

In the 1980s, when EPCOT was new, it was the first introduction for many guests to the global cultures celebrated within it. Since then, access to those distant nations has become far easier for many. Similarly, Space 220 will be the first taste of space many guests encounter. But, with dozens of other space-themed attractions and authentic space tourism proposals moving forward, in a few decades, the restaurant may feel as outdated as the land formerly known as Future World.

For now, space is reserved for the smartest and wealthiest. Maybe one day that wont be the case, but in the meantime, theres always Disney and Vegas pipedreams.

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New moon-shaped casino announced for Vegas, but for space themed fun Disney is a better bet - Orlando Weekly

Produce Section Inside Meow Wolf's Omega Mart in Las Vegas

Some businesses have been more affected by the Covid-19 pandemic than others. While on-line commerce has thrived, in person activities such as visiting a restaurant, bar or movie theater have continued to face an uneven recovery.

Previously I havewritten about how an interactive arts space, Santa Fe-basedMeow Wolfwhich operates theHouse of Eternal Return, was dealing with the challenges of Covid. As an immersiveartsand entertainmentexhibition built around interactive experiences, mysterious and magical worlds and features such asslides andsecret passageways, social distancing guidelines were particularly challenging for suchabusiness to meet.Meow Wolf was guided by its deep social mission and identity as a B Corp in how it handled both visitors to its space and employees.

We also had discussed Meow Wolfs expansion plans and it was great to hear that after facing multiple delays due to the pandemic, it opened its second permanent exhibition,Omega Martin Las Vegas on February 18, 2021. Omega Martstarts out as an exhibition in the form of an average-seemingsupermarket featuringaisles filled withthought provoking products that highlight the bizarre, mysterious and often hilarious nature of consumer culture asCorvas Brinkerhoff, Meow Wolf Co-Founder and SVP of Experience Design, and Executive Creative Director for Meow Wolf Las Vegas told me.

A popular product at Omega Mart: Nut Free Salted Peanuts. 100% Salt (Warning: It may contain ... [+] peanuts.)

For example, Nut Free Salted Peanuts is nut free, i.e. 100% salt, although a disclaimer notes that it may contain peanuts. Participants soon discover theres more than meets the eye at Omega Mart, and embark on a journey through hidden portals into a world of surreal landscapes and immersive storytelling that inspires a real life choose-your-own-adventure game.

At the time of its opening, Las Vegas still faced many health and safety restriction mandates, including reduced capacity. Omega Mart openedat a reduced capacity of 25% and was able to expand to full capacity in May,with several health and safety protocols still in action daily by Omega Mart to ensure guest and employee safety and wellness.Since then it has attracted record-breaking attendance numbers, and touristscontinueto flock to Omega Mart.

As part of myresearch on social businessesI recently had the chance to talk toBrinkerhoff about Omega Mart, and topics such as how the pandemic shaped the opening andthe experience ofopening an exhibition in Las Vegas.See below for our edited conversation.

Christopher Marquis: What was the inspiration forOmega Mart?

Corvas Brinkerhoff:Can we reconnect you with your imagination in a new and mind-blowing way? Can we disrupt a status quo way of thinking? Can we explode our collective sense of possibility into a thousand fractal shards of color and creativity? Can we create a setting where an artist can completely unleash themselves? This is the kind of thing we draw inspiration from. Then every project has its own unique set of sources and influences.

Omega Mart is about the bizarre, mysterious and often hilarious nature of consumer culture. Its much more than a critique or satire, though. Its really a joyous and earnest exploration of modern life and the wonderful - if not utterly surreal - renderings of culture that come with having nearly everything you can possibly desire at your fingertips. Just who and what are we becoming? Omega Mart is not asking you to shuck or hide from our culture, its an invitation to find the humor, mystery, and beauty below the surface.

"Old Fashioned Spray," One of 7 Cocktails Exclusively Served at the Hidden Bar Datamosh Inside Meow ... [+] Wolf's Omega Mart

As you dig deeper, you will find winding narratives that pull you into the secret underpinnings of a cyber-spiritual mega corporation, Dramcorp. Think Church of Scientology crossed with Amazon. Youll find the story of a group of young people banding together and claiming their power. Eventually, youll uncover a story about evolution, resistance to change, and the power of creativity. Im inspired by simple and beautiful metaphors, stories that help me understand my place in the universe.

And beneath all of that, its just an excuse to give artists an opportunity to make work at an incredible scale and depth. If nothing else, its a world-class collection of amazing pieces of immersive art. We are artists and we are inspired by artists.

Artists Emily Montoya and Benji Geary are the core of the creative vision behind Omega Mart, the store itself. (Its a bit confusing because the store is about 10% of the exhibition and its namesake, the other 90% being other art installations and otherworldly explorable dimensions). They lead up the creative vision for the store itself, including all the advertisements, products, interior design, music, etc. They are both just persistent fountains of brilliant ideas. My hats off to them, and the hundreds of incredible artists who contributed to the show.

Marquis: What do you hope visitors get out of the Omega Mart experience?

Corvas Brinkerhoff, Meow Wolf Co-Founder and SVP of Experience Design, and Executive Creative ... [+] Director for Meow Wolf Las Vegas

Brinkerhoff:We want to ignite your imagination. We want to create a deep and powerful journey that brings guests to a place of wonder, amazement, and self-reflection. You get there through a wildly meandering series of rooms and experiences beginning with a tripped out grocery story that isalmostnormal, until you look a little closer. From the store, youll find yourself launched into myriad other worlds - a parallel dimension.

We say sell em candy and give em medicine. You know, we want you to be happy and feel like you got something unique and valuable when you fork over some of your hard earned cash. And in that sense, theres something for everybody, whether you're soaking up the jaw-dropping immersive art or diving into the multiple storylines. We want you to come for the spectacular and wondrous, and stay for the mysterious and meaningful.

In the case of Omega Mart, its all about The Source: the source of our creativity, the source of our humanity, the source of our food and possessions, the source of our desires, the source of our light, and the source of our darkness.Its all about The Source.

Marquis: What are some of your favorite products featured at Omega Mart?

Brinkerhoff:Well who doesnt want to be caressed by our Sweet Whispers brand toilet paper? And I personally always prefer using my Plausible Deniability laundry detergent.But my favorite has to be the Nut Free Salted Peanuts. Its 100% salt (Warning: It may contain peanuts.)

Marquis: How was working in Las Vegas on a project like this different than in Santa Fe?

Brinkerhoff:I think weve done work in 10 or 15 cities at this point. Most of that was early days temporary stuff that not a lot of people saw. One thing thats amazing about Vegas is that there are tons and tons of artists, performers, and generally just brilliant creators. Because so many people think they know Vegas when they really just know The Strip, that gets overlooked a lot. We wanted to help shine a light on another side of Vegas, a more authentic and artistic side, which has this wonderful culture and creativity.

One thing that you learn doing work in a lot of different places is that there are artists and powerhouse creative geniuses literally everywhere. They are often undervalued, undersupported, and underrecognized. As a culture, we are so hungry for that creativity and authenticity. We hope that Meow Wolf and, more importantly, our business model can be a force of real and lasting change in the plight of the modern living artist. We dont sell expensive art to rich people. We sell an affordable experience of art to millions of people. This democratizes the process of tastemaking, which allows everyone to determine what is good and valuable in art, not just the super elite.

It would be a shame for Meow Wolf to be the only group using this model to support artists.Fortunately, there appears to be a movement coming up around us. We are so proud and so thrilled to be innovators in this new chapter of the evolution of art.

Beyond the supermarket is Projected Desert, an artificial canyon where psychedelic journeys become a ... [+] reality.

Marquis: Why do you think Omega Mart has seen such a great and immediate response inLas Vegas?

Brinkerhoff:Theres what I can reason, and then theres just the bigmystery. First off, this show is just bonkers. There are combinations of artists, processes, technologies, and mediums that have never been combined before and at a completely unprecedented scale. Its just got a gravity to it that is kind of undeniable. So Id say thats a good start. Our marketing team is really very good at what they do, too. A lot of artists hate the idea of marketing, but for us, everything, every desk in the office, every interaction with our guests, every aspect of our process and organization is part of the artwork. Meow Wolf doesnt just make art, it is a work of art.

Another thing thats helped: we work really hard to empower local artists and activate the community. We want our work to be an embraced piece of the social fabric of the city we are in.We do that because it feels right to us. When opening an exhibition in a pandemic, that local focus turned out to also be a really important way to establish an audience when there werent so many tourists in town.

At this point, we are seeing a lot of tourists in addition to locals. Why do they keep coming? I think it comes down to a hunger we all have regardless of where youre from.We want authenticity.We desire to feel affirmed and elevated in our humanity.Art gives us that. When all of the A.I.s and bots take over, what will be left for us humans? I believe creativity is non-fungible; its our essence; its what we have to offer when everything else is stripped down.When you experience a monument to the creative spirit, such as a Meow Wolf exhibition or a great concert or whatever it may be, it testifies to who we are - the boundless flowing stream of dreams, stories, images, and ideas that all of us continually generate. I think it comes down to this; the experience is fun, new, and inspiring and that makes us feel good because it reminds us of what we already knew to be true about ourselves but might feel a bit disconnected from.

And then, theres the big Mystery.Maybe we should just give all the credit to that. You really cant take credit when something catches the collective zeitgeist. Thats not something you have control over. You just make work and hope that your channel is open and clear. And then maybe if youre lucky youll make something that really connects with other people.

Marquis: How did Meow Wolf navigate opening its second installation in a time during the pandemic when many health and safety restrictions, including reduced capacity, were still in effect?

Brinkerhoff:Leading up to the opening, with so much still up in the air with health and safety restrictions, there was definitely some collective anxiety about opening when we did. But, we decided to lean into it by adding extra layers of safety for our guests and employees, making sure to communicate our efforts effectively as much as possible along the way. We were thrilled to see such strong visitorship and were confident that its due in large part to the hard work of our team in developing and implementing a rigorous health and safety plan.

Marquis: As a B-Corp, Meow Wolf makes a strong investment in its social impact. How is the company working to become a part of the Las Vegas community?

Brinkerhoff:Meow Wolf has always been about giving. From the early days where me and all the OG Meow Wolfers were giving countless hours, days, and years of our lives as volunteers, to the concerts and immersive experiences we gave to our community, to the countless volunteers, supporters, champions, and enthusiasts along the way, this thing was built on the spirit of generosity and doing something bigger than ourselves.

As the company grows and matures and we expand into new cities, we are dedicated to giving back to the communities we inhabit and being not only a good neighbor but a catalyst for positive social change. With that, we look for opportunities to support the art community and local organizations that provide for underserved and often marginalized communities.

Our outreach team in Las Vegas has worked really hard to forge new partnerships and get behind important causes. A few things were doing so far include: donating tickets, merchandise and auction items to non-profit groups and their fundraising efforts; providing monetary and in-kind donations and sponsorships to groups like Communities in Schools of Southern Nevada, the Indian Center of Las Vegas, The Animal Foundation and others; providing volunteer opportunities for our staff to work with organizations like Delivery with Dignity, Vegas Roots, Just One Project, Project150, and others; engaging artists on various community projects to make art more publicly accessible; and much more.

Marquis: Is there anything else youd like to add?

Brinkerhoff:Thank you for helping tell our story. We are dedicated to inspiring profound change in our culture, and Im personally really grateful for your help in getting the word out.

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An Immersive Art And Entertainment Attraction Highlighting The Bizarre, Mysterious And Often Hilarious Nature Of Consumer Culture Thrives During Covid...

PARIS, FRANCE SEPTEMBER 30: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) A model poses backstage ahead of the Coperni Womenswear Spring/Summer 2022 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 30, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by Francois Durand/Getty Images)

Fashion month really is delivering in the beauty stakes right now, with one major highlight being Coperni. The French label, co-founded by Sbastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant, really lent in to the idea of a post-pandemic aesthetic, layering sequinned belly-baring skirts with lashings of lipgloss; itsy bitsy sparkly bikini bottoms with a sweep of lilac shadow it was youthful, zeitgeist-y and a ball of fun (exactly the kind of thing were craving after 24 months of weirdness).

What was so great about Copernis beauty look was that it was achievable and relatable the kind of makeup youd pull together with girlfriends before a night out. Fresh skin with nary a lick of concealer, a touch of sweat shine (preferably from a night spent on the dance floor), smudgy lilac shadow, chunky lashes and an overzealous application of lip gloss.

The lilac shadow in particular felt very of the minute a Y2K/TikTok/Olivia Rodrigo-esque hue that was subtle but shimmered in the right light. Framed with sticky black mascara and a big, fluffy brow, it was simple, playful but perfect against the clothes.

Hair followed a similar suit. The only real common denominator was an expensive-looking shine, but outside of that it was anything goes: thick braids, stick straight, soft movement or wrapped up in a technicolour headscarf. Red hair was definitely a trend to watch, with Gigi Hadid showing off her washed-out, cool-girl copper and another model with a bright auburn hue.

The runway also showed off glossy, bronzed body skin buffed, lacquered and shined to perfection.

It was summer personified (at least, the summer we dream of) and the perfect reference point for all those soon-to-be-had European sojourns.

Scroll on for some of the best runway beauty looks.

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All The Y2K Beauty Details From The Coperni Show In Paris - Grazia

I know, I know, youre probably sick of anniversary journalism, but it must be noted that this week marked the 32nd anniversary of Billy Joels last big hit, the unforgettable We Didnt Start the Fire. Im thinking theres plenty of material for a sequel: January insurrection, COVID-19 detection, Daft Punk, Donald Trump ... I can t take it anymore.

Did someone forward you this email? Sign up to receive this newsletter weekly at inquirer.com/bunch, because the fire will always be burning, while the world is turning.

Yo, Trump voters in rural Ohio diners! Wake up! Its time to put your MAGA hats back on, grind some bitter coffee and wipe the layers of grease off that Formica countertop. The New York Times still desperately wants you, and theyre coming back your way! Like, for the umpteenth time.

That may sound over the top, but I dont know what else to say after learning that Americas most influential newsroom after more than four years of dozens of stories informing its largely left-leaning readers that Donald Trump voters still love Donald Trump is doubling down on efforts to persuade media-bashing right-wingers to like them, and maybe even subscribe.

Thats the take-away from a recent report by Vanity Fairs Joe Pompeo into whats behind this months somewhat opaque announcement from the Times that its launching a high-powered 10-member team, including three prominent journalists, aimed at addressing readers trust in the media, particularly in the so-called Paper of Record itself. Pompeos sources told him the team a top priority for Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger is aiming to sort of win people over with an amped-up effort to teach people how journalism works, to show the rigor we use in preparing our report.

The fact that we have a Supreme Court reporter whos a lawyer, or that we have a medical doctor writing about COVID we know that stuff, but how do we get that across? one Times insider told Vanity Fair, while another added: Its about ensuring that people understand how and why we do what we do.

Pompeos sources said that while the project obviously targets the deep media distrust held by conservatives the kind of folks who go bonkers at rallies when Trump calls the American media enemies of the people it also looks to educate and woo recalcitrant readers on the left, as well as young people or others who tend to lack what journalism professors call news literacy.

Its true that lack of trust in the media is widespread these days, but since the dark morning of Nov. 9, 2016, the Times has been largely obsessed with its seeming failure to understand the Trump movement, but also more weirdly its inability to forge some kind of connection with these huddled masses who seem to hate them. In an anxious moment when the Times core readers and a flood of new digital subscribers looked for leadership to defend truth, science, and the role of a free press, the Times instead dwelled on the question that Sulzberger and top editor Dean Baquet asked in a letter five days after that election: Did Donald Trumps sheer unconventionality lead us and other news outlets to underestimate his support among American voters?

READ MORE: Saving journalisms soul in the Age of Trump | Will Bunch

Thus, the Times dispatched teams of reporters to Trump-ified country diners and coffee shops across West Virginia or Iowa, again and again and again, even though a) these right-wing voters never wavered in their support even after the 45th president did something that looked obviously stupid or corrupt to the cosmopolitan reporter asking the questions and b) no comparable effort was made to survey, say, barbershops in Black Detroit neighborhoods that voted 99% for Hillary Clinton. While its ads appealed for mostly left-learning new subscribers desperate for the truth, Times leaders seemed more obsessed with balance when they hired climate-denying columnist Bret Stephens. When democracy was most under assault from Trumps demagoguery, the Times often seemed to run from the fight.

Instead of learning from those mistakes as we enter the Biden era, the new Times initiative seems to double down on its lost-cause obsession with wooing angry conservatives, like John Cusack holding up that boombox. Why? The crass answer would be money, as the Times which already dominates digital journalism in America with 7 million subscribers, including more in many cities than that citys hometown paper is aiming for a goal of 10 million, which presumably could be reached with some (literal) buy-in from conservatives.

But more important is the Times stuck-in-the-1950s worldview that their self-worth as journalists comes from everyone perceiving them as balanced and fair as opposed to a commitment to uncomfortable truths, regardless of how that might offend some readers. This apparent belief by prominent Times journalists that the public would like them more if they only understood how gosh-darned smart and overqualified its medical or legal reporters are is almost sad in its naivete. It shows that in those 58 months since the Sulzberger-Baquet letter, the Times has learned nothing about the modern conservative moment.

Trump voters dont think the New York Times is an enemy of the people because they dont understand how the newsroom works. They hate the Times because they do understand exactly what they do they just dont like it and because of the elite, condescending tone thats embedded in the just-let-us-tell-you-how-brilliant-and-educated-we-are vibe of its new project.

The Times could save some money and much-needed reporting resources by simply reading a few books like Kathy Kramers The Politics of Resentment, in which her travels across Wisconsin actually defined the zeitgeist of rural rage that so befuddles the Times newsroom leaders. Her research chronicles the anger and the slights felt by voters isolated from the concerns of the so-called professional and managerial elites bureaucrats and, yes, journalists who they feel look down on them. Of course, this resentment also gets wrapped up in problematic ideas about issues like race or immigration that dont jibe at all with the illuminating ideals of journalism.

In other words, not only is there little nothing, really the Times can do to gain the trust of such non-readers, it shouldnt even consider pandering to these instincts in the first place. A truly trustworthy news organization doesnt cater to the concerns of any segment of the public but only to one thing, the truth.

In todays current fraught moment, that means an aggressive and clear-eyed approach to informing that public about the unprecedented threats to American democracy with zero concern about on one hand, on the other hand forms of balance. The irony is that, in doing this, the Times might actually gain a few million new readers from so many Americans who desperately want the earned trust that comes with unvarnished truth, and not a phony, manufactured kind. If the Times still insists on clueless kowtowing instead of rising to this moment, the nations premier news org might be destroying journalism instead of saving it.

The late Bob Marley sang his Redemption Song. Now Robert Kagan the neoconservative thought leader who strongly advocated for the disastrous and immoral 2003 Iraq War is singing his redemption song, in a powerful and timely Washington Post op-ed titled, simply: Our constitutional crisis is already here. Kagan powerfully makes the case that Trump will be the 2024 Republican nominee and that the scheme to reinstall him in the White House by subverting electoral democracy is well underway.

If you follow D.C. politics, you know that this is going to be a nerve-racking week. If you follow the Philadelphia Phillies, as Ive been blessed and cursed to do these last two decades, you know the anxiety levels will be 10 times higher. Beginning Tuesday night in Atlanta (7:20 p.m., on NBC Sports Philadelphia), the Phils need to sweep a three-game series to have any realistic hope of returning to Octobers playoffs for the first time in 10 years. If anyone can make this impossible dream happen, its MVP candidate Bryce Harper. Pennant fever is a hopelessly incurable disease.

Question: What are your thoughts on the filibuster? Via Jean Burke-Spraker (@jburkespraker) on Twitter

Answer: What a well-timed question, Jean. As regular readers know, Ive long opposed the filibuster, which requires a supermajority of 60 out of 100 votes to pass most key legislation in the Senate. Simply put, its an antidemocratic measure that was never intended by the nations Founders, which not only thwarts the will of a popular majority but has most often been used over 200 years to defend white supremacy. (Please read Adam Jentlesons Kill Switch, if you havent already.) This week, the Republicans use of the filibuster to block raising the nations debt ceiling threatening an economic crisis gives the Democrats the perfect moral and timely rationale for ending this curse on democracy.

The Inquirer published an article last week looking in depth at the nine announced or highly likely candidates (eight Republicans, and Democratic Attorney General Josh Shapiro) for Pennsylvanias open governors seat in 2022. One thing jumped off the page all nine of the faces were white men. That might be shocking but for the fact that 47 of the last (checks notes) 47 Pa. chief executives have also been white men. The Keystone State is a hard place, politically but especially for women, whove also never seen one of their own get elected either Philadelphia mayor or to our two U.S. Senate seats.

READ MORE: Can #MeToo politics be the thing that takes down Philly's Democratic machine? | Will Bunch

Just ask Nina Ahmad. A former local leader of the National Organization for Women and Philadelphia deputy mayor with a compelling coming-to-America story, Ahmad has struggled to gain elected office. In 2020, winning a hard-fought Democratic primary on a path to become Pennsylvanias first female auditor general, she hoped to sweep into office with President Biden and Shapiro, only to see voters vanish when they got to her ballot line in the general election. It could have been a demoralizing moment. Instead, Ahmad is back just 10 months later with a new mission: Launching an organization called Equity PAC aimed at promoting not only other women candidates, but those committed to racial and social justice, Ahmad said this week: I know the change we desperately need can happen if we try. In Ahmads home state, those changes are long overdue.

My latest Sunday column was in some ways inspired by those on Twitter who insist the media are being hysterical in writing about the 2020-21 spike in homicides, since overall crimes are down and at historical lows. Really? Some 5,000 more Americans were murdered in 2020 than in 2019, more than the number of U.S. troops killed in the Iraq War. Thats a real crisis, and anecdotally it seems that homicide today is more a matter of rage boosted by too many guns than a question of economics. I argued that means we should think differently about how to fight it.

The threat to American democracy posed by the GOPs Trump-inspired voter suppression and schemes to override future election results is getting very, very serious. Over the weekend, I wrote about one especially pernicious part of the plan an effort to elect or install zealously pro-Trump conspiracy-minded secretaries of state in key battlegrounds ahead of 2024. In Pennsylvania, a new governor in 2023 will choose our new secretary of state, so voters really need to choose the right governor.

When I first moved to the Philadelphia region at the dawn of the 1990s, to say that Philly wasnt a soccer town (despite some remarkable history) would have been a gross understatement. Today, the Philadelphia Union are finally competitive in Major League Soccer and drawing good crowds to their unlikely home in Chester. The Inquirer is blessed with one of the nations top soccer writers in Jonathan Tannenwald. Last week, he covered the long-awaited visit of officials planning the 2026 World Cup with some brilliant insight on whether the worlds premier sporting event will really come to Lincoln Financial Field. Sports and good journalism are two elements of a healthy, livable community. Support good journalism in Philadelphia by subscribing to The Inquirer.

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NY Times cluelessness is wrecking journalism | Will Bunch Newsletter - The Philadelphia Inquirer

In 1974, it was clear, maybeJesus died for somebodys sins but notNew Yorks the city was falling into some sort of adrenalised comic book dystopia. Andy Warhols factory had stepped one toke over the line, and the prelapsarian dream that blossomed from the flowerbed of the sixties was now a ruinous relic like a long-forgotten civilisation that the History Channel will say was built by aliens and abandoned centuries from now. The spirit of the age was gritty tumult and grimy turmoil. Hippy flower power was an old ideal that had been paved over and buried under brutalist architecture. While opiates andChines Rocksreplaced opulent excesses, the only priceless spiritual commodity that the zeitgeist had to offer was poverty.

This feverish despair that had been forecast in a thousand bad acid trips from the decade earlier reflected the disheartening failure of the technological fix to bring about post-war progression. The sprawl of concrete, commercialism and internal decay sunk New Yorks lowly denizens into a plashy mire of crime and punishment. Punk clawed its way out of the darkened depths of degeneracy and never even brushed itself clean after it clambered into a sauntering snarl. Joey Ramone was the bowl cut Frankenstein monster that the cultural New York cocktail shaker had poured out as an emblem of thedisintegration of humanityafter a fair glug ofThe Velvet Underground and The New York Dollshad been slung in there. The place they were serving this most-vile concoction was none other than the CBGBs: The spiritual home of seventies artistic heathenry.

From this one small spot, a complete global culture-changing art form was born. It was, in many ways, a spiritual East Village Acropolis, and it served beer for less than a dollar. From the inside, it would be remembered by photographer Meryl Meisler as a stinking, sultry zenith of youthful revolt where kids werepulsating to the back beatof a defibrillated future. She recalled: Here was this enigma, the CBGB, with crowds all the time, people hanging outside all the time. The place itself, you can almost remember the smell, the smell of beer and whatnot in the room, and it was very interesting. And it also had a significant impact on those scattered around the world merely feeling the seismic reverberations of an almost inadvertent cultural epicentre.

As Moby recalls: When I was growing up, I fetishised New York City. It was the land of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground, it was whereLeonard Cohen wrote Chelsea Hotel, it was CBGBs and all the punk rock clubs. Artists and musicians lived there, and it was cheap and dangerous. And he wasnt alone; for the UK-based punks that the club spawned, it was some sort of spiritual mecca. The club winked like somedangerous flirt, as John Cooper Clarke remarks: Youll hear it from every schlub from my era, but the mythology of CBGBs is unassailable. I saw punk rock as the same strand as[Jack] Kerouac, The Caf Wahand the Greenwich Village thing.

From this fabled holy land came a new artistry, one that reinvigorated music, as Patti Smith remembered:I was young, but I felt our cultural voice was in jeopardy and needed an infusion of new people and ideas. I didnt feel like I was the one. I didnt consider myself a musician in any way, but I was a poet and performer, and I did feel that I understood where we were at, what wed been given and where we should go, and if I could voice it, perhaps it could inspire the next generation. This was the mothering that punk needed, and it was Pattis proliferation of poignancy that catapulted it from cult skylarking to a vital creative voice.

Punk wasnt a movement of apathetic anarchy where riots were the aim of the game, as some would tell you. Take Joey Ramones words for it instead: For me, punk is about real feelings. Its not about, Yeah, I am a punk and Im angry. Thats a lot of crap. Its about loving the things that really matter: passion, heart and soul. As the poignant Patti Smith would concur, it speaks to a higher level, one that both belongs to, and is of art. It transcends the punk platitudes of piss, spit and spikey hair and relishes in need for freedom to create, freedom to be successful, freedom to not be successful, freedom to be who you are.

Things would never be the same after punk, but where is it now? What remains? Where can old romanticists go for a beer-sodden whiff of it? After all, you askthe spirit of Johnny Thunders, and hell tell you straight up that you cant put your arms around a memory. Now, you go to the space where the great CBGBs used to stand and you find a boutique fashion outlet. I walk by it now, and I see no destructive urges. In fact, theres not even a plaque. The same goes for Maxs Kansas City, the old haunt of poets then Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, and the place Debbie Harry served shit steaks its now a deli, as if New York hasnt got enough of them! Even St. Marks Place, the street that styled the unruly job lot,is losing her faceshowing very few pimples of the past.

Is this the sad prognosis of the past?It was a gas, but it had a heart of glass? Well, not quite. Whilst it is disheartening that not much seems to be done to protect the cultural hotspots of the past from the sands of time and the mitts of commercialism, as any patron of the soon-to-be-paved-over Frankies Pizza in Sydney (one of the greatest bars there ever was) will attest or revellers from the defunct Gotham in Newcastle etc. -punks New York legacy is not bound to a place. As Richard Hell said of taking a mired legacy in your stride and looking forward: What other intelligent way to live is there but to laugh about it? The alternative, also respectable, is suicide. But how could you do that? Not only would it betray a woeful lack of humour, but it would keep you from finding out what was going to happen next.

Perhaps what happened next for New Yorks punk scene is that it mutated into the next thing and currently resides in Brooklyn. Therein shows such as Hamilton Leithausers Caf Carlyle residency, or the laid-back folk acts who jaunt into St. Mavies, or the eclectic buzzy bohemian vibes of the Music Hall of Williamsburg and The Bandshell, and Barbs for such nights as the Slavic Soul Party. The scene mightnt be as ardent, but under theMarquee Moonof Manhattans skyline, the buzz of punks bohemian zeitgeist still effervesces, and its certainly worth a visit. If youre on the trail of the CBGB, then Brooklynmust be the place. Long may it stay deli free.

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On the trail of the CBGB: What remains of the New York punk scene? - Far Out Magazine