“What ISIS really wants,” The Atlantic
Graeme Wood’s article may be eight months old, but in light of the Paris massacre, it’s worth reading or re-reading. The vast majority of the world’s Muslims reject ISIS, Wood writes, but that doesn’t mean it’s not deeply Islamic — focused on returning to the religion’s earliest days and preparing for the coming apocalypse. — Joel Kramer, editor & CEO
“Why Did the Killers Target the Eagles of Death Metal Concert?” Slate
This article doesn’t actually answer its headline’s question, though it offers some plausible ideas. But it does describe the band’s music and the subtle humor in its name, a subtlety that the author points out “violent fundamentalists are not well-positioned to appreciate.” — Susan Albright, managing editor
“One man’s hard lesson after the Eiffel Tower’s darkness was mistaken for a moving tribute,” The Washington Post
In this quick read, The Washington Post’s Dave Weigel dissects one tweet that went viral — a photo of the Eiffel Tower gone dark, supposedly for “the first time since 1889.” But the tweet was from a well-known, obvious parody account, and the Eiffel Tower has, in fact, gone dark many times in its history. But tens of thousands of people on the Internet were none the wiser, lapping it up as they have many images/tweets/posts meant to add to the historical poignance and gravity of tragic events — accurate or not. It’s about a good a piece as I’ve read to date on the sad meme-ification effect social media now has on tragic events. — Sam Brodey, Washington correspondent
“Is Daesh/ ISIL a modern Raiding Pirate state?” Informed Comment
After the attacks in Paris, experts are left reassessing just what ISIS/Daesh really is: what had formerly been accepted as a territorial movement with ambitions to statehood suddenly looked more like the stateless, internationally focused al Qaeda. The University of Michigan’s Juan Cole offers a new lens for analysis: that Daesh is a pirate army, taking refuge in desert islands and making raids — locally and farther abroad — for resources and prestige. If we take Cole’s metaphor to be true, at least for the sake of argument, the interesting next question becomes: if Daesh are pirates, what strategy would work best to defeat them? — Tom Nehil, news editor
“The fate of SeaWorld’s ‘Shamu’ show was forecast by the very first whale performers,” The Washington Post
As a kid living in Western Washington at the time, I remember the excitement that surrounded the first ever capture and display of an orca — then referred to only as killer whales — on the Seattle waterfront. This Washington Post article by Sarah Kaplan tells of the capture of Namu 50 years ago, and how it led directly to the now-discredited SeaWorld shows. — Peter Callaghan, local government reporter
“Playing God,” The Walrus
Richard Kelly Kemick is a twenty-five year old man with a wife, a 396-square-foot basement apartment and a miniature Christmas village that resides on his parent’s dining room table. This piece is a riveting first-person glimpse into the life of a rabid collector. But it’s also an extremely personal examination of Kemick’s quarter-century of life, from secretly selling his wife’s clothing to purchase miniatures, his worthless art degrees, and realizing his “Christmas village — bustling with eighteen buildings, more than sixty people, and countless accessories — is probably the most impressive thing I’ll do with my life.” — Corey Anderson, web editor
“Scientists have figured out what makes Indian food so delicious,” The Washington Post
Indian food holds a mysterious power over me — say the words “naan” and “tikka masala” and I think of little else until my next opportunity to over-order from Gandhi Mahal. Luckily, as this Washington Post article explains, my self control is not to blame but rather the unique flavor profile combinations seen in Indian recipes. This is a fascinating exploration of the molecular makeup of Indian dishes and their appeal to the average eater. — Bethany Hollenkamp, office manager
