Edition #5: I Have A Fun Idea For You
Plus, the breastfeeding father, the rise and fall of sex dolls, and dining in the dark
A Note from the Editor
During the much-needed Thanksgiving break this past week, I was chatting with my siblings about all of the dumb things we did when we were kids. I told a story about a music video I made in elementary school-- I was standing on the ledge of our nonworking hot tub, the kind that flows into the pool, and passionately lip-syncing a TLC song.
The song lyric was 'Go Go Jason Waterfalls', or more widely (re correctly) known as "Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls". This got us talking about all the song lyrics we've misheard but still belted shamelessly over the years. "It doesn't make a difference if we're naked or not" from Bon Jovi's 'Livin on a Prayer' and "I can see clearly now, Lorraine is gone" from Johnny Nash's 'I Can See Clearly Now'. These lyrical mix-ups happen more often than I thought, here's the proof.
So here's an idea for you- during the next family gathering where you don't want to talk politics or answer intrusive questions from your distant relatives, play a game that I just made up. Everyone writes down a few song lyrics they've misheard over the years and the papers go in a bowl. Each person picks out a paper, reads it out loud to the group and tries to guess who wrote it. **The group collectively laughs by the crackling fireplace, you bond with your grouchy grandmother and suddenly the holidays are pure magic again**
Cheers my dears. What lyrics have you misheard over the years?
Three Pieces of Content Worth Consuming:
The Year of the Breastfeeding Father. What was your initial reaction when you read that headline- did you flinch, roll your eyes or giggle? Society may not be ready for a breastfeeding father (new mothers may feel differently), but a transgender woman assigned male at birth breastfed her child for six weeks thanks to a cocktail of milk-producing hormones. Imagine how different parenting dynamics would be if breastfeeding was a two-person job. Imagine a man and a woman bonding over shared breastfeeding shame! Welcome to 2020, folks.
Never Have I Ever Had Sex With a Sex Doll. She's warm, she moans, she breathes, she self lubricates-- and she's programmed with Artificial Intelligence. This $30k sex doll causes as many problems as she prevents; she may promote sexual violence (think West World robots) or she may curb illegal prostitution and sex trafficking. It's too soon to tell if these lifelike dolls will ever be in the mainstream, but my question is where are the sex dolls for women? And how would their design and functionality differ from these dolls?
Is Capital Punishment Making a Comeback? I have strong political opinions on most issues, but before reading this article I can't say whether I firmly stood on one side or the other regarding the death penalty. On December 9th, six men are scheduled for the first federal execution in 16 years, and a former Republican attorney general makes a case for why the executions shouldn't happen. Most interesting anecdote: "There is a widespread misconception that the death penalty is some sort of “gold standard” with a careful process producing justice for crimes affecting national interests, such as terrorism."
Perhaps You Should...
Try Enjoying a Multiple Course Meal in the Dark
Trying enjoying a multiple course meal in total darkness. This isn't the start of a low budget Netflix horror film, it's a unique dining experience meant to heighten your sense of taste and smell. How it works: show up, get blindfolded, indulge in whatever is on your plate (each course comes with a wine pairing), and try to guess what you're eating. This feels like the cooler-than-average Christmas gift or a thing to do when your adventurous parents come to visit.
(Ridiculous) **Holiday Bonus Content**
Nothing says "the holidays are here" like overindulgence. Meet the Penthouse Holiday Spectacular, a hotel suite that puts Home Alone 2 to shame. Equipped with a private ice skating rink, your own serenading Julliard trained pianist, a four-course Jean Georges meal, a PRIVATE RENDITION OF THE NUTCRACKER (performed en suite by the NYC ballet), a dedicated team including a driver, nanny, butler, massage therapist and Santa, helicopter transport to and from the airport and more. Take a guess how much this experience costs, and let me know how close you got.
A Quote From A Book You Should Read:
"You will make fun of me if I say when Simma did this crying-while-smiling thing-- I can see her face illuminated by the cupped flame as she lit another cigarette-- it was like that beautiful kind of weather when it's raining even though it's sunny, which is I guess the effect of the wind blowing rain from clouds some miles away"
-The Topeka School by Ben Lerner
This newsletter is best served with a side of conversation, so drop your opinions, reflections, and thoughts in the comments below and let’s get to talking.
Or, share the most thought-provoking piece from today’s edition with someone you love, then call them up to discuss, debate, and percolate. As a wise woman once said, “Great minds discuss ideas.”