A pretty wonky Friday roundup

A nuanced article about the challenges Europe faces in managing immigration while honoring humanitarian imperatives.

Don't justify the presence of minorities in terms of their contribution to society.

Poland, for all its wartime suffering, could stand to confront its own history.

The Middle East's long history of sectarian conflict is somewhat over-spun. So is the sectarian aspect of the ongoing conflict in Yemen.

I cannot overstate the quality and substance of this piece on proliferation potential (or lack thereof) in the Middle East.

How to interact with child (and other) beggars abroad--specifically, acknowledging their humanity without perpetuating the industry--is a really tough issue. I felt awful, most recently in Cambodia, not about not buying things from the child vendors (because you just shouldn't) but for reflexively turning away this one amputee who was making his rounds on this side street (in Siem Reap) full of outdoor cafes. 

I'm impressed with Playboy's response to Megan Murphy.

On a related note--one of not dictating how women own and otherwise manage their bodies and their sexuality--here's a lovely piece on the symbolism of Katy Perry's breasts. The takeaway: we needn't let our relationship with our bodies be limited or influenced by creepy dudes on the street (or elsewhere).

Guys may get all weird about your body. They’ll blame you for reactions they may have to it, act as if it exists for them, tell you to cover it up or show it off, adorn it or keep it plain. Just do what my daughter’s other pal, Taylor, says to do: Shake it off.

Honoring women's supposed superior emotional intelligence, can also be a trap.

The trouble is, there’s no real evidence that women are any more emotional than men. Women can be and often are more expressive of their emotions, but this is again largely due to cultural stereotypes. Men can be as emotional as women, if not more. Many women receive bombardments of violent threats online from men who are upset about her harmless opinions; this is not indicative of a gender that has greater control over their emotions.

What do men value in a partner? It's not always the same things they want for their daughters.

It's okay to have curly hair again! Unless you're on TV (that article, too, speaks to what characteristics "we" value in women). Speaking of hair... I've already written about its treatment in "Bad Jews," and now the Times is on it.


I'm the first to agree that (some) picky eating is unnecessary, but this seems to be a good context in which to point out that there are ethical reasons for not eating animals. On that note, I was re-referred to this piece by the author of a clickbaity piece in Slate that I won't even link to. I don't have the energy to point out flaws in the argument right now, but I will agree that eating one way or another shouldn't be a source of sanctimony. But it's silly to dismiss the environmental benefits of eating plants by comparing the caloric yield of beef versus broccoli. It's also absurd to dismiss those who think differently as dogmatic or anti-science. Besides, Jane Goodall wants you to eat plants.

Did I mention that you don't need dairy?

Yup, Eastern Europeans live with their parents.