Hello Ratking Sighting Supporters,
Things are getting real folks. And what a cruel mistress fate is; just as we’re preparing for the most exciting NBA playoffs in years, the league is shut down for public health reasons. It’s the right move, but still sad and heaped on top of all the other obvious negatives going on right now. Take my eyes but not my basketball! Anyways, here’s some sweet, sweet links to read while you’re “working” from home. P.S. I’m going to make that joke every week until this is over, so get ready.
Why The US Sucks At Building Public Transit
Gimme Dat Synopsis Quickie:
Ever been curious why Europe and Asia are straight up eating our lunch when it comes to quality of public transportation? Well it's your lucky day because this very in-depth article addresses all the pitfalls that come with public transit development in the United States and why things aren't better.
And A Quote From The Article Please:
We will never build good transit until we jettison the century-old misconception that it is a business the government happens to run out of necessity. Rather, public transportation is a public good on its own merits, good times and bad. Allowing people to move about their cities cheaply, efficiently, and quickly makes cities more productive and better places to live and has numerous knock-on public health, environmental, social, and economic effects. Public transit funding ought not to be a response to any crisis. It ought to be as natural a government service as trash collection.
And Tell Me Why I should Care:
The public transit problem in the United States isn't just a public transit problem. It's a microcosm of all the issues we have: federal vs state vs local, bureaucracy, propaganda, funding, environmental issues, labor issues. Sure a homeless person might spit in your face in the subway every once in a while, but that could happen in your car too. Public transportation is good for the world and it’s not even debatable. A good and very informative read that I'd recommend if you've ever wondered why we're not better.
What Does It Really Cost To Run A Restaurant?
Gimme Dat Synopsis Quickie:
The chef behind popular Boston restaurant Mei Mei has a unique strategy of running her restaurant in which she keeps her books completely open to her staff creating a culture of transparency and accountability. In this she shows just how hard it is to run a damn restaurant.
And A Quote From The Article Please:
For a restaurant, there are a few goal ratios associated with the major expense categories. Ideally, most operators aim to see COGS and direct labor together at 60 percent (at Mei Mei they target 20 percent and 40 percent, accordingly) and other expenses at 30 percent, leaving you with 10 percent profit. She then explained that independently owned restaurants most often hang out in the 4 to 6 percent range for profit.
And Tell Me Why I should Care:
You probably eat at restaurants all the time and don't really think about how darn hard it is to actually run one. These things are money pits and have so many hidden costs you would think anyone who actually opened one was a crazy person. So show a little more appreciation next time you eat at your local dining hole. And please tip well you cheap bastards. Also, PSA, support your neighborhood Chinese restaurants right now, they’re struggling.
All The Ways I Failed Miserably Trying To Live Plastic-Free For A Week
Gimme Dat Synopsis Quickie:
A writer for the LA Times chronicles his week trying to go without plastic. It is, as you can imagine, not easy and there are quite a few hiccups along the way.
And A Quote From The Article Please:
Even at farmers markets, strawberries come in green plastic trays. So after paying the young woman at the register, I dumped the berries into the jar and returned the unneeded plastic. The glassware I brought was big enough for only half the berries, leaving the rest to roll around loose in my tote. I laughed at my rookie mistake as regulars milled effortlessly through the rows of greens filling reusable cloth mesh bags with watercress and kale.
And Tell Me Why I should Care:
Plastic is not a good thing. We can all agree. But it does have its place. Going plastic free is nearly impossible because of how our current system (literally any type of system you want to choose) is designed. The biggest take away from this is that each of us should highlight areas in our life where we can do a little better; it doesn't have to be all or nothing, but there should be an effort. Like, for example, start picking up your dog's poo with your barehand, you're wasting a lot of plastic bags! But seriously cut back.
Interesting Things That You May Or May Not Care About
This is what a small seaside surfing community looks like as it recovers from the tsunami and Fukushima disaster a decade ago.
Here’s the richest person in every state. They all have something in common. I’ll let you guess what it is.
For you interior design nerds out there, a look into how colors change how we perceive spaces. Not sure how much this will help those of us living in New York shoe boxes though. No color combination will help when your closet is also your kitchen, which also happens to be your bathroom.
I’ve Been Wondering Where That Thing Went!
A short look into the world of Big Foot Believers. I don’t know what there is not to believe: I seent the dude in the Jack Link’s Beef Jerky Commercials! An entertaining and kooky read.
Wayne’s World star Tia Carrere didn’t exactly have the easiest road before she made it, nor after her big break. If you’ve recently thought “hey what happened to her?” - well here you go.
The Billion Dollar NBA JAM arcade game and how it plays into the Hot Hand Fallacy (or reality of it, depending on what you believe).
Ugh Fine. I Guess I’ll Have A Corona Section This Week.
The psychology behind why we panic buy when things aren’t going so hot. Don’t forget to stock up on booze too. Isolation can get boring.
A writer at Vox talked to a bunch of experts on how this whole thing can possibly play out. From best case (yay summer helps!) to worst case (a lot of sick MF’ers).
Italy is on lock down right now. And of course they are still fighting about… pasta superiority.
China is also on lockdown, of the information kind, so people are hacking the system by setting their Tinder location to Wuhan in order to get the real scoop. These relationships are probably best kept text based at the moment, however.
Stuff You Might Want To Buy, But I Don’t Really Care If You Do Or Not
The Only NY ss2020 collection is pretty baller. Get yourself some nerdy looking clothes that are actually cool. Cause branding and stuff ya know.
A new app called Glimpse that sets up 2 minute video calls for you to stay in touch with friends and get introduced to others. Keep it short and sweet so you can stay connected without worrying how you’re gonna get that one friend to stop talking. This actually might be too on the nose for the coming months.
Just in case you wanted an IKEA and Pizza Hut collab on a lifesize version of the tiny tables that normally hold your pizzas together.
Lists Are What The Internet Was Made For!
100 Women of the Year
An awesome project from Time in which they highlight a woman of the year from every year since 1920. Up until 1999 it was always Man of the Year and even when it became Person of the Year it was still overwhelmingly men, because our world is messed up. So here’s some super awesome women.
Music Is Cool To Listen To
Long standing soul and R&B singer Swamp Dogg (no relation to Snoop) just came out with a new album that is delightful. Even features Justin Vernon on a track.
If You Were Forwarded This Email And Like It
“In our best estimation one of the best preventative measures for the Covid-19 virus is reading The Breads” — Totally legit CDC announcement
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