How’s everyone’s weekend going? Thanks for spending a portion of it with the Six.
One of the rare joys Saturday of early spring thus far…driving around (and stopping) to witness playing fields filled with kids, coaches and parents.
With temperatures pushing over 80 degrees for the first time in 2022, I did not encounter a single open land or body of water not filled with participants, whether it fishing, dog walking or bike riding. At night, patios and decks filled eaters, drinkers and folks just out enjoying being outside.
Rare sighting of maskers…except when going indoors. A restaurant where I grabbed dinner still requires masking from employees. There remain thousands of these establishments all over Chicagoland, oblivious to the state of public health and grasping on to a pathetic form of cosmetic conditioning.
If the Thai food wasn’t so good I’d stop giving the place my business.
So here’s to the calendar flipping slowly towards summer, so we can stack together days and weeks of outdoor activities.
And not have to be exposed to stupid when we go indoors.
Let’s proceed with the Six.
Why Spotify Dumped the Obamas.
Over the past few weeks, former President Barack Obama has arguably been as visible as ever post-presidency. He was in Chicago at a high profile junket and recently gave a speech at the Stanford University. One of Obama’s missions – calling out unregulated Big Tech and how “democracy will wither” due to endless streams of “misinformation” and “disinformation.” I don’t disagree with Obama on Big Tech’s influence in weakening our democracy through algorithmic conflict, but I’m suspicious of the motives of someone like Obama, who throughout his presidency, went to great lengths to undermine freedom of speech and of the press. This past week, Spotify, which employed the Obamas (Barack and Michelle) for a variety of audio content, did not renew their contract. As the NY Post reports, its due to Spotify’s dissatisfaction with the Obamas, for well, not doing enough speaking. Oh, the irony.
Why NATO Should Say No to Sweden and Finland.
Not long ago conventional wisdom held that American power in the world was visibly declining. Yet now, two of Europe's richest countries, Sweden and Finland, want American security guarantees in the form of NATO membership. How can this be America's problem? From a story in The Responsible Statecraft, "The US should stop adding new members to the transatlantic alliance, and turn Europe’s defense over to Europe.” The articles gives nine reasons why NATO should close the door on Sweden and Finland.
This is a first person piece from a professional scream artist. Yes, screaming is a profession and a desired skill in the film and television industry. Shrieks are used in film and TV when the onscreen actors can't, or won't, give a character's terror the vocal oomph that the director requires. It's a niche skill. Wrote the woman who penned the essay for The Guardian, "I probably scream more on average than the normal person would. There’s something really relaxing about it. After a big day of screaming I feel lighter and brighter.”
The Trouble with Streaming Sports and Everything Else.
Everyone reading the Six has endured this scenario…we hear of a cool-sounding television series from an online review, friend or podcast. We say, ‘I’d like to check that show out.’ Then the obstacle hits – where the heck is it? Trying to find a show in today’s fragmented content industry can be time-consuming and quite frankly, expensive. Clay Travis of Outkick pens this personal essay on his own experience searching for a baseball game for his son (unsuccessfully) and on the uncertain future of streaming.
The Top 50 Comedies Of All Time.
We like our lists on the Six! Esquire does as good a job as any outlet in curating ‘best of’ lists whether it be film, television or music. This ‘Top 50’ is comedy films. A pretty solid list of comedy movies although with glaring omissions – “Blazing Saddles,” “Caddyshack,” “The Hangover” and “Old School” to name a few (somehow a depression-era film named “Duck Soup” got included over “Wedding Crashers.” I came this close to not linking article out over this exclusion and others mentioned). Enjoy reading and streaming a few of these movies you’d forgotten about or deserve a rewatch.
Great White Mauls Boat While At Sea.
This video of a family boating outside of Australia contains authentic screams…not that of a “scream” professional from previous article in the Six. An Australian family got a closer wildlife encounter than expected after a 14-foot great white shark circled their boat — and chomped on their motor several times. Video of the jaw-dropping encounter made waves on social media this week and, most prestigious, earned a link out on the Six.
Thanks for reading everybody and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Have a suggestion for the Sunday Six? Send email to jon@jonjkerr.com
You always give us a well rounded variety of reading! Thank you!