Happy Sunday, everyone! Welcome to the Six.
We don’t have many editorial rules here, but one of them is that if there’s a picture of the Pope wearing a baseball cap, we make it the lede.
This picture of Pope Leo XIV was taken earlier this week during a public appearance at the Vatican. The new pope, of course, grew up a Chicagoan and attended a World Series game in 2005. That year, the White Sox were world champions and have not been relevant as a franchise since, well, about a month ago when Robert Prevost became pope.
Said one White Sox player: “Worldwide, baseball is growing a lot more. But in Europe, it’s not very big. So if he’s over there in the Vatican wearing a White Sox hat, maybe all of them will become White Sox fans. Grow the fanbase a little bit.”
I doubt that. Winning more games would grow the fan base. But having a sitting pope praying for you every day can’t hurt.
Let’s proceed with the Six.
PROTEST, USA
Dominating the news cycle this week… mass protests across the country, most notably in Los Angeles. Protestors marched the streets in Chicago, but they’ve paled in comparison to the looting and violence in L.A. It’s fair to question President Trump’s activation of the National Guard and mobilization of the Marines into SoCal. But the opposition is so unhinged and unbalanced, it warrants a new certification level of Trump Derangement Syndrome.
GAINES VS. BILES: EVERYBODY LOSES
In the TwitterX spat of the week… Who saw Simone Biles vs. Riley Gaines coming? The multi-gold medal-winning gymnast instigated a feud with Gaines, a University of Kentucky women’s swimmer who became an activist after losing an NCAA championship event to a man pretending to be a woman. Biles tweeted at Gaines, calling her “a bully” and truly “sick” for defending the reasonable position of allowing only girls to play in female sports. What remains confounding about the trans-in-sports debate is how corporate media types continue to defend the illogical—that boys can compete with girls. But Biles’ semi-mea culpa does signify a slight vibe shift on the issue.
MR. BEAST: MOZART OF THE ATTENTION ECONOMY
How did a 27-year-old man named Jimmy Donaldson amass 400 million YouTube subscribers and become one of the planet’s most popular (and highest paid) entertainers? This compelling piece from The Guardian answers that question in this fascinating piece that untangles the mysteries of the lucrative attention economy. By the end, I came away somewhat convinced that MrBeast is an “avant-garde genius.” What Donaldson truly is, no doubt, is a brilliant marketer who knows how to build an audience. Admittedly, I’ve not watched one of his videos all the way through.
WRITER TRIES MAGIC MUSHROOMS
Behold the psychedelic renaissance! In Colorado, scientists and investors are pushing hard to deliver psychedelic mushrooms to the public. This writer from 5280 Magazine takes readers through a history of the psychedelic movement, with origins tracing back to the 1950s, before deciding he wanted to discover what the shrooms’ alleged healing properties would do for him.
BEACH BOYS SONGWRITER BRIAN WILSON DIES
This was a real bummer this week… Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson passed away at the age of 82. Reports say he’d been fighting dementia for several years. Wilson was the primary singer and songwriter during the Beach Boys’ formidable period in the 1960s, penning such timeless classics as “Surfin’ USA,” “Surfer Girl,” and “Good Vibrations.” It’s amazing to think those songs were written 60 years ago and likely will be streamed (or whatever the music-playing technology is then) 60 years from now. Let’s hope A.I. won’t completely replicate the angelic voice of Wilson, who performed his last concert three years ago. R.I.P. to a true musical legend.
“DOGS AND CATS LIVING TOGETHER… MASS HYSTERIA!”
And finally… with all of the mass protests around the country this week, I thought about what old movie clip would best encapsulate the moment. What else but one from “Ghostbusters!” Watch and enjoy Bill Murray in full Bill Murray comedic genius mode.
Happy Father’s Day to all Six dad readers.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Have a suggestion for The Kerr Report? Send email to jonjkerr@gmail.com.