Losing My Perspicacity, July 12, 2024

Happy Free Friday! Welcome back to Losing My Perspicacity, the newsletter where I empty out my brain at the end of the day and send it all to you via email while watching old episodes of Parks & Rec.

Speaking of Parks & Rec, I have two children currently employed by a suburban parks department and, frankly, the stories they tell about interacting with the public would fit right in with the show. Why are so many people so emotionally dysregulated these days? Has it always been this way? One of my kids is in a highly public-facing job, and the things people say to him daily (not to mention the things people do in public buildings) are absolutely wild. Lelise Knope was a saint.

Before we get to the news, I’m trying to avoid going back to work for yet another media outlet owned by private equity that will restrict what journalists can write about and continually extract resources from the company while laying everyone off. I know that’s a tall order, but if you like LMP, you can help by upgrading to a premium subscription. You’ll get LMP in your inbox five days a week, and you’ll also get access to the comments section. LMP is entirely funded by subscriptions from readers like you, and I’m grateful to everyone who has already subscribed.

Today, what to make of Joe Biden’s NATO press conference, a legal ruling the NCAA is going to hate, Obama is aware of memes, The Killers know what their audience wants, and Jürgen Klopp will pass on coaching USMNT.

Here we go.