Today’s picks
1. Checks and Balance newsletter: Democrats’ nauseous optimism
This Checks and Balance newsletter, by US editor Charlotte Howard, previews what to watch in the final days before the midterms. It examines Democrats’ uneasy optimism and flags the signals, strategies and races that could shape the outcome. A concise guide for readers seeking to understand the closing stretch and its risks.
2. California’s billionaire tax is dividing Democrats
A California ballot measure taxing billionaires has split the Democratic Party, pitting calls to close fiscal gaps and curb inequality against fears of capital flight and electoral backlash. The state’s vote is being read as a national test of how far Democrats can go in taxing the very wealthy, and what it costs them politically. Worth reading for signals on U.S. fiscal and party politics.
3. How your brain can turn your own reflection into something unrecognizable
Staring at yourself in a mirror can produce an illusion that distorts your features until they look fantastical. The article explains how this effect arises from the brain’s perceptual machinery rather than from the eyes alone. It is worth reading because a familiar experience becomes a window into self-face recognition, visual awareness, and the constructive nature of perception.
4. How to ‘fall back’ this weekend without losing your mind
Time changes can disrupt health more than many people realize. This article explains how the end of daylight saving time affects sleep and daily routines, and offers practical tips for a smoother transition. It is worth reading for anyone who wants to adjust without losing sleep or focus.
By publication
The Economist
- Checks and Balance newsletter: Democrats’ nauseous optimism
- California’s billionaire tax is dividing Democrats