The Navigator, Saturday, December 14, 2024

De-civilization, drones over New Jersey, dumbed-down Catholicism, Time's person of the year—and more

Illustration by New Rules Media.

There’s a general sense of fear and uncertainty that’s taken hold in the U.S. this week following the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and its subsequent aftermath, the mysterious drones that appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, off the coast of New Jersey, and the ongoing transition to the second Trump presidency. It’s been hard to process everything that’s happening.

Amid the turmoil, there’s an opportunity to focus on the resilience and determination that defines so many of us. Communities across the country continue to come together in acts of kindness and solidarity, finding ways to support one another through challenging times. Grassroots initiatives are flourishing, conversations about unity and shared purpose are gaining momentum, and moments of joy—whether found in a neighbor’s smile or the warmth of a helping hand—serve as reminders that even in the face of uncertainty, hope and compassion can prevail.

As always, thank you for including us in your regular readings. Please keep the conversation going by leaving a comment below, and let us know what you’d like (or need) us to investigate next.

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De-civilization May Already Be Under Way (The Atlantic)

The brazen murder of a CEO in Midtown Manhattan—and the cheering reaction to his execution—amounts to a blinking-and-blaring warning signal for a society that has become already too inured to bloodshed.

Drones over New Jersey and other U.S. cities should be ‘shot down, if necessary,” U.S. senator says. (The Associated Press)

Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut called for mysterious drones spotted flying at night over sensitive areas in New Jersey and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region to be “shot down, if necessary”—even as it remains unclear who owns the unmanned craft.

‘Dumbed-down” Catholicism was a disaster (The Atlantic)

America’s most watched bishop, Robert Barron, is scouting out a new future for Christianity.

Most Americans Feel Good About Their Job Security but Not Their Pay (Pew Research Center)

Younger and lower-income workers are among the least satisfied with their jobs; majorities say it would be hard to find the kind of job they’d want if they were looking today

Time Magazine’s interview with Donald Trump, named its 2024 Person of the Year (TIME)

President-elect Trump, in his cover story interview with the magazine, shares a ready explanation for his improbable resurrection. “The country was angry,” he said, and it wasn’t just the MAGA faithful. Trump said he harnessed deep national discontent about the economy, immigration and cultural issues, and “saw a nation ready to smash them.”

The tax penalty on married women hiding in plain sight (Vox)

Millions would be better off if the US changed its joint filing system.

Dollar Stores Are Flashing a Warning Sign About Lower-Income Consumers (The Wall Street Journal)

Such businesses are reporting increasing signs of financial strain among their customers

The five-minute city: inside Denmark’s revolutionary neighbourhood (The Guardian)

While ambitious urban planners try to make 15-minute cities a reality, the Nordhavn district of Copenhagen has gone one better. What’s life like when everything you need is just a stroll away?

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