Inception. We recently watched Christopher Nolan’s 2010 complex thriller Inception as a family and enjoyed it. What I love about Nolan’s films in general is that even when I’m not totally sure I understand what’s going on (here’s looking at you too, The Prestige and Interstellar), the cinematography and overall plots are so rich, immersive, and engaging that I want to keep watching; they get a real grip on you. What I love about Inception in particular is that it’s basically a heist movie wrapped in a philosophical/psychological riddle. You definitely go to sleep the night after you watch it thinking more about your dreams (and remembering more of them in the morning as a result).
History Channel Trivia Game. Our family has been enjoying this trivia game and during our recent snow-in, it turned out to be the perfect cure for cabin fever. The questions hit that sweet spot between challenging and accessible. They’re tough enough to make you think but not so obscure that you feel hopeless. With five different categories ranging from Sports to Science, there’s something for everyone in the family (and the questions aren’t just about history — History Channel is just the brand). The way gameplay is organized is simple and fun, and it moves along and concludes at a faster pace than Trivial Pursuit — perfect for after dinner when you want to do something engaging that doesn’t require a big time investment.
The Paradox of a Man’s Most-Feared Test, the PSA. Now that I’m middle-aged, I’m having to start thinking about prostate cancer. A common screening test for it is the PSA, or prostate-specific antigen. This article dives into how this seemingly simple blood test carries significant psychological and social implications and has become a source of what the author calls “prostate-specific angst” in men. A lot of men (myself included) are ambivalent about the PSA test: you want the test to catch cancer early, but it often leads to a spiral of worry, further testing, and sometimes unnecessary treatment. The author notes that even some urologists feel the same way and avoid the test themselves for that reason; there’s no getting around the complexity of deciding to undergo the test for anyone.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy. The Road is one of my all-time favorite books; I continue to re-read it from time to time to remind myself to carry the fire. So it was great to see my 14-year-old son, Gus, recently pick up the novel for the first time and take in its tale of a father and son traversing a post-apocalyptic landscape. He really enjoyed it, saying it kept him engaged throughout and “packed a lot of meaning into a seemingly simple story.” Make sure to check out my podcast with literature professor Steven Frye about the book.
Over on our Dying Breed newsletter, we published Sunday Firesides: What Would Disappoint Your 16-Year-Old Self About the Current You? and How Understanding the Idea of Social Acceleration Can Help You Make Sense of This Disorienting, Relentless World.
Quote of the Week
Fools measure actions, after they are done, by the event; wise men beforehand, by the rules of reason and right. The former look to the end, to judge of the act. Let me look to the act and leave the end with God.
—Joseph Hall
