Pocket Future

Pocket-Worthy Reads

Stories to fuel your mind

The Guardian

Can My ‘Inner Child’ Help Me Navigate Life as an Adult?

People on TikTok are exploring the idea of ‘reparenting’ their younger self. Could I reconnect with mine?

Narratively

Smokin’ Cy DeVry Was the Original Tiger King

How a cigar-chomping, bear-wrestling bricklayer became the unlikeliest celebrity-influencer of the early 20th century—and changed zookeeping forever.

Bloomberg Businessweek

How an Unknown Chinese Phonemaker Took Over Africa

Shenzhen Transsion Holding has spent years building devices to cater to African consumer tastes.

MEL Magazine

A Gooey and Delicious History of Mac and Cheese, a Meal Once Fit for a King

Ever heard of the fabled land of Bengodi, where they roll macaroni noodles down a mountain of parmesan cheese, straight into your mouth?

Nautilus

Why Water Is Weird

What makes water unique among liquids?

Women’s Health

It Feels Like Flight Anxiety Is At An All-Time High—These Strategies Can Help

We spoke to experts about why this happens and what we can do about it.

The Marginalian (formerly Brain Pickings)

The Measure of a Life Well Lived

Henry Miller on growing old, the perils of success, and the secret of remaining young at heart.

Quartz

Doing Well in School Is Nothing to Be Proud Of

The pursuit of knowledge is definitely worth it, but don’t get tied down focusing on grades.

Literary Hub

Looking Back on the Magical Mystery Series ‘Pushing Daisies’

It had everything: homemade pies, murder mysteries, touchless romances, and waking the dead.

CityLab

The Case for the Humble Garbage Disposal

From a waste-management perspective, the in-sink tool punches far above its weight.

BBC Future

How to Use Anxiety to Your Advantage

From “eco-anxiety” to “FOMO”, modern life seems a stressful place to be. But psychologist Tracy Dennis-Tiwary explains why the emotion can be a good thing.

Atlas Obscura

A Quiet Revolution in Botany: Plants Form Memories

Inside a quiet revolution in the study of the world’s other great kingdom.

Popular Collections

Curated guides to the best reads on the web

Pocket Collections

The Art of Navigating Thorny Office Politics

From bad bosses to gossipy colleagues and, of course, office refrigerator drama.

Today’s Pocket Hits

Friday, August 22

NBC News

At Europe’s Melting Glaciers, Signs of Climate Peril Are Everywhere

Europe’s glaciers are shrinking faster than anywhere else on Earth, leaving behind unstable landscapes.

The New York Times

Why Magic, Dragons and Explicit Sex Are in Bookstores Everywhere

Romantasy is propping up the fiction market. Thanks to a generation that grew up reading about a boy wizard.

The Ringer

Stop AI-Shaming Our Precious, Kindly Em Dashes—Please

Human writers have always used the em dash. In fact, it’s the most human punctuation mark there is.

HuffPost

A ‘Microcation’ Is the Smartest Travel Trend You Can Actually Afford

Experts share the secrets to enjoying a quick, refreshing change of scenery without draining your wallet or burning through your vacation days.

AFAR

The “Great Migration” in East Africa Is One of the World’s Greatest Spectacles. But Will Tourism Ruin It?

One guide’s viral social media post is forcing the safari world to confront the pressure that tens of thousands of tourists put on East Africa’s most iconic wildlife event.

The Guardian

‘I Went From World Champ to Mopping Floors’: Colin Cummings, the Greatest Air Hockey Player of All Time

The Hawaii-based Cummings is hoping to parlay his family’s air hockey dynasty into a more prominent future for the sport.

The Guardian

The Power of Pulses: 15 Easy, Delicious Ways to Eat More Life-Changing Legumes

Worried about rising food prices, your diet’s carbon footprint or whether you’re eating healthily enough? Believe it or not, there could be a magic bullet: pulses.

Variety

‘Frankenstein’s’ Gamble

‘Frankenstein’ stars Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac discuss the $120 million movie and spending 10 hours in makeup to play a monster with daddy issues.

What I Didn’t Expect About the Adoption Process

Becoming a parent is a big decision, and making the decision to not parent is even larger.

CNBC

Doing These 5 Key Steps ‘Will Allow You to Move Quickly’ for a Mortgage Refinance, Expert Says

As mortgage rates decline, experts say it’s smart for homeowners with high borrowing costs to prepare for refinancing opportunities. Here’s what to know.

Business Insider

Spotify Is Soaring, but Its Ad Business Is Floundering. Here’s Why.

Spotify has said its ad business has been moving too slowly. Ad insiders say it has lots of catching up to do.

Business Insider

For Googlers, the Pressure Is on to Use AI for Everything — or Get Left Behind

Google has been ramping up pressure for employees to use AI tools. Staff say it’s a ‘no brainer’ for getting ahead at the company now.

Halle Bailey Has a Mantra for Postpartum Depression: “You Are Meant to Be Here”

Halle Bailey makes it look easy, but she’s struggled with postpartum depression too.

Real Simple

Want to Maximize ROI on Home Renovations? Don’t Overlook These Potential Dealbreakers

Designers say these are the most important considerations to factor in when renovating.

Vox

Why Ukraine Won’t Just Give up Its Territory

The future of the country’s borders is more than just a real estate deal.

The 19th

He Graduated Early to Get Gender-Affirming Surgery Before College. Then His Hospital Cut Him Off.

Months before his first class at Carlow University, Lee, a 17-year-old in Pennsylvania, found himself without a provider.

The Conversation

Why People Embrace Conspiracy Theories: It’s About Community, Not Gullibility

Far from being isolated outsiders, conspiracy theorists enjoy thriving communities that recruit and organise activism.

BBC

How Europe’s Oldest Language Ended up on US Trees

The US’ Basque immigrants turned to sheepherding in order to survive. Today, their legacy can be found in unique wooden tree carvings they left throughout the American West.