The issue of fair compensation for writers is a pervasive one. Ed Simon, writing for LitHub, shares his insights on authors like Herman Melville, who balanced literary pursuits with day jobs. Melville, despite having penned works like Moby-Dick, which received lukewarm reviews such as The Boston Post’s claim that it was ‘not worth the money asked,’ took up a methodical government position. His commitment and honesty earned the respect of colleagues, though he never received a raise during his 20-year tenure at the Merchant’s Exchange Building earning $4 daily.
Simon also relates his own brief stint in government, contrasting it with Melville’s long service. After taking his Constitutional oath in January 2020 at the United States Postal Service in L’Enfant Plaza, Simon found himself similarly driven to writing by professional dissatisfaction. This shared experience underscores the necessity of day jobs for many writers.
In a different realm of creativity, a college student who gained attention for his critique of AI art discussed with Colin Warren in The Nation the shortcomings of AI in art creation. The student argues that AI lacks the ability to process criticism and undermines the creative process by reducing it to mere prompt typing, thereby devaluing the work of genuine artists.
Samantha Cole of 404 Media highlights innovative ways designers are circumventing surveillance technologies. By using everyday items like big sunglasses or brimmed hats, people can obscure enough biometrics to lower their biometric matching scores, though the effectiveness of these methods remains uncertain without feedback on their scores.
Laura Jedeed, reporting for Slate, uncovers the lax requirements for joining ICE, raising concerns about the agency’s recruitment and training processes. Her experience at an ICE recruitment event revealed the ease with which dangerous individuals could join, casting doubt on the agency’s ability to safely and effectively execute its mission.
Finally, Helen Pilcher in The Guardian and Willow Defebaugh in Atmos celebrate discoveries in the natural world. Pilcher discusses animal intelligence, such as tool use among polar bears, octopuses, and ‘firehawk’ raptors, challenging human exceptionalism. Meanwhile, Defebaugh writes about the discovery of the ‘fairy lantern’ plant in Malaysia, whose enchanting blooms add to the wonders of biodiversity.
