Six Great Reads: A Weekly Roundup of Compelling Stories
Looking for something brilliant to read this weekend? Here are six of our favourite pieces from the last seven days, covering topics from science and music to social issues and personal struggles.
1. Bitten by Snakes 200 Times – On Purpose: A Quest for Universal Antivenom
For nearly two decades, Tim Friede, a window cleaner from Wisconsin with no formal scientific training, allowed some of the world's most lethal snakes to bite him in his basement. His goal was to build up an immunity that could one day be developed into a universal antivenom. This extraordinary and painful quest nearly killed the 58-year-old, almost cost him his leg and fingers, and at one point put him into a coma. As the climate crisis increases human-snake interactions, his efforts are poised to help others. In a remarkable interview with Oliver Milman, Friede shared, "People said I was crazy, of course. Some people tried to stop me."
2. Why Are So Many Metal Bands Wearing Masks?
Despite practical struggles and the increased difficulty they bring to headbanging, many of the genre's biggest stars are choosing to wear freaky facial disguises. In this insightful article, Matt Mills looked behind their masks, exploring whether the musicians are hiding behind them or revealing their true nature. The piece delves into the cultural and personal reasons for this trend in heavy metal.
3. Moral Injury: A Unique Stress Affecting Millions of Americans
As part of the ongoing Well Actually series, a former US military psychologist, Michael Valdovinos, talked to Jo Livingstone about moral injury. This is a unique kind of stress experienced when someone is forced to act in ways or witness actions that contradict their most deeply held convictions. In this fascinating interview, Valdovinos explained how moral distress often presents as sadness or feeling like a bad person, highlighting its impact beyond wartime scenarios.
4. The Brutal Reality of Life as a Foreign Student in the UK
Each year, about 400,000 international students are granted study visas to the UK, with universities relying on overseas applicants paying full fees. However, this has given rise to unscrupulous recruiters and left many hopefuls and their families deep in debt. In this great Guardian Long read, journalist Samira Shackle investigated the world of education agents: middlemen paid by universities to find foreign students, shedding light on what some describe as trafficking-like conditions.
5. Jack Whitehall on Poshness, Comedy, and His Lockdown Romance
In an interview with Zoe Williams, actor and comedian Jack Whitehall discussed his background, comedy, and new projects. He said, "I don't do a lot of politics, because I don't think people are interested in the political viewpoint of a public schoolboy. I'd never feel comfortable doing polemic. I think people are exhausted by it." Whitehall is working on a new standup act and about to host the UK's version of Saturday Night Live.
6. A Murder Charge After Easing a Mother's Final Hours
Rachel Waters gave morphine to her dying mother to ease her in her final hours, only to face a murder charge. In a moving interview with Madeleine Aggeler, Waters shared that she now feels on a mission to tell her story so others might avoid a similar nightmare. "I want people to know my story and know who I am," she said. "That is the only way I can achieve justice for my mom."
