Last One

TRAVEL

Mangia, Mangia!

By MATT GROSS

Published: April 11, 2010

In Italy, home cooks invite strangers in to eat, and eat some more. Why go to a restaurant when you can taste the real thing?

Article Analysis:

Over the course of the semester I have become more withdrawn from the idea of 'hard news'. My best day will never be someone's worst day. I will never be able to grip a camera and watch as someone suffers, carefully adjusting the ISO or the shutter speed. One thing, however, has remained constant: my love for travel. I could read travel articles all day long. I am enamored by the idea of going somewhere new and writing about how beautiful people can be, how wonderful (or terrible) the food can taste and how the air smells when it rains.

My words can flow from my fingertips when I am in the mood. If I had just eaten an amazing home-cooked Italian meal in Italy, I could write ten thousand words.

Do Not Fear Losing a Hand

BUSINESS

Grabbing Gracefully, With Replacement Fingers

By ANNE EISENBERG

Published: April 9, 2010

A Scottish company’s motorized prosthetic fingers bend so that the user can more easily pick up a piece of paper, dial a cellphone or hold a glass of wine.

Article Analysis:

Great quote at the end. A perfect quote to tie that story together. The writer was very lucky.

Druuuuugsss duuuuudddeee.

SCIENCE

Hallucinogens Have Doctors Tuning In Again

By JOHN TIERNEY

Published: April 11, 2010

Scientists are studying the drugs’ potential for treating mental problems and illuminating consciousness.

Article Analysis:

If I can be frank; LSD and psilocybins's definitely cured my depression. Amazing article. It hit home with me, and is a testament to the fact that the NY Times is fucking brilliant.

Yay, for human contact!

Health
Well: Surprisingly, Family Time Has Grown
By By TARA PARKER-POPE
Published: April 5, 2010
A new study shows that parents are spending more time with their families than did parents of earlier generations.

Article Analysis:

Meh, not my favorite. Loses momentum at the end.

Smiling with Her Eyes

Health
Seeking Emotional Clues Without Facial Cues
By BENEDICT CAREY
Published: April 5, 2010
People with facial paralysis have no trouble reading others’ expressions, a study finds.

Article Analysis:

Audio slideshow trumps article. Maybe it's because you are hearing her "voice"...literally.

Foster Children Foster Bad Futures?

U.S.
Study Finds More Woes Following Foster Care
By ERIK ECKHOLM
Published: April 6, 2010
Problems like unemployment, crime and poverty follow many young people after they “age out” of the foster care program.

Article Analysis:

The article flows nicely till the last sentence; though it does seem a little like an infomercial. "Adopt this law now, and get your money matched for free!"

Hearing from an over 21-year-old foster kid gave the story a bit more depth. Though it would have been nice to hear from a girl. Or hear from someone who turned out well? I realize stories need to have an angle, but it is nice to get the full circle.

I Feel Lucky to Live in a Fire Safe Nation

World
Emergency in Kyrgyzstan as Police Fire on Protesters
By CLIFFORD J. LEVY
Published: April 7, 2010
Large antigovernment protests broke out in the capital and riot police fired on crowds that tried to storm federal buildings, killing at least 17 people.

Article Analysis:

I love these "story articles". They flow nicely and have a definite beginning and definite end. Sometimes I felt like I was reading a war novel. Nicely done.

I am realizing more and more how much I love the NY Times. I think I might be their biggest fan... Now if only I can get them to hire me as a travel writer...