John Cox

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www.gq.com

How to Get Shredded the Right Way

Getting visible abs requires reducing body fat to around 12% through a balanced approach combining strength training, moderate calorie deficit (around 500 calories), adequate protein intake (1.6g per kilogram of body weight), cardio, and consistent sleep—not through extreme methods like crash diets or starvation. Results typically appear within four to nine weeks, with noticeable changes visible after four to six weeks, though the timeline depends on individual factors like genetics and starting body composition. The safest method prioritizes progressive strength training, whole foods, and patience rather than the drastic weight-loss tactics used by elite athletes preparing for competition.

Permalink nutritionfitnessweight losstags

www.self.com

7 Legit Ways to Improve Your Gut Health, According to GI Doctors

While gut health has become a wellness obsession fueled by social media and a booming supplement industry, there's actually no single formula for a healthy gut—it varies significantly from person to person. Rather than relying on pills and potions, gastroenterologists recommend proven lifestyle habits: eating plenty of fiber and diverse plants, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, managing stress, getting adequate sleep, and using antibiotics only when necessary. These everyday practices support the growth of beneficial bacteria and the gut-brain connection that influences everything from digestion to mental health and immune function.

Permalink nutritionhealthwellnesssleep

www.newyorker.com

An Ancient Guide to the Good Life

# Summary This essay explores why Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, repackaged as a modern self-help guide called "How to Flourish," ultimately disappoints readers seeking actionable moral rules—and why that disappointment reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of Aristotelian ethics. Aristotle's central insight is that becoming a good person (developing phronesis or "good judgment") requires lived experience, habit, and the wisdom of well-lived lives rather than algorithmic principles or formulaic advice. The essay argues that contrary to contemporary culture's hunger for rules and shortcuts, genuine ethical wisdom comes only through slow, repeated practice within a community of experienced people—a truth evident in everything from cooking to the internet's "Am I the Asshole?" forum, where strangers help one another see situations clearly.

Permalink philosophyethicsself-helptags

www.wired.com

Palantir Employees Are Starting to Wonder if They’re the Bad Guys

Palantir employees are increasingly breaking with the company's culture of internal debate to openly question leadership over its deepening ties to Trump-era immigration enforcement and military operations, including ICE deportation work, alleged Maven surveillance involvement in a deadly Iranian strike, and CEO Alex Karp's public rhetoric on AI and voters. WIRED documents a year of escalating internal Slack revolts, deleted message logs, contentious AMAs with privacy staff, and a fascism-tinged company "manifesto" that together suggest a genuine identity crisis at a firm founded partly to prevent post-9/11 civil-liberties abuses. Worth keeping as a granular, sourced account of how a secretive, non-disparagement-bound workforce is nonetheless cracking under Karp's unapologetic embrace of controversy.

Permalink technologyaiprivacypolitics

www.wired.com

This Is Why You Should Try Ultralight Backpacking (2025)

A personal, practical case for ultralight backpacking that traces the movement's roots to Mark Jenkins' 1994 "Less is More," then lays out a working definition (10-pound base weight or less), the "Big Three" gear priorities (pack, sleep system, shelter), and a needs-versus-wants framework for cutting stuff. It argues ultralight is less about gear obsession than a mindset shift—eating separately from camp, cowboy camping, trying quilts—that ultimately makes the whole backcountry experience less burdensome and more enjoyable.

Permalink hikingcampinggeartags

stag2.wired.com

What Is Down Fill Power (2026): Fill Weight, Synthetics

Down fill power measures the loft—cubic inches of volume—produced by one ounce of down, indicating quality rather than quantity; higher fill power means larger down clusters that trap more air and retain more body heat. However, fill power alone doesn't determine warmth; you must also consider fill weight (the amount of down used), baffle construction (which keeps down in place), and the space available for down to expand, since a high fill power jacket with minimal fill will be no warmer than a lower fill power jacket with more down. Understanding the combination of fill power and fill weight gives you a meaningful way to compare different down products for warmth-to-weight ratio, especially when shopping for sleeping bags where these differences become significant.

Permalink geartagsbackpackingsleeping bags

www.cntraveler.com

The 9 Best Cities in Mexico: CDMX, Guadalajara, and Beyond

# Mexico's Best Cities Beyond the Capital Mexico City remains the cultural epicenter with over 150 museums and a packed annual calendar highlighted by Art Week in February, jacaranda season in March, and Day of the Dead festivities in October, but the country offers numerous other destinations equally worthy of exploration. Guadalajara has emerged as a rising creative hub hosting major art galleries and the influential International Book Fair, while also serving as the gateway to tequila distilleries and hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Mexico City and Monterrey. Oaxaca, Mérida, La Paz, San Miguel de Allende, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Campeche, and Taxco each offer distinct experiences—from Oaxaca's exceptional culinary scene and pre-Hispanic archaeology to Mérida's slower pace and cenotes, Baja California's celebrated gastronomic offerings, colonial charm in San Miguel de Allende, Mayan heritage in San Cristóbal, coastal tranquility in Campeche, and silver craftsmanship in Taxco.

Permalink foodculturetravelmexico

www.gq.com

17 Essential Shoes for Men in 2023: Sneakers, Loafers, Boots, Dress Shoes, and More

This is a comprehensive buyer's guide categorizing men's shoes by type and occasion, from formal dress shoes like Oxfords and brogues to casual sneakers, boots, and slip-ons, with specific product recommendations for each style. The piece explains the practical differences between shoe categories—such as how brogues were originally designed with drainage holes for wet terrain, or how Chelsea boots feature elastic panels for easy fastening—while suggesting when and how to wear each type. It serves as a practical reference for building a versatile shoe wardrobe, whether for specific occasions or everyday wear.

Permalink footwearfashionshoppingtags

www.self.com

Eco-Conscious Tips: 8 Habits to Start to Live More Eco-Consciously

The piece outlines eight practical daily habits individuals can adopt to reduce their environmental impact, including reducing food waste, avoiding single-use plastics, eating more plant-based meals, composting, buying secondhand clothes, researching eco-conscious brands, walking or biking instead of driving, and conserving water. While acknowledging that individual actions alone won't solve systemic environmental problems, it frames these changes as meaningful personal contributions that collectively matter. The article emphasizes that reducing consumption and reusing items are more effective than buying new "green" products, though it includes guidance on choosing sustainable brands when purchases are necessary.

Permalink sustainabilitywatertagsclimate

www.newyorker.com

Among the Insurrectionists at the Capitol

Trump's incitement drove thousands to the Capitol on January 6th, where the author witnessed white supremacists, militia members, conspiracy theorists, and QAnon adherents breach the building, ransack offices, and threaten lawmakers—a culmination of months of false election claims amplified by right-wing media, politicians, and figures like Alex Jones and Nicholas Fuentes. The riot was not spontaneous chaos but the predictable apotheosis of a coordinated disinformation campaign that exploited pre-existing grievances about lockdowns, demographic change, and perceived persecution to radicalize a substantial portion of the Republican base into believing that violent resistance to the "deep state" was justified. The author documents how conspiracy theories, white Christian nationalism, and the GOP's cynical accommodation of Trump's power grab have created an ecosystem where millions remain insulated from factual correction and primed for continued insurgency beyond Trump's presidency.

Permalink politicstagsdonald trump

www.gq.com

The Great Buenos Aires Bank Heist

# Summary On January 13, 2006, seven thieves staged a bank robbery at Banco Río in San Isidro, Argentina, that captivated the nation as police and media surrounded the building for hours—all while the gang quietly escaped through a tunnel dug from underground storm drains, having emptied 143 safe-deposit boxes of nearly $20 million in cash and valuables. Mastermind Fernando Araujo spent years planning the perfect heist, recruiting an engineer to construct the tunnel, a negotiator to distract police, and specialists to crack the boxes, designing every detail to be a flawless work of art that would leave no evidence. The gang was eventually caught through an impulsive betrayal by one member's wife, but have since become folk heroes in Argentina, publishing books, consulting on films, and openly discussing their crime as a masterpiece now that the statute of limitations has expired.

Permalink historycrimeadventuretags

www.gq.com

The Best Cognac to Stock in Your Home Bar (at Every Budget)

Cognac, often unfairly perceived as pretentious, has a rich history beyond its snooty image—from being embraced by Black servicemen in WWII France to becoming central to hip-hop culture and appearing at family celebrations across America. The article explains that Cognac is a specific type of brandy from the Cognac region of France, classified by aging time (VS for at least two years, VSOP for at least four, XO for ten or longer), with younger expressions being bright and fruity while older ones develop complexity and warmth. Expert recommendations cover Cognacs for every occasion and budget, from affordable everyday bottles like Cognac Park VS to premium options, plus guidance on selecting Cognacs for specific cocktails or for drinkers transitioning from whiskey.

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www.gq.com

Lisa Feldman Barrett Says Your Brain Doesn't Work the Way You Think It Does

Lisa Feldman Barrett explains that the brain functions primarily as a prediction machine that constructs your reality rather than passively receiving it, drawing on past experiences to anticipate what will happen next—a process so rapid it enables feats like hitting a baseball but also shapes everything from how you perceive wetness to how you experience emotions. She argues that emotions aren't reactions to external events but are actively constructed by your brain based on learned concepts, and that understanding this gives you greater control over your future experiences and actions, since today's experiences become tomorrow's predictions. This framework has profound implications for how we understand responsibility, stress management, and the power of emotional granularity—having precise concepts for different feelings allows your brain to construct them more specifically and guide your actions more effectively.

Permalink psychologytagsbrain

www.gq.com

6 Best Wine Glasses in 2022 That'll Elevate Your Favorite Vino

Wine glasses matter more than most casual drinkers realize, but the "best" glass depends on your budget and commitment level: serious enthusiasts swear by Austrian-made Zalto glasses for their paper-thin construction and scientifically angled design, while budget-conscious drinkers can get solid performance from Riedel options at half the price. The article emphasizes that you don't need wine-specific glass shapes for home drinking—a good universal glass that aerates wine and keeps it cool is sufficient—and includes recommendations for everything from textured and stemless glasses to vintage options and decanters for those wanting to invest further.

Permalink accessorieswineshoppingtags

www.gq-magazine.co.uk

Paul McCartney: 'I was thought to be the guy who broke The Beatles up'

This is an extensive interview with Paul McCartney conducted during the 2020 lockdown, covering his reflections on The Beatles' reunion through Peter Jackson's documentary, his prolific solo career that he argues is equal to much of his work with the band, and his evolving relationship with fame over six decades. He discusses how he was initially reluctant to acknowledge his Beatles past but has grown more openly nostalgic, while defending his controversial lawsuit against the band that was necessary to save their catalog from manager Allen Klein, and reflecting on depression, self-doubt, and the difference between 1960s fame and today's social media-driven celebrity culture.

Permalink historymusictagsbeatles

www.cntraveler.com

How Iceland Is Rethinking Tourism for the Long Haul

Iceland is shifting from rapid, volume-based tourism toward a more sustainable model by spreading visitors across the country and encouraging longer stays rather than quick trips. The government increased tourism spending by 40 percent during the pandemic to build infrastructure at popular sites, launched new regional routes like the Westfjords Way to distribute foot traffic, and introduced a remote worker visa (requiring at least $88,000 annual income) to attract higher-spending visitors who won't overwhelm the landscape. The strategy aims to balance economic growth with environmental protection by leveraging Iceland's greatest asset—abundant, undeveloped space—while protecting delicate ecosystems that suffered from overtourism before 2020.

Permalink sustainabilityremote worktraveltags

www.cntraveler.com

15 Best Hotels in Napa Valley for Vineyard Views, Geothermal Pools, & Outdoor Tubs

This is a curated guide to 15 luxury and boutique hotels across Napa Valley, selected by Condé Nast Traveler editors for their design, location, service, and sustainability practices. The recommendations range from wellness-focused retreats like Okaeri Calistoga (a Japanese-inspired adults-only sanctuary) and Bardessono (a LEED Platinum eco-luxury property) to classic wine country estates like Auberge du Soleil and modern properties like the Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley. Each entry provides specific details about room types, amenities, dining options, and the property's character to help travelers choose based on their priorities—whether they're seeking a romantic hideaway, a family-friendly resort, or proximity to wineries and restaurants.

Permalink travelwinehotelstags

www.cntraveler.com

The 9 Biggest Wellness Travel Trends of 2026

This is a trend-forecast roundup for wellness travel in 2026, arguing that after years of hyper-optimized biohacking the pendulum is swinging toward sociable, low-tech, sensory experiences—group saunas with aufguss performances, DJ-infused spa clubs, star-bathing and desert retreats, mah-jongg and gardening workshops instead of pure fitness. It also flags women's health (especially menopause) and multi-generational/family programming as major growth areas, citing specific properties like Canyon Ranch's new Women's Collective, Scorpios' hotel-nightclub hybrids, and Six Senses' family fitness offerings. Worth keeping as a scouting list of specific hotels, retreats, and destinations to consider booking or referencing for a wellness trip.

Permalink wellnesstraveltagslongevity

www.self.com

Type 1.5 Diabetes: The Overlooked Condition You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

This piece explains LADA, or "type 1.5 diabetes"—an autoimmune condition that mimics type 2 diabetes in adults but, like type 1, eventually destroys the pancreas's insulin-producing cells and requires insulin therapy. It's frequently misdiagnosed as type 2 because it develops slowly and initially responds somewhat to oral medication and lifestyle changes, delaying proper treatment and risking dangerous blood sugar complications. The article details diagnostic clues (lower BMI, family history of type 1, treatment-resistant blood sugar) and the antibody/C-peptide blood tests used to confirm it, underscoring why pushing for the right test matters if standard type 2 treatment isn't working.

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maxwells.github.io