30-Second Read

How to Eat Peanut M&M’s

Some stuff on the internet is important. Other stuff is silly. Today, for the first time ever, we offer something important AND silly.

Jeff Gauger March 27, 2025

Azeem Azhar’s Exponential View. Long, deep discussions about technology’s impact on business and society. Spotify Apple

Death, Sex & Money addresses the three topics we’re most uncomfortable talking about. Spotify Apple

Decoder Ring explores cultural questions, objects or habits to figure out what they mean and why they matter. From Slate magazine. Spotify Apple

Grammar Girl offers helpful and fun information about grammar and words in usually under 20 minutes. They’re perfect for your drive home from work. Spotify Apple YouTube

History Extra Podcast. Produced by BBC History Magazine. Interviews with historians. Multiple episodes each week. Spotify Apple

History Unplugged. Produced by historian Scott Rank with more than 400 episodes. Spotify Apple

The Next Big Idea. About books and ideas in the social sciences. Spotify Apple

Hard Fork. Smart, witty, informative conversation and interviews about tech. Spotify Apple YouTube

Moon Rocks on My Pizza, Please

Moon Rocks on My Pizza, Please

By Jeff Gauger on March 20, 2025

I "ordered" breakfast in bed. Her response showed how to say "no" to a fool.

Executive Order DysFUNction

Executive Order DysFUNction

By Jeff Gauger on March 13, 2025

And He Lumbered Back Onstage

And He Lumbered Back Onstage

By Thomas Gunning on March 10, 2025

A Tidy Bed of Hope

A Tidy Bed of Hope

By Jeff Gauger on March 6, 2025

Debacle at Washington

Debacle at Washington

By Don Luoma on March 3, 2025

A News Survival Guide

A News Survival Guide

By Jeff Gauger on February 27, 2025

Joy on My Doorstep

Joy on My Doorstep

By Jeff Gauger on February 20, 2025

Winter Refuge

Winter Refuge

By Thomas Gunning on February 17, 2025

I shoulda listened in school

I shoulda listened in school

By Jeff Gauger on February 14, 2025

Moonshine Blue

Moonshine Blue

By Thomas Gunning on February 11, 2025

When hate wins

When hate wins

By Jeff Gauger on February 8, 2025

Kindness deserts: a rising concern

Kindness deserts: a rising concern

By Jeff Gauger on January 30, 2025

The technology boondoggle

The technology boondoggle

By George Cranford on January 26, 2025

More craft than art: “11tips to improve your writing,” from 30-Second Read. With both text and video.

Your first editor: “How to Edit Your Own Writing,” by Harry Guinness for The New York Times.

Word nerd delight: Jeremy Butterfield’s deep, rich, smart blog about grammar, word use, word histories, confusing words, more. Loads of fun word arcana.

Ellen is at the Grammar Table: Bluesky account devoted to grammar questions and philosophy. Author of the book “Rebel Without a Clause.”

Grammar Girl, a podcast, offers helpful and fun information about grammar and words in usually under 20 minutes. They’re perfect for your drive home from work. Spotify Apple YouTube

How to fix bad sentences: Confused by dangling modifiers? Stumped by passive voice? Author June Casagrande offers precise advice.

Role model: “What I learned about writing from reading Greta Thunberg’s speech to the U.N.,” by Roy Peter Clark for the Poynter Institute.

Writing tips: From Lexico.com, the Oxford Dictionary web site, for writing letters, speeches, job applications, more.

The hardest part of writing . . .: Advice for starting, delivered in cartoons by Grant Snider in The New York Times.

Priceless lessons: A sixth-grade English teacher offered advice about writing and life that Catherine Rampell remembers still. Practical and inspirational.

Apostrophe Protection Society. It’s for real, and it’s both serious and fun. Based in the United Kingdom.