everything else i read in march!

this is a good list, trust me!

1. Menstrual Fluid’s Underexplored Medical Treasures

   Byrd Pinkerton discusses the potential medical benefits of studying menstrual fluid, a substance that has historically been disregarded and stigmatized. Menstrual fluid, which is not just blood but a mix of fluids, cells, proteins, and more, is being researched for its scarless healing properties and its potential as a diagnostic tool for conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, uterine cancer, and more. The piece suggests that the increasing number of women in medicine and research, along with growing funding, is slowly changing the landscape of menstrual fluid research. :”) How exciting!!! Such hopeful, inspiring news.

   “Every time that you menstruate, you are creating this gaping wound on the inside of the surface of your womb and your body — without any effort or intervention or medication — heals that, and then does it again … over and over and over again, for years,” Hazard explains, marveling at the body's natural, scarless healing process facilitated by menstruation.

2. “To be online is to be exposed.” How the frenzied loop of living your life online can erode not only your privacy, but also your sense of self. Whew! Taking more breaks from TikTok and Instagram… though the algorithm doesn’t reward it, my body sure does.

3. The Apple Antitrust Case and the ‘Stigma’ of the Green Bubble (No paywall link here)

   The U.S. government is suing Apple. They’re highlighting the company's alleged anticompetitive behaviors, particularly concerning iMessage and its interoperability (or lack thereof) with Android devices. Central to the lawsuit is the argument that Apple's practices, such as creating a social divide between iPhone (blue bubble) and Android (green bubble) users, reinforce Apple's dominance in the smartphone market by making it difficult for users to switch away from iPhones. The piece outlines how this case is somewhat unusual for antitrust litigation, as it delves into the social and emotional impacts of Apple's strategies, beyond the typical focus on pricing and market competition. The Department of Justice is attempting to craft a narrative that Apple's actions not only stifle competition but also have significant cultural and social consequences, emphasizing the "lock-in" effect and the social stigma attached to non-iPhone users. What do you think???

4. With Teeth.

   “Teeth evolve slowly, changing little over generations. They are also hearty and are some of the most likely remains to be preserved. And they have the potential to tell us so much.” On teeth and their important role in archeology, both for society and for ourselves.