Monday Links for 5.18.2015

Some stories I read in the past week that I found interesting...

The Persistence of Physical Books - as an avid reader, this reflection was right up my alley, and something I related to this past week.  The last several books I've read were on my kindle, and I could feel the desire to read a physical book, to feel the weight in my hands, the texture of the page as it turns.  Anyway, for those that like to read, both on e-readers and in physical pages, this is a worthwhile read, I think.

The Changing Demographic of Religious Affiliation - This past week the Pew Research Center released a study on the religious landscape of the country, which reveals some changes in the religiously affiliated in the U.S. just in the past decade.  I read two pieces, one from The Atlantic and one from the New York Times, and I found it curious how the two papers discussed the same report with slight differences.

Color-Blind Policy and Color-Conscious Morality - from Ta-Nehisi Coates, who is quickly becoming a must read for me whenever he published something.  His writings and reflections make you think, which is what I think any commentator should do.  This, reflecting on the President's (and others) dichotomy of "color-blind policy" and "color-conscious morality," is another thought-provoking, worthy piece.

When the President Comes to Visit - interesting read from the Washington Post on President Obama's recent visit to South Dakota.  What I like - most people in the town aren't individuals who voted for Obama as a candidate, nor supports many of his policies as President; but there was an appreciation for the fact that the President of the United States was visiting, and the office still deserves respect, and the individual in the office still deserves respect, be respectful disagreement when appropriate.  My trouble with politics is what I think of as the vile, personal nature it takes on at times, to the point of ad hominem attacks on the actual individual instead of policies.  With that in mind, this was a cool story to read.

The 2016 Election in Indiana - speaking of politics, good stuff from Matthew Tully at the Indianapolis Star at how the 2016 election in Indiana is shaping up to have many interesting possibilities - primary challenges in both parties for governor, and maybe for the open Senate seat as well.  Will be interesting to follow this in the coming months and into next year.