Good morning. It's Saturday, Nov. 29. Welcome to this week's Society & Culture newsletter. First time reading? Sign up here or click here to share with friends. |
|
|
|
Tomorrow would've been Mark Twain's 190th birthday, so we're analyzing the legendary American writer's influential work—as well as his many misadventures. Then, just in time for another round of leftovers, we have an exploration of Thanksgiving cultural traditions. Finally, we break down the true crime genre to unpack how it became a pop culture phenomenon.
Feel free to get in touch. Want to see something covered? Have ideas on how we could improve? I love hearing from readers, so don't hesitate to send me an email. It's as simple as hitting "reply."
—Kevin Kearney, 1440 Society & Culture Section Editor |
|
|
|
Mark Twain for beginners
Mark Twain was an American writer and humorist. He is considered one of the most important names in American literature, known in particular for “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” a novel that remains both influential and controversial to this day. (Read his work.)
Twain was born Samuel Clemens in Missouri in 1835. His family was poor and, after his father’s death, Twain dropped out of school to begin working at the age of 12. He pursued several jobs before finding success as a journalist and started using his pen name in the 1860s. Not long after, he developed a reputation as a sharp, satirical writer.
Despite producing several bestsellers, Twain went bankrupt in 1894. A subsequent speaking tour reversed his fortunes and cemented his status as one of America’s earliest celebrities.
Also, check out ...
> The pseudonym "Mark Twain" is a nautical reference the author used to cultivate a brand. (More)
> Thomas Edison captured the only known footage of Twain. (More)
> Twain once challenged a rival newspaper editor to a duel. (More)
> An aspiring entrepreneur, Twain had several inventions, including an unsuccessful board game. (More)
Explore everything else we've found on Mark Twain. |
|
|
|
|
In partnership with Rosetta Stone |
|
Learn a New Language for Life |
|
New languages open doors to deeper understanding—of people, cultures, and the world around us. Rosetta Stone offers a research-backed, immersive approach that helps learners build real fluency through context, repetition, and natural discovery.
With lifetime access, you can move between 25 languages, follow your curiosity, and learn at your own pace. Lessons adapt as your skills develop, with intuitive tools that refine pronunciation and reinforce long-term retention. It’s a system built for meaningful, lasting progress.
As the year winds down, it also makes a thoughtful gift for those who “don’t need anything.” Take advantage of their exclusive holiday discount with 60%+ off Rosetta Stone. |
|
Please support our sponsors! |
|
|
|
|
A cultural history of Thanksgiving
The “first Thanksgiving” most often refers to a 1621 meal between the Pilgrims and the native Wampanoag people, though historians have uncovered earlier examples, including Spanish colonists who celebrated alongside the Seloy tribe in Florida in 1565 and Virginia settlers who took part in "a day of thanksgiving to Almighty god" in 1619.
The holiday spread throughout the 19th century, though its date was not fixed until 1863, when Abraham Lincoln declared a national Thanksgiving Day for the final Thursday of November. In 1939, Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday forward a week in an attempt to extend the Christmas shopping season. In response, some called the day "Franksgiving." He returned the holiday to its original date in 1942.
In addition to its history and traditional food, the holiday has become associated with football, marked by rivalry matchups at the high school, college, and professional levels.
Also, check out ...
> Lincoln's decision to create the holiday was inspired by an 1852 novel by Sarah Josepha Hale. (More)
> Thanksgiving's connection to football goes back to a 1876 game between Princeton and Yale. (More)
> Explore early Thanksgiving documents, from recipes to early proclamations. (More)
> Elephants from the Central Park Zoo marched in Macy's inaugural parade. (More)
Explore everything else we've found on Thanksgiving. |
|
|
|
|
True crime, 101
One of the most popular podcast genres in the US, true crime refers to factual narrative retellings of criminal cases pulled from real life. The style of storytelling has a rich history, stretching back to at least the medieval era.
The genre's modern era is typically traced to the 1966 publication of "In Cold Blood," a nonfiction narrative novel by American writer Truman Capote that details the 1959 murder of a family in America's heartland. The arc of true crime media turned audible after the success of the podcast "Serial," launched in 2014.
Outside of its ability to influence criminal proceedings or lack thereof, true crime crawls into the painful crevices carved into the lives of those who remain: survivors and victims' friends and families.
Also, check out ...
> Podcasts like "Serial" and "In the Dark" have influenced legal proceedings. (More)
> Ted Bundy's 1979 murder trial was the first to be nationally televised. (More)
> A professor breaks down how to ethically consume the genre. (More)
> True crime broadsides were popular in 19th-century England. (More)
Explore everything else we've found on true crime. |
|
|
|
|
Beyond our weekly deep dives, we love finding great takes on the culture currently shaping our lives. Here are some of the best reactions, profiles, and think pieces we encountered this week.
> Which TV Show Has the Best Coaching Tree?
The Ringer | Alan Sepinwall. This isn't another ranking of the best TV shows of all time. Instead, Sepinwall analyzes something far more interesting: the shows that bred excellent writers. It's not only good fodder for an argument; it's also an encyclopedic exploration of how TV came of age. (Read)
> TikTok's Black-Market Parrots
Rolling Stone | Rene Ebersole. African grey parrots have become unexpected TikTok stars, known for whistling songs and telling jokes. Influencers looking for a reliable gimmick have grown interested in the birds, creating a thriving industry of poachers looking to meet demand. (Read)
> The Pickle Problem
SF Gate | Andrew Pridgen. Pickleball is the fastest-rising sport in the US, but it's not without its controversies. Chief among them is noise, which Carmel, California, a wealthy enclave on the state's central coast, is looking to remedy with a ban on the sport, which would be the first in the state. (Read)
> Science Fiction or New Technology?
NY Times | Casey Michael Henry. Dystopian literature is no longer relegated to the page, with innovations like the Tesla Cybertruck and Meta virtual reality headsets mirroring the aesthetics of texts like "The Running Man" and "Neuromancer." Henry argues that the images from these works might remain, but their satire has faded. (Read)
> The High Priest of DMT
The MIT Press Reader | Graham St. John. Terence McKenna is one of the American psychedelic movement's figureheads, famous for his lectures about the drug DMT, which he claimed transported him to another dimension. St. John unpacks the moment that turned him into a psychedelic evangelist. (Read) |
|
|
|
|
In partnership with Rosetta Stone |
|
The Gift of Language That Keeps Giving |
|
Please support our sponsors! |
|
|
|
|
"I am not an American, I am the American." |
|
|
Behind the Name. In 1440, the printing press sparked a knowledge revolution. We carry that spirit forward, cutting through the noise and algorithm-driven feeds, to bring fact-driven knowledge to everyone.
Want to connect with 4.5 million insatiably curious minds? Become a 1440 partner here. |
|
1440 Media 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1212 Chicago, IL 60654
Copyright © 2025, 1440 Media, All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
