Dolly Parton, Natural Food, the Birth of the Harlem Globetrotters

A beginner's guide to Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton is an American singer, songwriter, actress, author, and entrepreneur widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in country music history, responsible for writing several songs that have become modern standards, including “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene.” (See a list of her best songs.)
 

Parton was born in 1946 and released her first single at age 13, the same year she performed on the Grand Ole Opry alongside her uncle, Bill Owens. At 20, she began appearing on “The Porter Wagoner Show,” an opportunity that introduced her to millions of viewers and helped propel her solo career. Throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s, Parton became a country superstar and crossed over to the pop charts with several hit singles. She also became a star of the screen, starring in successful Hollywood movies and her own eponymous television shows.
 

Since then, Parton has remained popular, becoming well known for her philanthropy, including a childhood literacy initiative, her theme park, Dollywood, and the continued relevance of her music.

Also, check out ... 

> Before becoming a country superstar, Parton recorded girl-group-style singles. (Listen)

> Her hit duet with Kenny Rogers, "Islands in the Stream," was written by the Bee Gees. (Read)

> Dolly danced with disco in the '70s. (Listen)

> She declined her nomination to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame but was inducted anyway. (Read)

Explore everything else we've found on Dolly Parton. 

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Natural food, 101

Natural food is an umbrella term for food products that have been cultivated with minimal industrial intervention, such as the use of pesticides, additives, and dyes; however, the exact definition of “natural” varies. “Natural food” is sometimes used interchangeably with “health food” and “organic food,” though the latter is a specific standard in the US reserved for products that meet the requirements established by the US Department of Agriculture.
 

The 20th century’s rapid technological changes brought more highly processed foods, which were seen as cheaper and more convenient alternatives to more natural foods. In turn, the 1960s counterculture—inspired in part by Rachel Carson’s 1962 book “Silent Spring”—built a network of cooperatives and communes dedicated to natural foods, which they believed were healthier.
 

Today, natural foods—including organic items as well as vegetarian and vegan dishes—are a part of the mainstream, with major grocers like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s capitalizing on the public’s growing interest.

Also, check out ... 

> JI Rodale helped pioneer organic farming in the US. (Read)

> A nearly complete archive of the Whole Earth Catalog, a hippie guide that contributed to the rise of the natural food movement. (View)

> Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" inspired many in the organic movement, though the writer believed chemicals did have a place in farming. (Read)

> Eccentric TV personality Gypsy Boots helped popularize natural and organic eating. (Read)

Explore everything else we've found on natural food. 

An introduction to the NBA

The National Basketball Association is the highest-level professional basketball league in North America. Today, every NBA franchise is worth at least $1B.
 

Basketball was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith, who hung two peach baskets at either end of a gym. By 1895, the new sport was on college campuses and became an Olympic sport in 1936. The Basketball Association of America was formed in 1946 and merged with the National Basketball League in 1949, creating today’s NBA.
 

When the Olympics allowed professional basketball players to participate in the 1992 Games, Stern used the opportunity to showcase the NBA. The 1992 “Dream Team” won gold and is considered the greatest team ever assembled, helping turn the NBA into an international product.

Also, check out ... 

> The original basketball was hand-sewn. (Watch)

> The first US Olympic basketball team was made up of amateurs from company teams. (Read)

> A new logo helped the NBA stay relevant in the '70s. (Read)

> A sports writer breaks down the genius of NBA star Nikola Jokic. (Read)

Explore everything else we've found on the NBA. 

Cultural Context

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.

> Bob Weir's One Last Saturday Night

The Ringer | Steven Hyden. The legendary frontman of the Grateful Dead died last week, and Hyden, one of the country’s best rock critics, provides a fitting obituary for the pioneering musician. Rather than simply listing Weir’s many accomplishments, Hyden details the unique idiom that he helped create. (Read)

> Searching for Seamus Heaney

The Yale Review | Elisa Gonzalez. Heaney is one of the most respected poets of his generation, responsible for what many consider the definitive translation of “Beowulf” and for winning a Nobel Prize in 1995. Gonzalez, a poet in her own right, goes deep on the Irish bard, seeking out his lessons for a life in letters. (Read)

> OK, OK, OK!

Close Reading | Peggy Rosenthal. The affirmative response, which HL Mencken called “an American masterpiece,” is used so frequently that we rarely question where it came from. Rosenthal expresses her admiration for the term’s curious evolution and its present-day malleability, asking readers to look at a nearly invisible word in an entirely new way. (Read)

> TV as a Lifesaver

The Conversation | Beth Hoffman. Researchers found that TV shows can influence people's responses to emergencies, though they also found that dramatic portrayals of CPR are often inaccurate. Hoffman argues that Hollywood could easily correct that and, in the process, save some lives. (Read)

> The Psychological Horror of Diana Ross' 'Upside Down'

Hearing Things | Andy Cush. Ross’ 1980 track is having an unexpected resurgence thanks to its appearance in the final season of “Stranger Things.” Cush, a critic and a musician, isn’t interested in the Netflix sci-fi show: He instead uses music theory to analyze how the disco classic subverts listener expectations. (Read)

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Best of the Week

We curate hundreds of resources into 1440 Topics each week. Here are some of our favorites from the world of society and culture.

> The opening chapters of bestselling novels are thousands of words shorter than they were in the 1950s.

> Ninety-nine years ago, the Harlem Globetrotters played their first game.

> The Grammy Awards announced a new category for the best album cover, leading us back to some of the all-time greats.

> Benjamin Franklin once wrote a satirical essay about passing gas.

> Hip-hop legends the Notorious BIG, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, and DMX all attended the same New York high school.

> Hollywood dystopias and their real-world locations.

> Tove Jansson's illustrations for "The Hobbit" rankled some of its die-hard fans.

> Country musicians have explored the outlaw archetype on screen.

> Albert Camus' "The Fall" wrestled with thorny existential questions.

> "Saturday Night Live" may have been saved by Eddie Murphy, but the comedian avoided the show for years thanks to a joke made at his expense.

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