Cognoscenti
@cogwbur.bsky.social
We are the ideas and opinion section of @WBUR, Boston’s @NPR station. We share stories that make you feel part of something bigger.
Reposted by Cognoscenti
Essay: Seasonal affective disorder was clinically recognized by psychiatrists in the mid-1980s, but the link between the seasons and our moods has been observed for millennia — one article I read on the topic referenced a Chinese text from 300 B.C., writes Cloe Axelson.
The winter blues are here again
Seasonal affective disorder was clinically recognized by psychiatrists in the mid-1980s, but the link between the seasons and our moods has been observed for millennia -- one article I read on the top...
www.wbur.org
November 17, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Essay: Seasonal affective disorder was clinically recognized by psychiatrists in the mid-1980s, but the link between the seasons and our moods has been observed for millennia — one article I read on the topic referenced a Chinese text from 300 B.C., writes Cloe Axelson.
Reposted by Cognoscenti
Having a child with Down syndrome has been an irrational, unprovable good. In a world of increasing mechanization, measurement and merit, we need people like our daughter among us to return us to our humanity. Grateful to write for @cogwbur.bsky.social
www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/...
www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/...
What prenatal testing can't tell you
Having a child with Down syndrome has been an irrational, unprovable good, writes Amy Julia Becker. In a world of increasing mechanization, measurement and merit, people like my daughter can help retu...
www.wbur.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Having a child with Down syndrome has been an irrational, unprovable good. In a world of increasing mechanization, measurement and merit, we need people like our daughter among us to return us to our humanity. Grateful to write for @cogwbur.bsky.social
www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/...
www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/...
Seasonal affective disorder was clinically recognized by psychiatrists in the mid-1980s, but the link between the seasons and our moods has been observed for millennia — one article I read on the topic referenced a Chinese text from 300 B.C., writes Cloe Axelson. spr.ly/633227eqRw
The winter blues are here again
Seasonal affective disorder was clinically recognized by psychiatrists in the mid-1980s, but the link between the seasons and our moods has been observed for millennia — one article I read on the topic referenced a Chinese text from 300 B.C., writes Cloe Axelson.
spr.ly
November 17, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Seasonal affective disorder was clinically recognized by psychiatrists in the mid-1980s, but the link between the seasons and our moods has been observed for millennia — one article I read on the topic referenced a Chinese text from 300 B.C., writes Cloe Axelson. spr.ly/633227eqRw
Clean energy resources -- specifically solar, wind, and battery storage — are the most affordable and quickest sources of energy to build today, even after Trump repealed federal support for these technologies. spr.ly/633287kVgk
To make electricity more affordable, we need more clean power
Texas is hardly the paragon of climate policy, but its energy prices are lower than the national average because it generates so much power from wind and solar, write Mindy Lubber and Natalie Treat. We can lower electricity costs in Massachusetts by investing more in renewable energy.
spr.ly
November 17, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Clean energy resources -- specifically solar, wind, and battery storage — are the most affordable and quickest sources of energy to build today, even after Trump repealed federal support for these technologies. spr.ly/633287kVgk
We asked best-selling poet Kate Baer to answer our 16-question version of the Proust questionnaire: "What is your greatest fear?" "What is your idea of perfect happiness?" "On what occasion do you lie?" Read her answers on Cog's Substack. spr.ly/633287kVIm
The Proust Questionnaire: Kate Baer
[Perfectionism is] the roadblock for so many wonderful things: new hobbies, long careers, fun house parties, sustainable mothering
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November 16, 2025 at 12:29 PM
We asked best-selling poet Kate Baer to answer our 16-question version of the Proust questionnaire: "What is your greatest fear?" "What is your idea of perfect happiness?" "On what occasion do you lie?" Read her answers on Cog's Substack. spr.ly/633287kVIm
When it comes to preserving and amplifying Indigenous culture, it’s not enough to understand history, writes Vanessa Lillie. We must also ask: who’s doing the telling? spr.ly/633217ns05
Indigenous heritage is an ongoing story
Being a citizen of the Cherokee Nation has long shaped how I see history, writes Vanessa Lillie. And as a writer, I realized how I could use story to share history and explore questions of colonization, both past and present.
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November 12, 2025 at 9:42 PM
When it comes to preserving and amplifying Indigenous culture, it’s not enough to understand history, writes Vanessa Lillie. We must also ask: who’s doing the telling? spr.ly/633217ns05
"Poverty has a thousand faces," writes Joanna Rakoff. "The medical resident who bandages your burn at the ER. Your barber, mailman, Amazon delivery person, or, of course, your old friend, working furiously to keep up appearances." spr.ly/633217Pv6x
Someone you know relies on SNAP. They just don't talk about it
Two years before she went on public assistance, Joanna Rakoff had a best-selling novel that won literary awards. She presented like a middle class working mom. But in reality, she was struggling — worried about feeding her kids and keeping a roof over their heads.
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November 7, 2025 at 7:02 PM
"Poverty has a thousand faces," writes Joanna Rakoff. "The medical resident who bandages your burn at the ER. Your barber, mailman, Amazon delivery person, or, of course, your old friend, working furiously to keep up appearances." spr.ly/633217Pv6x
Disposing of sewage in a the Charles is technically illegal under the Clean Water Act, writes Frederick Hewett. Variances offered by MassDEP since 1998 were supposed to buy time to fix the problem, not become a perpetual permission slip for pollution. spr.ly/633257zwNW
Mass. authorities want to give up on solving the Charles River's sewage problem
The Charles River is a "Class B" river, meaning that it's suitable for boating and swimming, writes Frederick Hewett. But now authorities want to downgrade it so they don’t have to solve our sewage problem.
spr.ly
November 7, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Disposing of sewage in a the Charles is technically illegal under the Clean Water Act, writes Frederick Hewett. Variances offered by MassDEP since 1998 were supposed to buy time to fix the problem, not become a perpetual permission slip for pollution. spr.ly/633257zwNW
When I showed up for a surf session with Gnome Surf — a nonprofit that offers surf therapy to kids of all abilities and their families — I figured I’d get a wave or two to tide me over till next season, writes Cog editor Sara Shukla. What I got was a lot more. spr.ly/633257zbKc
Surfing is for everybody
When I showed up for a surf session with Gnome Surf — a nonprofit that offers surf therapy to kids of all abilities and their families — I figured I’d get a wave or two to tide me over till next season, writes Sara Shukla. What I got was a lot more.
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November 5, 2025 at 12:03 AM
When I showed up for a surf session with Gnome Surf — a nonprofit that offers surf therapy to kids of all abilities and their families — I figured I’d get a wave or two to tide me over till next season, writes Cog editor Sara Shukla. What I got was a lot more. spr.ly/633257zbKc
The Charles River is a "Class B" river, meaning that it's suitable for boating and swimming, writes Frederick Hewett. But now authorities want to downgrade it so they don’t have to solve our sewage problem. spr.ly/633297zwIS
Mass. authorities want to give up on solving the Charles River's sewage problem
The Charles River is a "Class B" river, meaning that it's suitable for boating and swimming, writes Frederick Hewett. But now authorities want to downgrade it so they don’t have to solve our sewage problem.
spr.ly
November 4, 2025 at 4:03 PM
The Charles River is a "Class B" river, meaning that it's suitable for boating and swimming, writes Frederick Hewett. But now authorities want to downgrade it so they don’t have to solve our sewage problem. spr.ly/633297zwIS
We can’t hack our way through grief, writes Evy Peña. It’s meant to be lived, carried through our choices and our rituals. spr.ly/633277G1Rh
Death is the boundary that gives love its shape
What many misunderstand about Día de los Muertos is that it isn’t a celebration of death, nor a denial of how much it hurts, writes Evy Peña. It’s a way to make space for grief — for the ache and joy that cohabit in remembrance.
spr.ly
November 1, 2025 at 1:03 PM
We can’t hack our way through grief, writes Evy Peña. It’s meant to be lived, carried through our choices and our rituals. spr.ly/633277G1Rh
Bruce Springsteen and I have nothing in common, writes Kate Neale Cooper. Still, I hear echoes of my own struggles in his lyrics. spr.ly/633207Dxf0
Bruce Springsteen has kept me company for decades
I have no idea what made me ask for Bruce Springsteen’s new boxed set for Christmas in 1986, when I was 14, writes Kate Neale Cooper. But I do know my life was never the same.
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November 1, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Bruce Springsteen and I have nothing in common, writes Kate Neale Cooper. Still, I hear echoes of my own struggles in his lyrics. spr.ly/633207Dxf0
Few people can claim their birth informed the ending to one of the 20th century’s most iconic novels, writes Tom Putnam. But that was the case for Patrick Hemingway, who died recently at the age of 97. spr.ly/633247G1pq
Remembering the last — and perhaps favorite — of Ernest Hemingway’s sons
Few people can claim their birth informed the ending to one of the 20th century’s most iconic novels, writes Tom Putnam. But that was the case for Patrick Hemingway, who died recently at the age of 97.
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October 31, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Few people can claim their birth informed the ending to one of the 20th century’s most iconic novels, writes Tom Putnam. But that was the case for Patrick Hemingway, who died recently at the age of 97. spr.ly/633247G1pq
Breast cancer research saved my life, writes Kelly Cervantes. My daughter, who had epilepsy, wasn't so lucky. All too often, it felt like Adelaide’s medical team was throwing darts at a treatment board. They missed every time.
October 31, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Breast cancer research saved my life, writes Kelly Cervantes. My daughter, who had epilepsy, wasn't so lucky. All too often, it felt like Adelaide’s medical team was throwing darts at a treatment board. They missed every time.
What many misunderstand about Día de los Muertos is that it isn’t a celebration of death, nor a denial of how much it hurts, writes Evy Peña. It’s a way to make space for grief — for the ache and joy that cohabit in remembrance. spr.ly/633297G1PR
Death is the boundary that gives love its shape
What many misunderstand about Día de los Muertos is that it isn’t a celebration of death, nor a denial of how much it hurts, writes Evy Peña. It’s a way to make space for grief — for the ache and joy that cohabit in remembrance.
spr.ly
October 30, 2025 at 10:16 PM
What many misunderstand about Día de los Muertos is that it isn’t a celebration of death, nor a denial of how much it hurts, writes Evy Peña. It’s a way to make space for grief — for the ache and joy that cohabit in remembrance. spr.ly/633297G1PR
I have no idea what made me ask for Bruce Springsteen’s new boxed set for Christmas in 1986, when I was 14, writes Kate Neale Cooper. But I do know my life was never the same. spr.ly/633297Dx4D
Bruce Springsteen has kept me company for decades
I have no idea what made me ask for Bruce Springsteen’s new boxed set for Christmas in 1986, when I was 14, writes Kate Neale Cooper. But I do know my life was never the same.
spr.ly
October 29, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I have no idea what made me ask for Bruce Springsteen’s new boxed set for Christmas in 1986, when I was 14, writes Kate Neale Cooper. But I do know my life was never the same. spr.ly/633297Dx4D
I never deliberately set out to raise a daughter attuned to death. But given my professional background, perhaps it was inevitable, writes Anita Hannig, a cultural anthropologist who studies the end of life.
My toddler likes to talk about death. So do I
I never deliberately set out to raise a daughter attuned to death. But given my professional background, perhaps it was inevitable, writes Anita Hannig, a cultural anthropologist who studies the end of life.
spr.ly
October 27, 2025 at 1:34 AM
I never deliberately set out to raise a daughter attuned to death. But given my professional background, perhaps it was inevitable, writes Anita Hannig, a cultural anthropologist who studies the end of life.
My daughter’s fascination with death is neither cartoonish nor gratuitous, writes Anita Hannig. It stems from a place of deep curiosity. 'I like graves because I like the people in the graves,' she tells me. spr.ly/63320ACFvQ
My toddler likes to talk about death. So do I
I never deliberately set out to raise a daughter attuned to death. But given my professional background, perhaps it was inevitable, writes Anita Hannig, a cultural anthropologist who studies the end of life.
spr.ly
October 23, 2025 at 9:59 PM
My daughter’s fascination with death is neither cartoonish nor gratuitous, writes Anita Hannig. It stems from a place of deep curiosity. 'I like graves because I like the people in the graves,' she tells me. spr.ly/63320ACFvQ
It can be easy to forget pain that is no longer present in our lives, writes Jodie Noel Vinson, who suffered for years with long-COVID. Now, every fall, she's eager to get the latest COVID vaccination. But that was more complicated this year. spr.ly/63323AAccV
The COVID vaccine is health care. And a way of remembering
It can be easy to forget pain that is no longer present in our lives, writes Jodie Noel Vinson, of the four-year battle with long COVID she and her husband endured. Now, every fall, she's eager to get the latest COVID vaccination. But that was more complicated this year.
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October 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM
It can be easy to forget pain that is no longer present in our lives, writes Jodie Noel Vinson, who suffered for years with long-COVID. Now, every fall, she's eager to get the latest COVID vaccination. But that was more complicated this year. spr.ly/63323AAccV
Did you know that Cog is on Substack? We've got a fun new feature up now, an homage to Vanity Fair's Proust questionnaire. Our first interviewee: Libby DeLana! Check us out: spr.ly/63325AfUGN spr.ly/63323AfUGF
The Proust Questionnaire: Libby DeLana
" ... [S]ometimes, I lie to myself. Quietly."
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October 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Did you know that Cog is on Substack? We've got a fun new feature up now, an homage to Vanity Fair's Proust questionnaire. Our first interviewee: Libby DeLana! Check us out: spr.ly/63325AfUGN spr.ly/63323AfUGF
I see now it wasn’t just that I wanted to dress like Diane Keaton -- though I did -- I wanted to be Diane Keaton, in some unquantifiable, elemental manner, writes Joanna Rakoff. spr.ly/63322Afoli
Diane Keaton and me
Diane Keaton possessed the comfort and grace to be herself -- to blithely accept her shortcomings as an integral part of her character, her persona. I wanted to do that too, writes Joanna Rakoff.
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October 20, 2025 at 6:46 PM
I see now it wasn’t just that I wanted to dress like Diane Keaton -- though I did -- I wanted to be Diane Keaton, in some unquantifiable, elemental manner, writes Joanna Rakoff. spr.ly/63322Afoli
"I’ve been hearing a lot about the importance of keeping the brain and body going as you age," writes Frank Lynch, who took up rowing last May, at age 85. "Keeping track of the rowing sequence: that’s the best mind-body activity I can think of." spr.ly/63325A2vXz
Learning to row at 85: ‘Hands away, body over, slide to the catch, row’
In the 60th Head of the Charles Regatta, Frank and Caitrin Lynch, father and daughter, will help row an eight-person racing shell between boathouses on the Charles River, delivering it to an “A-squad” of octogenarian rowers. For Frank and Caitrin, rowing has been an opportunity to do something new – and a little bit daunting – together.
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October 19, 2025 at 12:09 PM
"I’ve been hearing a lot about the importance of keeping the brain and body going as you age," writes Frank Lynch, who took up rowing last May, at age 85. "Keeping track of the rowing sequence: that’s the best mind-body activity I can think of." spr.ly/63325A2vXz
Families in many of our peer nations have had public child care for decades, writes Abigail Leonard, author of "Four Mothers: An Intimate Journey through the First Year of Parenthood in Four Countries." So why don’t we?
Will America finally treat child care as a public good? Some states are about to find out
In November, New Mexico will become the first state to offer free daycare for children as young as 6 weeks. On the other side of the country, child care is a key issue in New York City's mayoral election. The U.S. has come close to enacting a federal child care program before — maybe it's finally time.
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October 18, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Families in many of our peer nations have had public child care for decades, writes Abigail Leonard, author of "Four Mothers: An Intimate Journey through the First Year of Parenthood in Four Countries." So why don’t we?
It seems that the less you know about Taylor Swift, the more likely you are to adore “The Life of a Showgirl,” writes Joanna Weiss. And that could be as much about Taylor’s marketing as it is about her art.
'The Life a Showgirl' is pure fun. That's all it needs to be
I was shocked to learn that a sizable subset of hardcore Swifties hate Taylor's latest album writes Joanna Weiss. Maybe it’s because they're viewing the new album, not just as a work of art — a work of fiction — but as a primary-source artifact in the Personal History of Taylor Swift?
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October 18, 2025 at 12:11 PM
It seems that the less you know about Taylor Swift, the more likely you are to adore “The Life of a Showgirl,” writes Joanna Weiss. And that could be as much about Taylor’s marketing as it is about her art.
"Susan Stamberg was one of one," writes Margaret Low, WBUR’s CEO, in this reflection about one of NPR’s “founding mothers” who died this week at 87.
Farewell, Susan Stamberg
Susan Stamberg was one of one, writes Margaret Low, WBUR’s CEO, in this reflection about a "founding mother" of NPR who died this week at 87.
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October 17, 2025 at 4:31 PM
"Susan Stamberg was one of one," writes Margaret Low, WBUR’s CEO, in this reflection about one of NPR’s “founding mothers” who died this week at 87.