Six Essential Weekend Reads: From Snake Immunity to Student Struggles
Looking for something brilliant to read this weekend? Here are six of our favorite pieces from the last seven days, each offering unique insights into extraordinary human experiences.
1. Bitten by Snakes 200 Times – On Purpose: A Quest for Universal Antivenom
For nearly two decades, Tim Friede, a window cleaner from Wisconsin with no formal scientific training, allowed some of the world's most lethal snakes to bite him in his basement. His painful and extraordinary mission was to build up an immunity that could one day be developed into a universal antivenom. This quest nearly killed the 58-year-old, almost cost him his leg and fingers, and at one point put him into a coma. However, as the climate crisis increases contact between humans and snakes, his efforts are poised to help others. "People said I was crazy, of course. Some people tried to stop me," he told Oliver Milman in this remarkable interview.
2. 'I Couldn't See, Breathe or Sing': The Rise of Masked Heavy Metal Bands
Despite practical struggles and increased difficulty with headbanging, many of the genre's biggest stars are choosing to wear freaky facial disguises. In this insightful article, Matt Mills looked behind their masks and asked whether the musicians are hiding behind them – or revealing their true nature. The piece explores the growing trend and its impact on performance and identity in the metal scene.
3. 'Not Unique to War': Millions of Americans Suffer from Moral Injury
As part of the ongoing Well Actually series, a former US military psychologist talked to Jo Livingstone about moral injury – a unique kind of stress experienced when someone is forced to act in ways or witness actions that contradict their most deeply held convictions. In this fascinating interview, Michael Valdovinos explained how moral distress frequently presents as sadness or feeling like a bad person, highlighting its prevalence beyond military contexts.
4. 'I See It as Trafficking': The Brutal Reality for Foreign Students in the UK
Each year, about 400,000 international students are granted study visas to the UK, with universities relying on overseas applicants paying full fees. However, this system has given rise to unscrupulous recruiters and left many hopefuls and their families deep in debt. In this great Guardian Long read, journalist Samira Shackle investigated the world of education agents: middlemen paid by universities to find foreign students, exposing the harsh realities and ethical concerns.
5. 'My Background Cringes Me Out': Jack Whitehall on Poshness and Comedy
"I don't do a lot of politics, because I don't think people are interested in the political viewpoint of a public schoolboy. I'd never feel comfortable doing polemic. I think people are exhausted by it. They've had years of a Tory government, they do not want a Tory comedian ... not that I'm a Tory. I'm definitely not. But the perception of me is that I have a Tory ..." He trails off. "Background," he says, firmly. Zoe Williams talked to the actor and comedian, who is working on a new standup act and about to host the UK's version of Saturday Night Live, delving into his views on class and comedy.
6. 'Oh My God, Did Someone Accuse Me of Killing My Mom?'
Rachel Waters gave morphine to her dying mother to ease her in her final hours. Then came the murder charge. In this moving interview, she told Madeleine Aggeler that she now feels she is on a mission, one that requires her to share her story so others might avoid a similar nightmare. "I want people to know my story and know who I am," she says. "That is the only way I can achieve justice for my mom." The piece explores the emotional and legal complexities of assisted dying.
These six reads offer a diverse range of perspectives, from personal struggles to broader societal issues, perfect for a thoughtful weekend.
