Headlines from June 6, 2013

White House defends phone snooping as “a critical tool in protecting the nation from terrorist threats.”
I had so many tomorrow’s. Tumblr of the Day: “Laid Off From the Sun-Times.”
Boston Marathon spectators file lawsuit against New York Post for portraying them as bombing suspects.
A new study shows that for many, barefoot running doesn’t deliver the results they believe it will.
New software can predict BMI and risk for certain diseases from a simple headshot.
With a poverty rate of 21%, Israel has a higher percentage of poor people than Mexico, Turkey, or debt-ridden Spain and Greece.
Now it’s crazy. It happens every game. Italian soccer has a racism problem. #longreads
At a price tag of $60 million, the most expensive high school football stadium in the U.S. is in Allen, Texas.
Because Federer lost early at the French Open, the world may finally witness the brilliance of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. #tennis
Come to my city in Croatia, I’ll kill you. Why sports gamblers target tennis players on Twitter.
In the first four months of 2013, the U.S. has exported more than $1.7 million dollars worth of bull sperm.
Artists build sculpture of a giant cube packed with items from a demolished amusement park.
In Japanese bookstores, there is an art to stacking books. #photos
Jimmy Fallon’s summer “What Not to Read” list. #video
Tiny people living in a world of food. #art
See also: In Abelardo Morell’s “Camera Obscura,” see how much of the world can fit through a pinhole. #tmn
Right now, the NSA is monitoring phone records of Verizon customers—“regardless of whether they are suspected of any wrongdoing.”
After using the world of tomorrow to keep Americans hopeful during WWII, government and industry found ways to dash those dreams.
Researchers successfully guide a thought-controlled helicopter through an obstacle course.
Sean Parker’s magical wedding among the redwoods did irreparable—yet relatively affordable—environmental damage.
I zigged when I meant to zag and a dragon ate my face. Why we should play nearly impossible games. #opinions
Prankster offers free iPads to anyone who can solve unsolvable riddles.
Los Angeles appeals more to my ears than to my eyes. Fanny Daubigny searches for Proust in LA.
Classic books annotated by famous authors. #literature
Animator Ian Padgham creates six-second masterpieces on Vine. #video
Anytime you have to kiss anybody, it’s never stopped being strange. One of the best-ever Reddit AMAs: “I am Ethan Hawke.”
Related: “All Hail Nicolas Cage!”
PSA from the 1970s: “Ricky Caught Masturbating.” via #video
See also: “Life after masturbation” by Eric Feezell. #tmn
Maps of the U.S. show the different versions of English that Americans speak.
Amazing: Freddie Mercury and David Bowie’s isolated vocal track from “Under Pressure.” #audio
Alex Ross offers a guide to upcoming classical music performances.
Seven habits of highly successful people.