26 April, 2024

Hello. This week, we're wondering: How often do you shower? Whether you're religious about a daily wash or prefer a more infrequent deep clean, our long read on why you may not need to shower every day is well worth diving into. Also in this edition is a look at Netflix's Baby Reindeer and we have incredible satellite footage of the Earth's transformation since 1972. ‌ And we have some exciting news: The Essential List is going twice-weekly! From next week, you'll receive this newsletter on Tuesdays as well as Fridays, to help bookend your week. We hope you like our new edition. Now, onto today's articles...

ESSENTIAL FEATURES Shower every day? You might not need to Some experts believe that everyday showering is based more on a 'social contract' than a physical health benefit. In fact, it can even be bad for you. Read more

The quiet US national park that requires a passport Exploring one of the most remote and least visited of the national parks, which requires a complicated journey to reach. ‌ Read more >‌ 'Earthrise': The 1968 photo that changed the world The first colour photograph of Earth is widely credited with propelling the global environmental movement. ‌ Read more >‌ How Baby Reindeer is gut-punching viewers With its depiction of stalking and sexual assault, this Netflix show has been described as 2024's most harrowing watch. ‌ Read more >‌ Britain's mysterious WW2 'island of death' The story behind Scotland's Gruinard Island and the UK military's attempt to weaponise anthrax during the war. ‌ Read more >‌

ESSENTIAL INSIGHTS TikTok to challenge 'unconstitutional' US ban  The social media platform has vowed to fight a law signed by President Biden that could result in it being sold or banned. ‌ Read more >‌ The environmental cost of China's cement addiction The use of concrete exploded to fuel China's rise. Now the costs of this weighty material are being counted. ‌ Read more >‌ Why your small goods come in gigantic boxes Companies aren't simply being careless in the mismatch between product and container sizing. ‌ Read more >‌

ESSENTIAL WATCHLIST Listen to world's first 'chat' between humans and whales A team of scientists had a conversation with a humpback whale and also recorded other whales chatting as they hunted for their next meal. Watch now > Watch how satellites see the Earth transform For over 50 years, Nasa and the US Geological Survey's Landsat Program has documented changes to the Earth's surface as seen from space. Watch now > When 500 Newfoundlanders went on same cruise by coincidence Residents of the Atlantic Canadian province of roughly 500,000 people found the same good deal online, with amusing results.  Watch now >