Skip to content

A newsletter for the terminally curious

“High quality esoterica, quirky inner musings, and one of the best advice columns on the internet. McKinley always digs up interesting content I can’t find anywhere else.”
  — Angus Hervey, Future Crunch

“It’s eclectic and personal in a way that kind of reminds me of the glory days of blogging — a delightful cabinet of curiosities. McKinley is an interesting thinker who spots interesting facts and occurrences, and says interesting things about them.”  
  — Rob Walker, The Art of Noticing

“I never know what I’m going to get in an issue of The Whippet, but I know it’s going to be good because McKinley is an excellent writer and curator.”  
  — Mark Frauenfelder, BoingBoing / The Magnet

Subscribe to The Whippet

Recent Issues

Members Public
The Whippet #184: The 2024/25 Demilitarised Zone

The Whippet #184: The 2024/25 Demilitarised Zone

A boundary is, by definition, the same thing as an interface. Even though they seem like opposites.

Members Public
llama face with whippet banner

The Whippet #183: If you are a stranger, act like one

Lamas are innately furious at dog-shaped animals from birth, and can be set to guard sheep from dingoes, coyotes, etc without training.

Members Public
gems with The Whippet banner

The Whippet #182: The Least Charitable Reader

Four elements, four precious gems, gravity, dark matter, a good snake, and the uncharitable reader in my head

Members Public
The Whippet #181: Much better than horses

The Whippet #181: Much better than horses

Tautophrases, a post that will make you love rooster, United States v. One Solid Gold Object in Form of a Rooster

Members Public
Venus Rose cover image "the whippet"

The Whippet Special: Venus News Extra Extra

This is 100% and literally the pattern Venus makes in the earth's sky over an 8-year cycle. Each 'rose petal' takes about 18 months.

Members Public
The Whippet #179: Antarctica is not the answer

The Whippet #179: Antarctica is not the answer

"They should probably have a screener on that job. “Do you actually want this job or are you experiencing a midlife crisis?”