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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

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Recent Issues

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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?”

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The Whippet #178: Somebody better say something about the moon

The Whippet #178: Somebody better say something about the moon

"You have eighteen months. Go back to your computer, and do whatever you have to, but don't come to our conference unless you have something to say about the Moon's birth."