The week of October 8, 2016 was finding out squirrels are just like humans; swooning over Common in the White House; and feeling super validated in our love of watching animal videos on the internet while eating tubs of Ben & Jerry’s.

Also, we bow down to The Daily Show this week. Roy Wood Jr. and Ronny Chieng are national treasures.

Mash-Ups in the News:

Luke Cage: The Most Important Thing That Marvel Has Ever Done

Marvel’s newest superhero series, Luke Cage, features a Black man wearing a hoodie, saving Harlem from the bad guys. “The world is ready for a bulletproof Black man,” says showrunner Cheo Coker. We could not agree more. Also, every Luke Cage episode is named for a Gang Starr song.

via Vanity Fair

What Chinese “Chabuduo” Reveals About Modernity

We’ve all had our moments of chabuduo, the Chinese word for shrugging and saying “oh well, close enough.” But does chabuduo reflect a casual, potentially dangerous dismissal of small problems, or a brilliant, lifesaving philosophy in response to life under Mao? Quien sabe? Related: You know that little problem you have of buying books then never reading them? It’s called tsundoku.

via Aeon 

The Best Desserts From Around The World

Yi bua! Baklava! Leche Asada! We’ll cut out processed sugar tomorrow.

via Saveur

Racists Have A Code On Social Media

In their attempt to avoid “censorship,” aka getting kicked off platforms like Twitter for hate speech and abuse, racists have come up with a dictionary of terms for Muslims, Jews, Blacks, and other minority groups to use online. America granted us the right to free speech; shame it didn’t also grant us some manners.

via Buzzfeed

The Art Of The Ink, Japan Edition

What does it mean to permanently change your body? Is it high art? Is it heresy? In Japan, is it some combination of them both. A fascinating look at how body modification can come to represent class, crime, and culture.

via Roads + Kingdoms

Photos: A Look At Millennial Bedrooms Worldwide

Ever wonder what Millennials surround themselves with, in their most sacred space? Short list: Guns in Dallas; shoes in Kigali; and soccer jerseys in Riyadh. Enjoy this incredible glimpse at global youth culture.

via Quartz

Podcasting From Prison: Stories From San Quentin

Every story deserves to be told, and podcasting is arguably the medium of the future, by which the most ignored voices will be heard and amplified. Enter “Ear Hustle,” a podcast from two long-term inmates at San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin, Calif., which has beat more than 1,500 other shows for a shot to be distributed by one of the most popular producers in the country.

via California Sunday Magazine