Article snippet: New York Times reporters and editors are highlighting great stories from around the web. You can receive What We’re reading by email, and let us know how you like it at wwr@nytimes.com. From The New Yorker: Losing your keys. Losing your ball python. Losing your father. In this superb meditation on loss and grief, Kathryn Schulz explores the many meanings of loss through the lens of her own life. “Entropy, mortality, extinction: the entire plan of the universe consists of losing,” she tells us. “All of this is made more precious, not less, by its impermanence.”— John Schwartz, Science Reporter _____ From The New York Observer: Ryan Holiday, who wrote the bible of media manipulation, “Trust Me, I’m Lying,” explains the media savvy of provocateurs like Milo Yiannopoulos, with lessons that apply to the president. They “leverage the dismissals, anger, mockery, and contempt of the population at large as proof of their credibility.” — Grant Gold, Art Director _____ From The Los Angeles Times: After a spell of heavy rains in California during the 19th century, arid land bloomed. Then came promises that the land would thrive if people settled it, because “rain follows the plow,” that even dynamite from excavation could make it rain. It was fakery dished out by railroad barons, paid scientists and P.R. men to credulous reporters. During 20th-century droughts, chambers of commerce created “truth squads” to deny the existence of Dust Bowls. “But the winds would not be censor... Link to the full article to read more