Evil Appearing Where You Don't Expect It

In this case, it's the front page of the Sunday New York Times, which yesterday ran a huge, horrifying investigative piece on Internet-based child abuse material (access it through the link in the first paragraph of this story).  I mentioned evil in lecture on Thursday as the bad thing that seems to have (1) no explanation and (2) no cure.  We'll be investigating these features in the course: can we explain the worst things? Can we really not cure them?  (Photo: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.)

One of the lead authors, Gabriel Dance, has a Twitter thread with interesting background, including his own distress while researching and writing the piece.  In one tweet he writes, "every single image or video is documentation of a crime, and all are beyond the pale. i've read descriptions of abuse that were previously unfathomable to me. they've rocked me to my core. they raise fundamental questions about humanity."  Can't emphasize that last sentence enough.  He ends by warning, "this is just the start. we have more coming - lots more. and while it's not easy to read (or write), the @nytimes is committed to this line of reporting. i'm grateful for the opportunity to help children who need it, and to you all for reading."

This is an important piece, but take care reading it, and take good care of yourself.