Jack Kessler
@jackkessler.bsky.social
I write the newsletter, Lines To Take, bringing you one big story of the day, every day.
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I like human rights and French cuisine.
Sign up for free: https://www.linestotake.com/
I like human rights and French cuisine.
I've held quite fierce debates in my own head about whether I'd rather do Desert Islands Discs, Lunch with the FT or Sentimental Garbage Podcast and I suspect anyone who says otherwise is lying.
January 16, 2026 at 12:39 PM
I've held quite fierce debates in my own head about whether I'd rather do Desert Islands Discs, Lunch with the FT or Sentimental Garbage Podcast and I suspect anyone who says otherwise is lying.
Finally, for fans of footnotes and dad jokes.
January 16, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Finally, for fans of footnotes and dad jokes.
I'm trying to retrain my brain to think of reading less as information to be retained for later use, and more as a sort of lifelong accumulation of archaeological layers.
January 16, 2026 at 11:40 AM
I'm trying to retrain my brain to think of reading less as information to be retained for later use, and more as a sort of lifelong accumulation of archaeological layers.
Perhaps the problem is the differential treatment of fiction and non-fiction. Nobody picks up a trashy airport novel out of a desire for self-improvement. Whereas biography imposes a quasi-parental expectation.
January 16, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Perhaps the problem is the differential treatment of fiction and non-fiction. Nobody picks up a trashy airport novel out of a desire for self-improvement. Whereas biography imposes a quasi-parental expectation.
Before you say it, yes I’ve seen those “It’s the journey, not the destination” mugs. (Though I prefer Robert Louis Stevenson’s somewhat more ambivalent, “To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive.”)
January 16, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Before you say it, yes I’ve seen those “It’s the journey, not the destination” mugs. (Though I prefer Robert Louis Stevenson’s somewhat more ambivalent, “To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive.”)
The point being, I knew all these things *before* reading the book.
January 16, 2026 at 11:33 AM
The point being, I knew all these things *before* reading the book.
Some selected takeaways:
January 16, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Some selected takeaways:
Also a table tennis table.
January 15, 2026 at 8:10 AM
Also a table tennis table.
Anyway, who knew a single point could be more compelling than six hours of crosscourt backhand purgatory?
January 15, 2026 at 8:08 AM
Anyway, who knew a single point could be more compelling than six hours of crosscourt backhand purgatory?
The tension was real. Jannik Sinner lost to an amateur who went on to win the tournament. A club player hit a tweener against Daniil Medvedev.
Amateur Hits Tweener Against Medvedev | 1 Point Slam | Australian Open 2026
YouTube video by Australian Open
www.youtube.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:07 AM
The tension was real. Jannik Sinner lost to an amateur who went on to win the tournament. A club player hit a tweener against Daniil Medvedev.
It worked not *just* because of the money. Top players, including Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, ran the very real risk of looking stupid. Men could lose to women, professionals to amateurs, Gen Z to Boomers.
January 15, 2026 at 8:02 AM
It worked not *just* because of the money. Top players, including Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, ran the very real risk of looking stupid. Men could lose to women, professionals to amateurs, Gen Z to Boomers.
So credit where credit's due: the 1 Point Slam is exactly as it sounds — a one-point, winner-takes-all format that gives professionals, amateurs and wildcards the chance to compete for $1m.
Aussie amateur beats AO champ for $1M. payday in 1 Point Slam
Australian amateur Jordan Smith takes down a host of pros to win the 1 Point Slam Driven by Kia on Wednesday night.
ausopen.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:01 AM
So credit where credit's due: the 1 Point Slam is exactly as it sounds — a one-point, winner-takes-all format that gives professionals, amateurs and wildcards the chance to compete for $1m.
Given this, the gravitational pull of gimmicks can be irresistible. See the endless slop of exhibitions and ‘Battle of the Sexes’ re-matches.
🚨 Kyrgios vs Sabalenka 🚨 - Aussie takes the win in controversial 'Battle of the Sexes' | FSN
YouTube video by FOX SPORTS AUSTRALIA
www.youtube.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:58 AM
Given this, the gravitational pull of gimmicks can be irresistible. See the endless slop of exhibitions and ‘Battle of the Sexes’ re-matches.
Tennis doesn't always help itself, what with the archaic, non-linear scoring system and a sometimes highly cultivated reputation for stuffiness. Throw in six-hours matches and little wonder the sport struggles to attract younger fans.
January 15, 2026 at 7:57 AM
Tennis doesn't always help itself, what with the archaic, non-linear scoring system and a sometimes highly cultivated reputation for stuffiness. Throw in six-hours matches and little wonder the sport struggles to attract younger fans.
The older I get, the more I've reluctantly begun to believe in tribes.
January 14, 2026 at 10:04 AM
The older I get, the more I've reluctantly begun to believe in tribes.
Or “that’s an interesting idea” is actually an English person displaying interest rather than sheer horror.
January 14, 2026 at 2:26 AM
Or “that’s an interesting idea” is actually an English person displaying interest rather than sheer horror.
See also Philip Hammond is a natural chancellor — he’s really uncharismatic!
January 13, 2026 at 12:29 PM
See also Philip Hammond is a natural chancellor — he’s really uncharismatic!
You may be disappointed in the Labour government. Some criticisms may even be valid! But it’s a centre-left government, I’m afraid.
January 13, 2026 at 12:00 PM
You may be disappointed in the Labour government. Some criticisms may even be valid! But it’s a centre-left government, I’m afraid.