CHICAGO — Here's what we're reading before embracing the weekend.
Bernie Sanders Backed Free Love at the U. of C.: How did Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders get started in politics? True, he was a Congress of Racial Equality member while an undergrad at the University of Chicago and got arrested picketing a Howard Johnson's restaurant. Yet, according to a piece in Mother Jones read by Ted Cox, what really lit people's fires, creating a nationwide stir, was a 1963 article in the Maroon college newspaper espousing free love on campus. Sanders accused university elders of imposing a "forced chastity" on students. More than a half-century later, that has gained far more public acceptance than has Sanders' brand of socialism.
How To Fake A Diet Craze: Headlines around the world trumpeted the benefits of chocolate for those trying to shed a few pounds. The problem is the whole thing was a ruse specifically built to show how gullible both dieters and the journalists preaching the gospel in glossy mags really are. Sam Cholke is reading John Bohannon's explanation on io9.com of how he used the legit research methods to create a real study that said something entirely untrue, that chocolate can speed up weight loss.
Saying No To The Dress: It's wedding season and while your married pals and relatives may all have different styles, one thing might be the same: many of their gowns will be strapless. That is because a whopping 75 percent of wedding dresses lack straps. That's according to Slate's Katherine Goldstein, who spoke to designers and bridal pros about the trend. One theory? A full skirt on the bottom makes brides want to show some skin up top. Another? It's easier for designers to skip the straps and necklines. Goldstein suggests designers change it up, and DNAinfo's Jen Sabella agrees.
Animailya: DNAinfo's Kyla Gardner launched a newsletter all about animal news. While her weekly email blast focuses on news from around the world about foxes, pups and other cute creatures, she'll be launching a Chicago-only one soon. Sign up for that here! Until then, subscribe to Animailya here.
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