Bottleneck Encounters

Life’s Ancient Bottleneck

Jack Lohmann | Quillette | 21st May 2025

On the role played by phosphorus in the continuation of life. It is one of six elements that is absolutely essential, and the most scarce. "Because of its rarity, it controls life — it determines who grows and shrinks, who lives and dies, what areas become biologically wealthy and which ones will be biologically poor." The phosphorus we contain originally came from molten lava that became rock, then soil (1,900 words)

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Three Encounters In Taipei

Winnie Lim | 11th May 2025

Closely observed travel writing about a trip to Taiwan, told in three vignettes. Written, the writer says, solely to solidify her own memories. "Is this taiwanese hospitality? I cannot tell you how many times we were told unpleasantly we cannot dine outdoors even when there were actual tables because nobody wants to service that area. This is an exceptional experience that I will always remember" (1,100 words)