Suggestions from a nerd: keeping up with the world edition

By Wisley Lau

The world is a nightmare, so view these shows and books to enjoy yourself amid the mayhem of the daily news.

TV shows for the discerning nerd

1. Servant Of The People

As the tragedy in Ukraine continues to unfold, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has unarguably become a hero to the world and the leader of a country battered by Russian missiles and bomb attacks. However, tracing his political origins will bring you to Servant Of The People, a 2015 political satire comedy television series. Dubbed the greatest political campaign advertisement ever, Zelensky jumped from his role as fictional president Vasily Petrovych Goloborodko to becoming the sixth and current president of Ukraine in 2019. In the show, Goloborodko wins a landslide victory after his viral rant on Ukrainian politics and corruption. (In real life, Zelenskyy won 73% of the vote as opposed to Goloborodko’s 67%!)

An honest and principled man, Goloborodko has to deal with a sly and corrupt Prime Minister, a cabinet of his childhood friends, his ex-wife, and ambition-hungry legislators and politicians with empty promises, all the while dismantling the oligarch’s power. It is a gripping political drama with hilarious comedic bits, from the now-viral clip of Goloborodko dropping the f-bomb after learning his country had “successfully” entered the EU to a scene where Zelenskyy’s character was seen killing everyone in the parliament with machine guns.

2. The Problem With Jon Stewart

Stewart is a nurturer of the modern late-night comedy as much as he is a pioneer in piercing and humorous political satire. The former Daily Show host has stepped out of retirement and made a comeback, but his goal is no longer just comedy for entertainment’s sake. With the help of his crew and guests, Stewart navigates candid and sometimes difficult conversations about pressing issues. From discussing the effects of burn pits on US veterans to what Robin Hood reveals about the stock market’s murky waters, these topics are no laughing matter. But Jon’s witty humor, logical perspective, and interview skills add a sweetness and delight to the disturbing facts so pertinent to such hot-topic issues.

Books for the discerning nerd

1. How We Saved The World/How We Lost The Planet by National Geographic

Rarely do I recommend a singular issue from a magazine, but this has to be the exception. Published at the beginning of the pandemic in April 2020, National Geographic Magazine celebrated 50 years of Earth Day with a special dual cover issue envisioning the world in 2070, Earth Day’s 100th anniversary. On the bright side, it imagines a world where humans have found innovative ways to stop the world from getting warmer, with a generation of young activists and green energy holding the helm of progress. On the bleak side, the world is severely damaged by climate change with ecosystems battered and humans forced to migrate into more hospitable environments. Optimistic or pessimist, this issue is important for anyone who is concerned about the planet.

2. The Rules Of Contagion By ADAM KUCHARSKI

If we learnt anything from Hong Kong’s fifth wave of COVID, it is the virus’ ability to spread exponentially. But have you wondered why and how pathogens spread so quickly and impact so many people? In this timely book, epidemiologist Adam Kucharski uses his expertise to explain what requirements are needed for things to go viral while also giving non-infectious examples to back up his ideas. From financial crises to social media posts, funny YouTube videos to cultural ideas, this is the perfect book to read for burgeoning conspiracy theorists and influencers.