⛷️ Is Philadelphia’s ski mask ban a bad idea?

It’s Monday, January 1 — people are talking about Philadelphia’s ski mask ban, the pros and cons of setting reading goals, and more.

As always, we’ve summarized and organized the different shades of perspective, so you can see the big picture quickly. Here at Shades we believe that seeing multiple points of view is the best way to stay informed.

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- Jeff (co-founder of Shades)

⛷️ Is Philadelphia’s ski mask ban a bad idea?

Cities are banning ski masks to fight crime, but critics say it's ineffective and could lead to racial profiling.

⛷️ In an effort to curb crime, Philadelphia passed a law banning ski masks in certain public places. WHYY questions the effectiveness and fairness of this ban — clearly there will be racial profiling.

⛷️ VOA agrees: Philly's ski mask ban will lead to serious discrimination against people of color. And it obviously won't stop crime!

⛷️ But WaPo argues that a ski mask ban strikes a tricky balance between safety and rights — it could definitely fight crime. Overall, it’s a good idea.

⛷️ Philly Mag disagrees: The ban is a misguided, anti-Black measure that won't curb crime at all. We need better solutions — the focus should be on effective solutions, not performative bans that echo respectability politics.

📚 Do book-count goals kill the joy of reading?

Some say book-count goals turn joy into pressure, but others find satisfaction and motivation in them.

📚 Stylist: Setting reading goals transforms a leisurely pastime into a competitive race. The quality of your reading time is much more important than the quantity of books you read!

📚 NY Mag agrees: Don't let Goodreads suck the fun out of a good book. Focus on the joy of reading, not hitting numbers.

📚 And Dazed Magazine says BookTok's vibe kills the chill of reading, too: Ultra-competitive reading is no fun.

📚 But Track of Words sees value in reading goals: If done right, they enhance your enjoyment and lead to a sense of achievement.

📚 On the other hand, a Redditor on r/Books says it all depends…set reading goals if you want to, but don't feel like you have to.

Quick hits

👑 Queen Margrethe II of Denmark abdicated on Sunday to the surprise of many, citing health concerns. (ABC News)

🏙️ Hundreds of thousands of people filled Times Square to celebrate New Year’s Eve, while pro-Palestine protestors filled the streets outside the area. (NY Post)

🇬🇧 A Colorado mother suspected of killing two of her young children made a court appearance London, where she was arrested over the weekend. (AP News)

📜 Nearly 200 names connected to the Jeffrey Epstein / Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking conspiracy could be released as soon as Tuesday. (The Guardian)