Don't Bogart My Blog: Sunday Best: The obscure things you should be thankful for

Like the farmer who grew the cranberries in your sauce.

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Sunday, November 18, 2018

NYTimes.com/Opinion »

'Tis the season of gratitude — whether you're thankful for Michelle Obama, the fact that we've almost moved beyond Sadie Hawkins Day or just that you have the time and ability to go home for Thanksgiving. We'll be off next week for the holiday, but hopefully these reads will be fodder for your dinner conversation so that you can avoid talking politics with your uncle. If all else fails, show your family these rejected Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons. One thing we can all agree on? A winter antidepressant-shaped balloon has no place hovering above Manhattan. Happy Thanksgiving. — Alexandra March

How To Tell Dinner Guests What You're Thankful For (Without it Feeling Forced)

Illustrations by Tim Lahan

By A.J. JACOBS

"I recently asked one of my smartest friends — a philosophy professor at Oxford — what he's grateful for. I expected something like 'the capacity for human progress' or 'the fugues of Joseph Haydn.' His actual answer? 'Sometimes I'm just grateful I have arms.'"

Why You Shouldn't Be Afraid of Killer Robots

Pepper, a robot described as capable of recognizing human emotions and adapting its behavior to the mood of its interlocutor, at the Emotion A.I. Summit in September in Boston. Tony Luong for The New York Times

By ED FINN

When we think of the future of artificial intelligence, "godlike supermachines" who destroy us come to mind. But the future is here; artificial intelligence already surrounds us — and it's opening our worlds up to greater possibilities.

Introducing the Worldwide War on Truth

By ADAM B. ELLICK AND ADAM WESTBROOK

From Pizzagate to George Soros conspiracies, this is the culmination of Russia's decades-long campaign to tear the West apart. Watch "Operation InfeKtion," a three-part film, and meet the KGB spies who started it all.

Your Fake Australian Accent Is Terrible, Mate

Hugh Jackman, one Australian whose accent was not spoiled by success. Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Michael Kors

By JULIA BAIRD

"Why are we so hard to imitate? One theory suggests that this is because of our habitat: Given the swarms of flies buzzing around the outback, the legend goes, we developed a pattern of speech that would involve only opening our mouths slightly for fear of letting in insects."

Marvel, Stan Lee and the Language of the Outcast Made Good

Jason Jägel

By SELWYN SEYFU HINDS

"Hey, want to come over and check out some comics?" Those words made Selwyn Seyfu Hinds feel truly American after moving from Guyana to Brooklyn.

Send your thoughts on this week's selections, suggestions and favorite reads from the section to me at Op-reads@nytimes.com. If you're enjoying this email, please send it to friends. They can sign up here.