From transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to vagus-nerve stimulation (VNS) to deep-brain stimulation (DBS), a shocking story, Maria Luisa Tucker’s “Shock and Awe,” of a woman who is desperate in seeking for a cure of severe depression before she reaches her suicidal destination:

Kelley’s journey into the labyrinth of experimental treatments began 15 years ago, when she was officially diagnosed with major depressive disorder at age 29. She had known for years that something was wrong: In college, where she graduated magna cum laude with degrees in English literature and fine arts, she consumed espresso by the pot, alcohol by the liter, and clove cigarettes by the carton, self-medicating the unnameable thing that kept her awake all night and numb all day. After accepting that it wasn’t simply the blues, or hormones, or a dozen other ailments she was tested for, Kelley started on a pharmaceutical merry-go-round, trying out scores of antidepressants and other meds, none of which helped very much. Previously the chatty, likable life of the party, Kelley was transformed into an erratic and hostile mess. Deb, her partner of 23 years, remembers coming home to find Kelley slashing a stuffed animal with a razor blade or silently sitting in the closet.

A provocative set of photos by fashion photographer Steven Meisel

MoveOn.org‘s new ad: “Congressional Representation or ‘Ass-Kissing Little Chickenshits’.”

Damn! Haven’t twit in a month, which is ages online.

Though each record of Diana Krall is remarkable in its own way, a collection of her Very Best is a retrospective to her long-lasting career. From the seducing-bossa nova “‘S Wonderful” to the swinging-in-concert “Fly Me to the Moon,” these so called “very best” tracks are debatable. What stood out to me is her previously unreleased rendition of Tom Waits’ “The Heart of Saturday Night.” She does what she does best: covering a ballad with her own touch.

Fuck you all

An interview with “Dr. Dre, Mix Marathon Man“:

For Dre, a hit record starts with a hit sound, which sounds simple. But the search is what requires those long hours in the studio. The producer normally heads into the studio around 3 p.m. weekdays, the weekends being reserved for the family and for his hobbies, which include sports and photography. Because the studio in Sherman Oaks is like a second home, Dre likes the atmosphere to be as comfortable and relaxed as possible.

Design Can Change pulled together a simple, informative, Flash site about climate-related disasters.

Jay-Z’s “Blue Magic” is mad ill. Hov is back to the block.

Humanity
Daria, I Love You