Briefings

The ultimate spy compendium, a man hunted by assassins and the mysteries of top-secret theft. We’re only throwing in the best of the internet and what not to do on Everest to remind you that this isn’t a plug for Skyfall.

The internet is a great place to wander around and read stories about guys like Charlie Wittmack, who conquer imagine impossible physical and mental challenges and then conquer them. It’s a good place to watch documentaries about the ’92 Dream Team and to read great poetry.

It’s hard to argue that the most important things going on in the world this week have nothing to do with baby sloths and robotic cheetahs, but if we can have your ear for just a second… no? Come on.

Editor’s Note: Building on the growing popularity of Briefings, we’ve decided to expand our link coverage with a weekly dose of what’s happening out there in the world of man, beyond the world of gear. More than a link drop, less than a TPS Report, look forward to 3-5 doses of culture with a spoonful of insight and irreverence.

The Footage the NFL Won’t Show You Wall Street Journal (account required) George Clooney Talks Sex, Politics and Fame Rolling Stone How to Take Better Camera Phone Photos National Geographic Fall Cycling Gear Cool Hunting The Macallan X-Ray Boxes by Nick Veasey NOTCOT How to Calibrate Your HDTV and Boost Your Video Quality in 30 Minutes or Less Lifehacker Meet the New Bits Blog on NYTimes NYTimes

That Desktop Image You see on Every PC is an Actual Photo The Next Web Motivational Posters From the Wire WireInspire.Tumblr.com Band of Outsiders Fall/Winter 2011 Lookbook Is Harry Pottered Out Por Homme Skirt Steak 5 Different Ways The Art of Manliness La Brea: Seven New Spots to Shop in Hollywood’s Up-and-Coming Retail District Cool Hunting The Blues Brothers Could Be Turned Into a TV Series Variety

What’s Hiding in Your Energy Drinks? Men’s Health 25 Duos We’d Like to See Play Together in the NBA Bleacher Report Calculating the Size of Apple’s Spaceship HQ Mac Observer Reading.am is a New Ultra Simple Service for Sharing What You’re Reading Which You Should Check Out Svpply Who Pays For Your P2P Habit ISP’s, or You?

Everyone’s a Critic — Nostalgia for a Time Before Yelp The Economist Stop Coddling the Super Rich by Warren Buffet NY Times Tumi for Ducati Acquire Did The Adventures of Pete & Pete Create the Modern Hipster? Cult Blog Should Employees Your Take Naps?

A look at the styles behind 68 full-time Major League umpires’ strike-three calls Wall Street Journal Somebody text 911! Engadget How to Thrift for Menswear Pt.

Cursed Design: Beautiful Swear Words Beautiful Swear Words Newman, 1978 The Impossible Cool Bizarre: The Future According to Josh Harris. But wait, who’s Josh Harris?