While endorsements are still chic, here's one: this dude. He writes quite well and does so on interesting topics. His first book, Now The Hell Will Start, has just gone into the "finished reading" column and it was pretty good. Certainly not a masterpiece, but a solid first effort. Especially commendable/scrutable is that there aren't many confirmed details for the topic he chose to write about in the book. Any interesting story nonetheless.

However, his articles, specifically on Slate, are the highlight. For one, a comprehensive look at the extinction of Zima. There's also a study on the popularity of shrimp, including hip-hop references. Good stuff.