Postpone Your Pleasures
And enjoy them all the more.
Musk Makes a Mess of Congress
The billionaire may have just tanked a bipartisan bill to fund the government. All he needed was a few hours on X.
A Beacon in the Clouds
Day 19 of the 2024 Space Telescope Advent Calendar
An Autistic Teenager Fell Hard for a Chatbot
My godson was especially vulnerable to AI companions, and he is not alone.
The Cost of Lawlessness on the West Bank
Settler violence against Palestinians is rising, and Israel seems unwilling to stop it.
A Biting Satire of the Art World’s Monstrousness
Ella Baxter’s new novel explores why creative genius so often seems to be at odds with being a good person.
The Luxury Makeover of the Worst Pastry on Earth
How panettone, the once-reviled Italian Christmas treat, became a high-end commodity
In Praise of Mercy
Clemency is a tool for correcting the vengeful tendency to punish rather than forgive.
How Liberal America Came to Its Senses
The period of left-wing illiberalism that began about a decade ago seems to have drawn to a close. The final cause of death was the reelection of Donald Trump.
A Mysterious Health Wave Is Breaking Out Across the U.S.
America is suddenly getting healthier. No one knows why.
Why Online Returns Are a Hassle Now
Getting your money back is not as simple as it used to be.
Trump Has Found the Media’s Biggest Vulnerability
Most major media properties are tied to larger business interests that can benefit from government policy—or be harmed by it.
A Gala for Right-Wing Revenge
The mood that dominated an annual soiree for the New York Young Republicans: gleeful promises of retribution for Trump’s perceived enemies.
Images of Krampus—Saint Nick’s Dark Companion
Recent images of people dressed in frightening Krampus costumes, parading in front of crowds and chasing bystanders
Gas Will Be the First Big Climate Fight of the Trump Era
The Biden administration just made the case against increasing natural-gas exports.
Ukraine’s Hardest Winter
Weary soldiers and citizens express fatalistic optimism while preparing for the loss of U.S. military support.
An Energetic Protostar
Day 18 of the 2024 Space Telescope Advent Calendar
The Outrage Over 100 Men Only Goes So Far
What an OnlyFans stunt reveals about modern morals and internet fame
You Are Cordially Invited to an Event That Could Ruin Your Life
How could any woman resist Senator Lindsey Graham’s generous summons to speak publicly about her claim of sexual assault?
The Pro-Eating-Disorder Internet Is Back
One of the thorniest content-moderation problems grows out of control on X.