George Eliot’s Subversive Vision of Marriage
Unlike Jane Austen, the novelist was most interested in what happens after “I do.”
American Democracy Perseveres—For Now
Antibodies against authoritarianism are still working, but the U.S. system remains under immense strain.
The Big COVID Question for Hospitals This Fall
With universal masking mandates almost entirely gone, hospitals now have to decide when—or if—to bring requirements back.
America Could Be in for a Rough Fall
The weather is about to get even weirder.
The Taint of Nuclear Disaster Doesn’t Wash Away
Millions of gallons of water have been used to cool the melted fuel at Fukushima. Is now the time for its release?
How Men Muscled Women Out of Surfing
Why is the sport still stuck in the 1960s?
There’s a Word for Blaming Jews for Anti-Semitism
Elon Musk’s conceit that Jews cause themselves to be persecuted is as old as anti-Jewish bigotry itself.
The Metaphor That Explains Why America Needs to Prosecute Trump
Worrying about the dangers ahead is a bit like focusing on the risk that chemotherapy poses to a cancer patient’s health.
Robots Are Already Killing People
The AI boom only underscores a problem that has existed for years.
Hip-Hop’s Fiercest Critic
The writer dream hampton thinks hip-hop is broken. But she can’t stop trying to fix it.
The Thrill of Defeat
My life has been shaped by watching the Detroit Lions lose. Who will I be if they start winning?
What Were the Russians Doing in Chornobyl?
Shortly after invading Ukraine, Russian forces took over the site of the world’s most devastating nuclear accident. Not for the first time, Chornobyl became a strategic nightmare.
The Former Proud Boys Leader Finds Out
Enrique Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison on charges related to January 6.
How Jimmy Buffett Created an Empire
The musician knew how to translate the power of a loyal community into a successful business.
Winners of the Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
Some of the winning and honored entries in this year’s bird-photography competition
A DeSantis Speech Too Dangerous to Teach in Florida
The governor championed rules that bar frank discussions of racist violence—like the one he offered in the aftermath of a mass shooting—in the state’s schools.
The Novel That Helped Me Understand American Culture
The Bell Jar provided an emotional context for a country I found alluring as a teenager growing up abroad.
Okay, the 1980s Lakers Were Great—What Else?
HBO’s streaming show about the “Showtime” era is doing too much in its second season, without saying anything of consequence.
How American Democracy Fell So Far Behind
The country’s Constitution was once the standard-bearer for the world. Today, many other countries have much fairer systems for electing their leaders and passing laws.
Elite College Students Are Doing It to Themselves
Clubs at Yale and other universities have become competitive to the point of absurdity.