The Twin Drives of Love and Death
Atlantic writers have long meditated on these two fates of all living things.
How to Defeat a Mafia State
An unlikely coalition of urban professionals and Indigenous people has pulled off something extraordinary in Guatemala.
Why the Most Educated People in America Fall for Anti-Semitic Lies
At Harvard and elsewhere, an old falsehood is capturing new minds.
A Paradigm Shift in How Scientists Study Kids
Developmental psychology is notoriously reliant on certain demographics of children. A new tool is changing that.
The Other Time America Panicked Over a President’s Age
For two weeks in 1984, I made Ronald Reagan look old.
City Planning’s Greatest Innovation Makes a Comeback
Long live the street grid.
Of Course Presidents Are Officers of the United States
To think otherwise threatens the entire idea of a constitutional republic.
What If Your Best Friend Is Your Soulmate?
A new book explores deeply platonic friendships.
Anchorage Fell in Love With a White Raven
Reports that the leucistic raven was spotted at a McDonald’s—and then later at a Wendy’s—drew large crowds.
The Ex Factor in Valentine’s Day Marketing
Sex sells. Brands are banking on the idea that heartbreak does too.
The Moneyball Theory of Presidential Social Media
Not even the president can bend the internet to his will.
The Carry-On-Baggage Bubble Is About to Pop
Airplanes aren’t made for this much luggage.
Please, No More Shared Cinematic Universes
Madame Web doesn’t just scrape the bottom of the barrel—it finds new depths.
The Case for Spending Way More on Babies
Why America should give kids cash
Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out
Too much aloneness is creating a crisis of social fitness.
What Tom Suozzi’s Win Means for Democrats
His special-election victory offers his party a road map for rebutting Republicans on immigration this fall.
When Valentine’s Day Meets Ash Wednesday
Death reminds us of the limits of romantic love, but it also sets romantic love free.
How to Spend Your Time ‘Poorly’
A new novel puts Henry David Thoreau at its center and reveals what he was really searching for when he went off to live alone.
What Would It Take to Convince Americans That the Economy Is Fine?
When it comes to prosperity, Americans trust feelings more than facts.
What to Do If the Course of True Love Is Not Running Smoothly
Think of romance as being like a business start-up: You have to be prepared for failure, and learn from it, to realize ultimate bliss.