The “Song of the Summer” Is a Myth
A conversation with Spencer Kornhaber on the urge to anoint a soundtrack to the season
Houston Is on a Path to an All-Out Power Crisis
The city’s widespread outage is a preview of how bad things could get this hurricane season.
AI Has Become a Technology of Faith
Sam Altman and Arianna Huffington told me that they believe generative AI can help millions of suffering people. I’m not so sure.
If the Moon Landing Were a Romantic Comedy
Fly Me to the Moon is a surprisingly charming movie that speaks to our era of AI anxiety.
Is Kamala Harris Ready for Trump?
The vice president knows she’s auditioning.
The Hidden Cost of Gardens
What everyday plants can teach us about history
Trump Isn’t Even Pretending Anymore
He used to talk about taking on corporate power. Now he’s openly pandering to plutocrats—and polling more strongly than ever.
My Twin
A short story
The Trump National Convention
The Republicans’ gathering in Milwaukee next week will be simply this: a four-day fealty fest.
Photos of the Week: Death Valley, Hill Town, Eleventh Night
A stegosaurus fossil up for auction in New York, a newborn pangolin at the Prague Zoo, a Volleyball on Water tournament in Slovenia, a lightsaber training session in Mexico City, and much more
Biden’s Heartbreaking Press Conference
His pathos should not become America’s tragedy.
An Attempt to Check the Supreme Court’s Power
House Democrats’ articles of impeachment won’t advance, but they’re a striking escalation.
Yadnya Kasada: A Volcanic Ritual in Indonesia
Images of Hindu Tenggerese worshippers carrying offerings up the side of an active volcano, and tossing them in
The Sad Future of Grocery Shopping
Food shortages will make grocery shopping more expensive and less fun.
A Hundred Years of Mocking Vegetarians
For a rare lifestyle choice, vegetarianism tends to drive people pretty bonkers.
We Still Don’t Know What to Do With the Endless Stream of Trump Lies
It’s not just that he’s making things up, but that he’s distracting us from very real, very consequential problems.
Yes, Longlegs Is That Scary
The freaky new film, centered on a movie monster for the ages, is impressively eerie stuff.
A Crisis for Democrats
Can the party replace Joe Biden? Should it?
Democrats Turn to Their Deputy Leader
Even if Kamala Harris remains Joe Biden’s running mate and does not become the nominee, Democrats are realizing they need to improve her image.
I Went to Death Valley to Experience 129 Degrees
Sweating through one of the hottest days in history