No One Cares That the Chimpanzee Is Singing
The musical biopic Better Man is so much more than its curious gimmick.
DNA Tests Are Uncovering the True Prevalence of Incest
People are discovering the truth about their biological parents with DNA—and learning that incest is far more common than many think.
How the Ski Business Got Too Big for Its Boots
A recent strike at a major resort has put the spotlight on what a bad deal both workers and visitors are getting.
The Scientist vs. the Machine
What happened when AI took over these researchers’ jobs?
Harvard Didn’t Break America
Readers respond to our December 2024 cover story and more.
Why the Past 10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid
It’s not just a phase.
Why Didn’t Jack Smith Charge Trump With Insurrection?
The law simply wasn’t prepared for a sitting president who would attempt to steal an election.
How the Ivy League Broke America
The meritocracy isn’t working. We need something new.
A Sea Story
One of the worst maritime disasters in European history took place two decades ago. It remains very much in the public eye. On a stormy night on the Baltic Sea, more than 850 people lost their lives when a luxurious ferry sank below the waves. From a mass of material, including official and unofficial reports and survivor testimony, our correspondent has distilled an account of the Estonia’s last moments—part of his continuing coverage for the magazine of anarchy on the high seas.
Not Just Sober-Curious, but Neo-Temperate
How sobriety went from a radical social movement to a tool of self-optimization
The Brain on Trial
Advances in brain science are calling into question the volition behind many criminal acts. A leading neuroscientist describes how the foundations of our criminal-justice system are beginning to crumble, and proposes a new way forward for law and order.
Where Han Kang’s Nightmares Come From
In her novels, the South Korean Nobel laureate returns again and again to her country’s bloody past.
Trump Is Right That Pax Americana Is Over
But will he bother to build something new?
Trump Is Facing a Catastrophic Defeat in Ukraine
If Ukraine falls, it will be hard to spin as anything but a debacle for the United States, and for its president.
Iran’s Return to Pragmatism
The events of 2024 shifted the balance of power in the Middle East—and inside Iran.
Why Rich Kids Are So Good at the Marshmallow Test
Affluence—not willpower—seems to be what’s behind some kids’ capacity to delay gratification.
The Case for Brain Rot
The new language of the internet is both mind-numbing and irresistible.
The Easiest Way to Keep Your Friends
It’s a little boring, a little type A, and a lot better than letting relationships fizzle.
Why an Early Start Is the ‘Quintessence of Life’
Not sleeping late could be the best resolution you ever keep.
Don’t Use These Free-Speech Arguments Ever Again
Most speech, hateful or not, is protected by the Constitution. To pretend otherwise is foolhardy.