Trump’s Only-Okay Economy
He hasn’t crashed it, but he hasn’t made it great either. That’s a problem.
A Sea Story
One of the worst maritime disasters in European history took place in 1994. 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.
A Classic Childhood Pastime Is Fading
Kids on bikes once filled the streets. Not anymore.
When Hulk Hogan Turned Heel
Pro-wrestling—and America?—were never the same.
Welcome to the Mafia Presidency
That’s a nice business you’ve got there.
Lamentations
A short story
The AI Birthday Letter That Blew Me Away
Google is ushering in an era of custom chatbots.
A Writer Who Slows Down the Speed-Reader
Culture and entertainment musts from Ashley Parker
Why China Isn’t a Bigger Player in the Middle East
Iran and Israel came to blows, and Beijing mostly ducked.
The Whole Country Is Starting to Look Like California
Housing prices are rising fast in red and purple states known for being easy places to build. How can that be?
The Feminine Pursuit of Swoleness
Casey Johnston’s new book, A Physical Education, considers how weight lifting can help you unlearn diet culture.
Ken Casey: ‘I’m Not Going to Shut Up’
A conversation with the Dropkick Murphys front man about punk, politics, and Donald Trump
The Non-Exoneration of Diddy
Sean Combs’s acquittal on a racketeering charge doesn’t erase his history as a domestic abuser.
The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books
To read a book in college, it helps to have read a book in high school.
A Shift in American Family Values Is Fueling Estrangement
Both parents and adult children often fail to recognize how profoundly the rules of family life have changed over the past half century.
The Type of Love That Makes People Happiest
When it comes to lasting romance, passion has nothing on friendship.
What Trump—And the U.S.—Can’t Understand About Air Strikes
American leaders refuse to learn from allies and overestimate the benefits of showy tactical attacks.
Why Rich People Don’t Cover Their Windows
An unexpected status symbol has become a fixture of high-end homes.
The Birth-Rate Crisis Isn’t as Bad as You’ve Heard—It’s Worse
Humanity is set to start shrinking several decades ahead of schedule.
The Liberal Misinformation Bubble About Youth Gender Medicine
How the left ended up disbelieving the science
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