That Dropped Call With Customer Service? It Was on Purpose.
Endless wait times and excessive procedural fuss—it’s all part of a tactic called “sludge.”
Trump’s Only-Okay Economy
He hasn’t crashed it, but he hasn’t made it great either. That’s a problem.
Thirty-Two Short Stories About Death in Prison
These stories don’t mention Jeffrey Epstein, but they are about him.
The Most Perverse Part of the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’
The Republican megabill could be setting America up for the worst energy-affordability crisis since the 1970s.
Why Can’t Americans Sleep?
Insomnia has become a public-health emergency.
A Writer Who Slows Down the Speed-Reader
Culture and entertainment musts from Ashley Parker
The AI Birthday Letter That Blew Me Away
Google is ushering in an era of custom chatbots.
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?
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.
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 an Early Start Is the ‘Quintessence of Life’
Not sleeping late could be the best resolution you ever keep.
When Hulk Hogan Turned Heel
Pro-wrestling—and America?—were never the same.
Why China Isn’t a Bigger Player in the Middle East
Iran and Israel came to blows, and Beijing mostly ducked.
Lamentations
A short story
Nobody Cares If Music Is Real Anymore
“Rubber burns, the map fades away / Chasing the ghosts of yesterday.” Sure, fine.
What Moving Your Body Can Mean
Sometimes it takes a new community or type of exercise to reset your relationship with working out.
The Ciceronian Secret to Happiness
To feel good, do good.
Why Rich People Don’t Cover Their Windows
An unexpected status symbol has become a fixture of high-end homes.
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.
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