What Pete Hegseth’s Nomination Is Really About
Revenge on the military is just the start of it.
Taylor Swift Is a Perfect Example of How Publishing Is Changing
Swift is a symptom, not a cause, of the weakening bonds between celebrities and publishing houses.
How America Got Mean
In a culture devoid of moral education, generations are growing up in a morally inarticulate, self-referential world.
The AI War Was Never Just About AI
Tech giants such as Google and Meta need something more than compelling chatbots to win.
A Horror Movie About an Atheist Who Won’t Shut Up
The hollowness at the center of Heretic
A Guide for the Politically Homeless
Those left adrift by Trump’s rise must now engage in a new project.
A Ridiculous, Perfect Way to Make Friends
Group fitness classes aren’t just about exercise.
Even Worse Than The Da Vinci Code
Conclave treats Catholic theology as mere policy, like the membership rules at Augusta National.
Best of How To: Spend Time on What You Value
How to make the most of your downtime
My Home Is a Horror of Unfinished Tasks
Why can’t I get anything done?
Three Ways to Become a Deeper Thinker
You don’t have to become a Buddhist monk to realize the value of contemplating hard questions without clear answers.
Kendrick Lamar Makes His Point Clearer
On his new album, GNX, a rapper who’s obsessed with excellence tries to entertain the masses.
The Right Has a Bluesky Problem
The X exodus is weakening a way for conservatives to speak to the masses.
This Is What Happens to All the Stuff You Don’t Want
I ventured into the belly of the holiday-returns beast.
The Trump Marathon
If Americans want to hold Trump accountable in a second term, they must keep their heads when he uses chaos as a strategy.
Thanksgiving Should Be in October
A modest proposal for fixing the back-to-back-holiday crunch
When Haruki Murakami Takes His Own Magic for Granted
The Japanese author’s popularity rests on a blend of mystery and accessibility. His latest novel fails to achieve that balance.
The War on Poverty Is Over. Rich People Won.
The sociologist Matthew Desmond believes that being poor is different in the U.S. than in other rich countries.
Everyone Agrees Americans Aren’t Healthy
The Biden administration tried to address the country’s health problems, with only modest success.
The Atlantic Gift Guide
The Atlantic has chosen 65 gifts for bringing more merriment, adventure, and wonder to the ones you love.