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 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.
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 Writer Who Slows Down the Speed-Reader
Culture and entertainment musts from Ashley Parker
Why Rich People Don’t Cover Their Windows
An unexpected status symbol has become a fixture of high-end homes.
Welcome to the Mafia Presidency
That’s a nice business you’ve got there.
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 Classic Childhood Pastime Is Fading
Kids on bikes once filled the streets. Not anymore.
Lamentations
A short story
The Feminine Pursuit of Swoleness
Casey Johnston’s new book, A Physical Education, considers how weight lifting can help you unlearn diet culture.
The Ciceronian Secret to Happiness
To feel good, do good.
Ken Casey: ‘I’m Not Going to Shut Up’
A conversation with the Dropkick Murphys front man about punk, politics, and Donald Trump
The AI Birthday Letter That Blew Me Away
Google is ushering in an era of custom chatbots.
The Reality My Medicaid Patients Face
With work requirements in place, many will be removed from Medicaid even though they should qualify.
Why China Isn’t a Bigger Player in the Middle East
Iran and Israel came to blows, and Beijing mostly ducked.
Your Sweaters Are Garbage
The quality of knitwear has cratered. Even expensive sweaters have lost their hefty, lush glory.
The World Economy Is on the Brink of Epochal Change
Capitalism’s operating system is due for a major upgrade. How that turns out depends on enormously consequential political choices.
What Moving Your Body Can Mean
Sometimes it takes a new community or type of exercise to reset your relationship with working out.
Nobody Cares If Music Is Real Anymore
“Rubber burns, the map fades away / Chasing the ghosts of yesterday.” Sure, fine.
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.
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