The Pope’s Most Revealing Choice So Far
By choosing the name Leo XIV, the pope has indicated that he won’t merely be progressive or conservative.
Airport Detentions Have Travelers ‘Freaked Out’
Fears of being detained are in overdrive, even if the Trump administration insists that they’re overblown.
Why the Past 10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid
It’s not just a phase.
The Conclave Just Did the Unthinkable
What an American pope means for the Catholic Church and the world
A Defense Against Gaslighting Sociopaths
If you can recognize their signature move, then forewarned is forearmed.
The Actual Math Behind DOGE’s Cuts
If you thought Elon Musk was really trying to cut costs, you weren’t in on the joke.
Is This the Worst-Ever Era of American Pop Culture?
An emerging critical consensus argues that we’ve entered a cultural dark age. I’m not so sure.
The Golden Age of the Fried-Chicken Sandwich
The sun is setting on burger dominance.
What Parents of Boys Should Know
Daughters tend to receive higher levels of affection and patience at home than sons. But the sons might need it more.
How the Ivy League Broke America
The meritocracy isn’t working. We need something new.
The Republicans’ Budget Makes No Sense
Congress is trying to preserve the illusion of revenue while cutting taxes.
A Ticking Clock on American Freedom
It’s later than you think, but it’s not too late.
We’re All Living in a Carl Hiaasen Novel
In the mangroves with Florida’s poet of excess and grift
Why We Long for the Most Difficult Days of Parenthood
Older parents are always telling parents of young children to cherish every second; it will be gone in a flash. But it’s very difficult advice to follow in the thick of it.
Something Alarming Is Happening to the Job Market
A new sign that AI is competing with college grads
The Top Goal of Project 2025 Is Still to Come
The now-famous white paper has proved to be a good road map for what the administration has done so far, and what may yet be on the way.
The Oddball British Comedy Show I Thought I’d Hate (And Learned to Love)
The cult favorite Taskmaster has a nonsensical premise that slowly bowled me over.
Read The Atlantic’s Interview With Donald Trump
A conversation with the president about executive power, Signalgate, and 24-karat gold
The Bliss of a Quieter Ego
We live in a world of noisy narcissism, but you can escape the cacophony—and be happier.
How Hitler Dismantled a Democracy in 53 Days
He used the constitution to shatter the constitution.
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