The ‘Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly’ of the United States Government
Elon Musk’s bureaucratic coup is under way.
The Anti-Social Century
Americans are now spending more time alone than ever. It’s changing our personalities, our politics, and even our relationship to reality.
The Beating Heart of Twin Peaks
David Lynch’s work was often described as “mysterious” or “surreal”—but the emotions it provoked were just as fundamental.
The Most Precious Blood on Earth
For people with very rare types, obtaining lifesaving blood can involve a complex network of donors and doctors that stretches across the globe.
America’s ‘Marriage Material’ Shortage
Adults are significantly less likely to be married or to live with a partner than they used to be.
The Democrats Show Why They Lost
At a meeting of the DNC, the party seemed to be at pains to demonstrate that it learned nothing from its 2024 defeat.
Seventy Miles in Hell
The Darién Gap was once considered impassable. Now hundreds of thousands of migrants are risking treacherous terrain, violence, hunger, and disease to travel through the jungle to the United States.
How America Got Mean
In a culture devoid of moral education, generations are growing up in a morally inarticulate, self-referential world.
Sun and Wood Can Be a Powerful Combination
In the right place, at the right time
The Race-Blind College-Admissions Era Is Off to a Weird Start
After the fall of affirmative action, things have not gone the way anyone expected.
Picking the Perfect Episode of TV
Readers share their selections from The Last of Us, West Wing, Community, and more.
The Last Days of American Orange Juice
Savor every last drop.
Are We Thinking About Gun Violence All Wrong?
The unexpected origins of gun crime
A New, Unbearably Honest Kind of Writing
Two authors’ memoirs attempt to communicate intensely isolating experiences to readers.
How to Stop Self-Obsessing and Be Happier
Some introspection is healthy and necessary, but too much can trap you in a cycle of misery.
The Rise of the Selfish Plutocrats
Instead of pursuing philanthropy, many now seek to evade social responsibility.
Is Google Making Us Stupid?
What the Internet is doing to our brains
Trump’s Conquest of the Kennedy Center Is Accelerating
The president has begun purging the board of Washington’s premier arts organization.
10 Indie Films You Should Watch for in 2025
Conan O’Brien’s dramatic debut and a look back at To Catch a Predator rank among the standouts at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
Lighthouse Parents Have More Confident Kids
Sometimes, the best thing a parent can do is nothing at all.