Is Comedy Really an Art? Is Comedy Really an Art?
A history of comedy’s last three decades of pop culture dominance argues that it is among the consequential American art forms.
Apr 24, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Ginny Hogan
As Atrocities Unfold, Those Documenting Rights Violations Are Getting Laid Off As Atrocities Unfold, Those Documenting Rights Violations Are Getting Laid Off
Human Rights Watch just let go of 39 staffers. Workers are demanding executives take pay cuts instead
Apr 24, 2024 / Saliha Bayrak
Columbia Is Waging War on Dissent Columbia Is Waging War on Dissent
The university is under pressure to root out any students or faculty critical of Israel—and it’s already caved.
Apr 1, 2024 / Katherine Franke
A Dispatch From the Land of the “Sleepless” A Dispatch From the Land of the “Sleepless”
A French writer’s memoir of her insomnia tries to understand how central sleep is to cultural and intellectual history.
Mar 28, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Alyse Burnside
The Unexpected and Uncertain Result of Pakistan’s Elections The Unexpected and Uncertain Result of Pakistan’s Elections
Former prime minister Imran Khan’s party was banned from running. But as independent candidates, Khan’s allies claim to have won a majority.
Feb 12, 2024 / Hasan Ali
Clarence Thomas Broke the Law. Why Is He Not Being Prosecuted? Clarence Thomas Broke the Law. Why Is He Not Being Prosecuted?
The debate about whether Supreme Court justices are bound by ethics rules drew attention away from the fact that Clarence Thomas’s conduct violated federal laws.
Feb 12, 2024 / William W. Taylor III
The Metaphysical Horror of “The Curse” The Metaphysical Horror of “The Curse”
From its first moments to its antic end, the series exposes its viewers to an abundance of anxious perturbation but it does something else too: It reveals the absurdity all around...
Jan 12, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Sarah Chihaya
The George Santos Show Was Fun, but It’s Time for the Series Finale The George Santos Show Was Fun, but It’s Time for the Series Finale
Santos is undeniably captivating, but he is not a lovable scammer. He’s a hard-right ideologue, and we will all be better off without him.
Dec 1, 2023 / Faith Branch
Why Don't Americans Believe in Science? Why Don't Americans Believe in Science?
When medicine doesn’t focus on prevention, anti-vaccination rhetoric flourishes. It’s time to address the system.
Nov 30, 2023 / Philip Eil
Biden Doesn’t Need Congress for His Plan to Support Domestic Workers Biden Doesn’t Need Congress for His Plan to Support Domestic Workers
For the first time, the Department of Labor is offering sample agreements for domestic workers and their employers to clarify expectations and protect workers’ rights.
Nov 17, 2023 / Sara Luterman