Books and Ideas

Banking on Bullshit

Banking on Bullshit Banking on Bullshit

Anastasia Nesvetailova and Ronen Palan’s recent book argues that the financial system is built on a system that incentivizes sabotage and cheating.

Mar 10, 2020 / Robin Kaiser-Schatzlein

Danez Smith Makes Room for the Messiness of Language

Danez Smith Makes Room for the Messiness of Language Danez Smith Makes Room for the Messiness of Language

We talked to Smith about their new poetry collection, Homie, and what it means to create poetic space for your community. 

Mar 5, 2020 / Q&A / Rosemarie Ho

Close-up image of Richard Grenell speaking.

Richard Grenell Named Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell Named Acting Director of National Intelligence

The flunky ranks begin to swell: Trump’s intel chief’s now R. Grenell, Who must repel what doesn’t jell With hokum all Fox anchors sell. On non-Fox facts he mustn’t dwell Or he wil…

Mar 3, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Comix Nation

Comix Nation Comix Nation

ignore this…

Mar 3, 2020 / Joey Perr

The Protests That Made and Unmade Japan’s Postwar Left

The Protests That Made and Unmade Japan’s Postwar Left The Protests That Made and Unmade Japan’s Postwar Left

The demonstrations against the Anpo treaty remain the largest protest movement in Japanese history and yet their defeat cleared the path for decades of conservative rule.

Mar 3, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Colin Jones

Jenny Offill’s Novel of Climate Dread

Jenny Offill’s Novel of Climate Dread Jenny Offill’s Novel of Climate Dread

In Weather, Offill is reluctant to offer false comfort, but she does ask us if worrying is enough.

Mar 2, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Tony Tulathimutte

Richard Rorty waiting to speak, wearing glasses and a suit.

Reading Richard Rorty in Tehran Reading Richard Rorty in Tehran

What the American philosopher’s visit to Tehran in 2004 can teach us about Iranian society—and our own.

Feb 28, 2020 / Samuel Thrope

The Chicago Police Department’s History of Torture

The Chicago Police Department’s History of Torture The Chicago Police Department’s History of Torture

Laurence Ralph’s The Torture Letters recounts an extensive history of police abuse and violence in the CPD.

Feb 27, 2020 / Ed Burmila

WWII’s Refugee Academics and the Myth of a Welcoming American Academy

WWII’s Refugee Academics and the Myth of a Welcoming American Academy WWII’s Refugee Academics and the Myth of a Welcoming American Academy

Laurel Leff’s Well Worth Saving looks at the lives of Jewish professors who sought asylum in the United States and were denied entry.

Feb 26, 2020 / Hannah Stamler

Donald Trump

Trump Has Lifted the Mask From Our Empty Political Traditions Trump Has Lifted the Mask From Our Empty Political Traditions

His naked callousness has shown plainly that these rituals sometimes reveal the nonsense they’re meant to cover up.

Feb 25, 2020 / Andrew J. Bacevich

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