Books and Ideas

Emily St. John Mandel’s Neatly Designed Worlds

Emily St. John Mandel’s Neatly Designed Worlds Emily St. John Mandel’s Neatly Designed Worlds

Her new novel, a time travel story called Sea of Tranquility, presents a universe lacking in loose ends or messiness.

Apr 11, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Sophia Nguyen

Ari Brostoff

Ari Brostoff’s Truth Is Out There Ari Brostoff’s Truth Is Out There

The author’s debut collection, Missing Time, is an eclectic mix of left-wing cultural criticism and personal essays on topics like The X-Files.

Apr 7, 2022 / Q&A / Natasha Lennard

How Can Puerto Rico Escape the Debt Trap?

How Can Puerto Rico Escape the Debt Trap? How Can Puerto Rico Escape the Debt Trap?

When it comes to Puerto Rico, the questions of debt haunt everyday life and shape the colonial reality of the island.

Apr 6, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Ed Morales

CARASA demonstration

Where Is the Women’s Movement? Where Is the Women’s Movement?

Why do young feminists seem more interested in social media than in building feminist organizations? 

Apr 5, 2022 / Meredith Tax

The Fantasias of Niki de Saint Phalle

The Fantasias of Niki de Saint Phalle The Fantasias of Niki de Saint Phalle

Her art aimed at the creation of two things: the fashioning of a new self and a new world.  

Apr 5, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Jillian Steinhauer

Tucker Carlson

Tucker Carson on the War in Ukraine Tucker Carson on the War in Ukraine

“Kremlin memo urged media to use Tucker Carlson clips” —The Guardian There are no autocrats he can’t abide, So Carlson seems to be on Putin’s side. Thus, Russian television runs hi…

Apr 5, 2022 / Column / Calvin Trillin

“F*ck Leftist Westsplaining!”

“F*ck Leftist Westsplaining!” “F*ck Leftist Westsplaining!”

Listening to voices of the Central and East European left.

Apr 4, 2022 / Linda Mannheim

The Many American Revolutions

The Many American Revolutions The Many American Revolutions

Woody Holton’s Liberty is Sweet charts not only the contest with Great Britain over “home rule” but also the internal struggle over who should rule at home. 

Apr 4, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Eric Foner

Black Like Me? “Bridgerton” and the Fantasy of a Non-Racist Past

Black Like Me? “Bridgerton” and the Fantasy of a Non-Racist Past Black Like Me? “Bridgerton” and the Fantasy of a Non-Racist Past

We can imagine a world where the only thing wrong with racial inequality is that non-white people are not allowed to share in the spoils of empire—but would we really want to live ...

Apr 4, 2022 / Feature / Gary Younge

Silicon Valley Founders Are Not the Protagonists of Reality

Silicon Valley Founders Are Not the Protagonists of Reality Silicon Valley Founders Are Not the Protagonists of Reality

The fall of bloated tech start-ups isn’t tragic, regardless of what the recent spate of TV series would have you believe.

Mar 31, 2022 / Malcolm Harris

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