Cultural Criticism and Analysis

Left to right: Ayman Mohyeldin, Ali Melshi, and Mehdi Hasan.

The Fight Over MSNBC’s Cave-in to Islamophobia The Fight Over MSNBC’s Cave-in to Islamophobia

Amid war fever and bigoted violence, we have to combat media cowardice.

Oct 16, 2023 / Jeet Heer

How Everything Became Data

How Everything Became Data How Everything Became Data

Starting with the birth of statistics in the 19th century and concluding with algorithms and AI systems, a new book examines how humans became studied as a set of ones and zeroes....

Oct 16, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Ben Tarnoff

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, 2023, in New York City.

Israel’s Response to Its 9/11 Risks Missing the Lessons of America’s 9/11 Israel’s Response to Its 9/11 Risks Missing the Lessons of America’s 9/11

Ignoring intelligence failures and doubling down on bad policy is the worst response to terrorism.

Oct 9, 2023 / Jeet Heer

Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde’s Art of Disobedience Oscar Wilde’s Art of Disobedience

Revisiting his critical writing, we learn a valuable lesson about the critic’s role in refusing bad taste and bad politics.

Oct 9, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Rachel Vorona Cote

Liberties: A Magazine in Revolt Against the New

Liberties: A Magazine in Revolt Against the New Liberties: A Magazine in Revolt Against the New

Tolerance, rigor, open-mindedness, and a willingness to countenance doubt and contradiction apparently are all values the magazine champions in theory but tends to ignore in pract...

Oct 2, 2023 / Books & the Arts / David Klion

Naomi Klein’s Quest to Understand Her Double

Naomi Klein’s Quest to Understand Her Double Naomi Klein’s Quest to Understand Her Double

In her new book, a case of mistaken identity reveals how life online and off has become more and more polarized. 

Oct 2, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Laura Kipnis

“Succession” for suckers: While Lachlan Murdoch (left) gets the fancy title, Rupert retains the ultimate power.

Rupert Murdoch’s Final Con Game Rupert Murdoch’s Final Con Game

Announcing his exit, the right-wing baron mixes public populism and private elitism.

Sep 25, 2023 / Jeet Heer

A security guard stands in the doorway during a press viewing of

What Museum Guards See What Museum Guards See

A recent memoir by Patrick Bringley about his time working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art illustrates the intimate knowledge guards possess of the pieces they protect.

Sep 25, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Barry Schwabsky

Joe Matt

Farewell to a Poor Bastard Farewell to a Poor Bastard

Joe Matt (1963–2023) made hilarious comedy of his own misery.

Sep 21, 2023 / Obituary / Jeet Heer

Malick Bauer in Sam - A Saxon

German Like Me German Like Me

Culture / September 20, 2023 German Like Me How an Afro-German TV series about the GDR’s first Black police officer became an international hit. Linda Mannheim Share Copy Link…

Sep 20, 2023 / Linda Mannheim

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