Culture

The Lost Souls of the Internet

The Lost Souls of the Internet The Lost Souls of the Internet

In Searches, Vauhini Vara probes the ways that we rely on the Internet and how we periodically attempt to free ourselves from its grip.

Sep 10, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Laila Lalami

Susan Choi’s Big Novel of History

Susan Choi’s Big Novel of History Susan Choi’s Big Novel of History

In Flashlight, Choi examines the tragedies—past and present—that haunt a family living in Japan.

Sep 10, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Sarah Chihaya

A pedestrian wears a “Make America Great Again” hat outside the US Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC.

Trump’s Really Bad Week in Court—Plus, the New Film by China’s Top Director Trump’s Really Bad Week in Court—Plus, the New Film by China’s Top Director

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Erwin Chemerinsky on Trump losing four big cases, and John Powers on Caught by the Tides.

Sep 10, 2025 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

The Ghosts of Ingeborg Bachmann

The Ghosts of Ingeborg Bachmann The Ghosts of Ingeborg Bachmann

Haunted by a dark past, the poet and novelist tried to explore the limits of language itself.

Sep 9, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Becca Rothfeld

Joe Biden at a cabinet meeting in 2021.

The Catastrophe of Democratic Foreign Policy The Catastrophe of Democratic Foreign Policy

A new book on the Biden’s wars serves as a stark reminder that the Democrats need to formulate a new foreign policy—as well as reckon with the one they had.

Sep 9, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Matthew Duss

James Baldwin’s Radical Politics of Love

James Baldwin’s Radical Politics of Love James Baldwin’s Radical Politics of Love

While Baldwin was persecuted in part because of whom he loved, it was love that impelled him to bring about a more utopian future in which such persecution was not possible.

Sep 9, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Elias Rodriques

Donald Trump speaks to members of the media as he departs a House Republican meeting at the US Capitol on May 20, 2025, in Washington, DC. Trump joined conservative House lawmakers to help push through their budget bill after it advanced through the House Budget Committee on Sunday evening.

Stable Business Genius Stable Business Genius

Sep 9, 2025 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Rebecca Solnit on Trump, Books, and the Reincarnation of King George III

Rebecca Solnit on Trump, Books, and the Reincarnation of King George III Rebecca Solnit on Trump, Books, and the Reincarnation of King George III

A conversation with the writer and activist about living in a nation where those who lead are often disinclined to read—let alone write—meaningful books.

Sep 8, 2025 / Q&A / John Nichols

William F. Buckley Jr.’s Friends and Enemies

William F. Buckley Jr.’s Friends and Enemies William F. Buckley Jr.’s Friends and Enemies

What was it about Buckley that made him so attractive to liberals—and what was it about liberals that caused them to be attracted to conservative figures like Buckley in the first...

Sep 8, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Jeet Heer

Clint Eastwood at the Cannes Film Festival, 2017.

The Enigma of Clint Eastwood The Enigma of Clint Eastwood

Is he merely a reactionary, or do his films paint a more complicated picture?

Sep 4, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Adam Nayman

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