Culture
Jann Wenner’s Blinkered Rock ‘n’ Roll Revolution Jann Wenner’s Blinkered Rock ‘n’ Roll Revolution
He built an empire on the foundations laid by Black musicians—but fails entirely to recognize that.
Farewell to a Poor Bastard Farewell to a Poor Bastard
Joe Matt (1963–2023) made hilarious comedy of his own misery.
In the Country of the Blind In the Country of the Blind
A conversation with Andrew Leland about his provocative new book about vision loss, disability politics, and the ways in which blindness looms large in our cultural imagination.
German Like Me German Like Me
How an Afro-German TV series about the GDR’s first Black police officer became an international hit.
Film
Oppenheimer’s Inopportune Opportunism Oppenheimer’s Inopportune Opportunism
On this episode of The Time of Monsters, Doug Bell joins the show to discuss Oppenheimer, McCarthyism, and the great scientist’s compromises with witch-hunters.
The Time of Monsters / Podcast / The Time of Monsters
Los Angeles Is Now the Country’s Leading Union Town Los Angeles Is Now the Country’s Leading Union Town
The West Coast capital, once famous for hostility to organized labor, emerges as the epicenter of national strike action.
Christian Petzold’s “Afire” Is the Summer’s Most Beguiling Film Christian Petzold’s “Afire” Is the Summer’s Most Beguiling Film
The German director’s latest is a sly comedy about writer’s block, a bad vacation, and the catastrophe of a warming world.
The Jewishness of “Oppenheimer” The Jewishness of “Oppenheimer”
Jewish Currents writers and editors Mari Cohen, David Klion, and Raphael Magarik on a surprising movie about the American left.
It’s a Barbie World—but Is That a Good Thing? It’s a Barbie World—but Is That a Good Thing?
On this episode of The Time of Monsters, Tarpley Hitt on the mixed messages of Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster.
Television
German Like Me German Like Me
How an Afro-German TV series about the GDR’s first Black police officer became an international hit.
Los Angeles Is Now the Country’s Leading Union Town Los Angeles Is Now the Country’s Leading Union Town
The West Coast capital, once famous for hostility to organized labor, emerges as the epicenter of national strike action.
The Secret Origins of Marvel The Secret Origins of Marvel
On this episode of The Time of Monsters, Elana Levin discusses Disney’s dishonest documentary and the greatness of Jack Kirby.
Architecture
The Future of Design Is Designing for Disability The Future of Design Is Designing for Disability
Accessibility should not be a grudging afterthought. With planning, it can lead to elegant, beautiful, and engaging art.
Architecture’s Labor Problem Architecture’s Labor Problem
The field tolerates misogyny, racism, and worker exploitation. No wonder it produced David Adjaye.
“The Nation” Names Kate Wagner Architecture Correspondent “The Nation” Names Kate Wagner Architecture Correspondent
From homes to offices, parks to parking lots, Wagner will cover the politics of built space under late-stage capitalism.
Music
Jann Wenner’s Blinkered Rock ‘n’ Roll Revolution Jann Wenner’s Blinkered Rock ‘n’ Roll Revolution
He built an empire on the foundations laid by Black musicians—but fails entirely to recognize that.
Top 10 Labor Day Songs Top 10 Labor Day Songs
In honor of Labor Day, here’s a stab at the impossible task of naming the best songs ever written about working people.
If the Left Doesn’t Channel Populist Resentment, We Know Who Will If the Left Doesn’t Channel Populist Resentment, We Know Who Will
What tone-deaf liberals can’t hear in Rich Men North of Richmond.
The New Bard of the Right The New Bard of the Right
When a video of his song “Rich Men North of Richmond” went viral, Oliver Anthony claimed he was politically “dead center.” His lyrics say otherwise.
The Return of Noname The Return of Noname
In her new album, Sundial, the rapper melds her activism and artistry seamlessly.
Publishing
A Book Is a Book Is a Book—Except When It’s an e-Book A Book Is a Book Is a Book—Except When It’s an e-Book
But corporate mega-publishers want purchasing a book to be like renting a movie or streaming an album.
Remembering Marvin Kitman Remembering Marvin Kitman
He ran for president of the United States in 1964—as the candidate of Monocle magazine.
Eat, Pray, Cringe Eat, Pray, Cringe
Elizabeth Gilbert’s next novel faced outcry for its setting in Russia. So, before she could get canceled, she canceled herself.
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