Culture
How Can We Fix American Democracy? How Can We Fix American Democracy?
Preserving our democracy is as urgent a task as ever, but the question is how.
Rethinking Nuremberg for the 21st Century Rethinking Nuremberg for the 21st Century
The new film Nuremberg may tell us as much about the present as about the past.
The Invention of the Modern Self The Invention of the Modern Self
How did the idea of the individual come into being?
Zadie Smith: “I Say What I See” Zadie Smith: “I Say What I See”
A conversation with the acclaimed author about her new essay collection, Dead and Alive.
Books
How Can We Fix American Democracy? How Can We Fix American Democracy?
Preserving our democracy is as urgent a task as ever, but the question is how.
The Invention of the Modern Self The Invention of the Modern Self
How did the idea of the individual come into being?
Chester Himes’s Harlem Noirs Chester Himes’s Harlem Noirs
Himes helped reinvent the idea of the detective novel. He also transformed it into a powerful vehicle for social criticism.
Film
Rethinking Nuremberg for the 21st Century Rethinking Nuremberg for the 21st Century
The new film Nuremberg may tell us as much about the present as about the past.
Joachim Trier’s Nostalgic Lens Joachim Trier’s Nostalgic Lens
In Sentimental Value, the Norwegian filmmaker’s most ambitious work yet, he examines the porous boundary between art and life.
The Pending Disaster of a Skydance-Warners Merger The Pending Disaster of a Skydance-Warners Merger
The Ellison family’s aggressive pursuit of the WBD empire would shred news values and further pillage movie and TV production.
Who’s the Boss? Who’s the Boss?
A bowdlerized biopic of Bruce Springsteen, starring Jeremy Allen White, flattens a musician whose politics and identity are much more complicated.
A Downbeat Take on the Heist Movie A Downbeat Take on the Heist Movie
Kelly Reichardt’s latest, a sly 1970s drama involving a museum theft, probes the broken politics of the decade.
Television
The Pending Disaster of a Skydance-Warners Merger The Pending Disaster of a Skydance-Warners Merger
The Ellison family’s aggressive pursuit of the WBD empire would shred news values and further pillage movie and TV production.
Trump’s Tony Soprano Presidency Is Bleeding the Country Dry Trump’s Tony Soprano Presidency Is Bleeding the Country Dry
The thrill many felt of having a made-for-TV-mobster president is gone.
The Sonic Risks of PUP and Rico Nasty The Sonic Risks of PUP and Rico Nasty
On their new albums, the punk rockers and rapper break all the rules.
Architecture
Your Dream House Might Be a Fantasy Your Dream House Might Be a Fantasy
AI has has invaded the real estate industry, dissolving the boundaries between image enhancement and false advertising.
Why Did UChicago Destroy the Humanities? Why Did UChicago Destroy the Humanities?
The answer is simple: to spend untold sums on useless buildings by starchitects.
No, the White House Is Not Getting a 90,000-Foot Extension No, the White House Is Not Getting a 90,000-Foot Extension
But Trump’s doomed proposal does give us a revealing glimpse into his state of mind.
Music
Who’s the Boss? Who’s the Boss?
A bowdlerized biopic of Bruce Springsteen, starring Jeremy Allen White, flattens a musician whose politics and identity are much more complicated.
The Sonic Risks of PUP and Rico Nasty The Sonic Risks of PUP and Rico Nasty
On their new albums, the punk rockers and rapper break all the rules.
“It’s a Warning, Set to a Dance Beat”: Jon Batiste on His New Song 20 Years After Katrina “It’s a Warning, Set to a Dance Beat”: Jon Batiste on His New Song 20 Years After Katrina
The New Orleans jazz great tells Covering Climate Now, “When you make a song, you want to inspire people, but you also want to let them know what they can do.”
Ozzy Osbourne, Rock God Despite Himself (1948–2025) Ozzy Osbourne, Rock God Despite Himself (1948–2025)
The Prince of Darkness, who gave us heavy metal as we know it, has been laid to rest.
The Life and Times of Talking Heads The Life and Times of Talking Heads
How influential was the New Wave band?
Publishing
Chester Himes’s Harlem Noirs Chester Himes’s Harlem Noirs
Himes helped reinvent the idea of the detective novel. He also transformed it into a powerful vehicle for social criticism.
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.
Militarism Has Long Worked to Shield Antisemitism Militarism Has Long Worked to Shield Antisemitism
From the Cold War till Donald Trump, there’s always been a special dispensation for hawkish bigots.
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