George Packer’s Liberal Faith George Packer’s Liberal Faith
In his new book, Packer returns to his theme of liberalism in crisis and in need of renewal.
Nov 15, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Nikhil Pal Singh
Mort Sahl, 1927–2021: The Comic as Social Critic Mort Sahl, 1927–2021: The Comic as Social Critic
Sahl diagnosed the disease of America in 1967 as “right-wing social democracy,” an ideology that is fine with war.
Nov 15, 2021 / Column / David Bromwich
How Protest Moves From the Streets Into the Statehouse How Protest Moves From the Streets Into the Statehouse
In The Loud Minority, Daniel Gillion examines the relationship between electoral politics and protest movements.
Nov 13, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Erin Pineda
25 scenes in which the circumstances did not apply 25 scenes in which the circumstances did not apply
N 1. in the light of a lamppost, a black fence in the background, wearing a long, fabulously well-cut black coat, feet in leather boots, 6’4” over me, he is a pylon in his eyes all…
Nov 11, 2021 / Poems / Radna Fabias
Kurt Vonnegut’s Prescient Insight Into Veterans’ Trauma Kurt Vonnegut’s Prescient Insight Into Veterans’ Trauma
Well before PTSD became an official diagnosis, his classic novel Slaughterhouse-Five described the psychic wounds of war.
Nov 11, 2021 / Tom Roston
The Request of the Doe The Request of the Doe
The old doe wanted to be witnessed in pain for eternity. Cut and bandaged and then cut up again. Fine, they said. We’ll see how you fare. They took her into the sterile room and co…
Nov 9, 2021 / Poems / Bianca Stone
The Counter-Intuitivist The Counter-Intuitivist
You never know what he’s going to say next!
Nov 9, 2021 / Tom Tomorrow
The Anatomy of a Dog Whistle The Anatomy of a Dog Whistle
Acting outside of our awareness, using frequencies we may not consciously hear, dog whistles evade our better angels on race.
Nov 9, 2021 / Drew Westen
Dave Chappelle’s Comedy of Bitterness Dave Chappelle’s Comedy of Bitterness
In his recent special The Closer, and his response to critics of it, he outlines a strange version of identity politics where comedians are always the victims.
Nov 9, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
Omar El Akkad’s Odyssey of Hope Omar El Akkad’s Odyssey of Hope
His recent novel What Strange Paradise examines the personal and political toll of the refugee crisis.
Nov 8, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Adil Bhat