The Likability Factor The Likability Factor
“The polls agree: President Barack Obama is likable. The question is whether he’s likable enough to get re-elected.” — Politico It’s said, as a rule, the most likable guy Is likely the guy who’ll pull through. And, given the candidates now set to try, The Democrats hope that is true. Though voters, polls show, think Obama is cool And Romney is colder than ice, More likable’s not an infallible tool. Remember: Dick Nixon won twice.
Jun 14, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
A Vast Choir of Voices: On Claude Lanzmann A Vast Choir of Voices: On Claude Lanzmann
In his memoir, The Patagonian Hare, the Shoah director’s life upstages his masterwork.
Jun 13, 2012 / Books & the Arts / David Rieff
A Crisis of Spirit in the Age of ‘Colbert’ A Crisis of Spirit in the Age of ‘Colbert’
The values of the market have come to permeate every aspect of our society.
Jun 6, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Eric Foner
Business Experience Business Experience
Last week, Mitt Romney floated an idea at a campaign rally in Las Vegas: the future president should be required to have three years of business experience before serving in office. —The Washington Post Experience in business is vital, said Mitt— Three years at the least, in the plan he unveiled. Though Truman’s accomplishments seem to suggest The business in question would have to have failed.
Jun 6, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
The Higher Bealism: The Moral Limits of Markets The Higher Bealism: The Moral Limits of Markets
Why are moral and political thinkers failing to engage with the true, dispiriting scale of market sovereignty?
Jun 5, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Chris Lehmann
Ghosts and Machines: On Anne Tyler and Peter Carey Ghosts and Machines: On Anne Tyler and Peter Carey
The Beginner’s Goodbye, The Chemistry of Tears and the burden of inheritance.
Jun 5, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Leo Robson
Steve Wasserman: Amazon.com’s Takeover Steve Wasserman: Amazon.com’s Takeover
As a bookseller, Amazon has left no corner of the publishing world untouched. What will happen as it ventures into publishing original content?
Jun 1, 2012 / Books & the Arts / The Nation
Playing Doctor Playing Doctor
When it comes to the distant past, there’s a lot we don’t know about what occurred sexually.
May 30, 2012 / Books & the Arts / JoAnn Wypijewski
The Bain of Mitt Romney’s Existence The Bain of Mitt Romney’s Existence
He’s running on all of his triumphs at Bain, But some say the Democrats ought to refrain From saying Bain’s gain was at times inhumane (Because of its strategy aiming to drain A company’s treasure, no matter what pain Is caused to the workers whom it won’t retain). Yes, Bain did some good, its defenders explain: Some pension funds shared in its capital gain. So vulture’s a label for Mitt they disdain— Though buzzard’s OK, and is just as germane.
May 30, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
The Amazon Effect The Amazon Effect
Amazon got big fast, hastening the arrival of digital publishing. But how big is too big?
May 29, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Steve Wasserman