Culture
What Are Drugs For? What Are Drugs For?
A conversation with P.E. Moskowitz about the chemical imbalance theory of depression, the false schism between prescription and recreational drugs, and collective psychic pain.
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.
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.
How Did Republican Fashion Go From Blazers to Belligerence? How Did Republican Fashion Go From Blazers to Belligerence?
Trump and his cronies’ style reflects a platform where grievance is currency and performance is power.
Books
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.
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.
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.
Film
The Enigma of Clint Eastwood The Enigma of Clint Eastwood
Is he merely a reactionary, or do his films paint a more complicated picture?
Is Tom Cruise the Last Action Hero? Is Tom Cruise the Last Action Hero?
After a strange, controversial career, he has become one of the few figures who upholds the old rules of Hollywood—where the human body is the greatest special effect.
The Empty Provocations of “Eddington” The Empty Provocations of “Eddington”
Ari Aster’s farcical western is billed as a send-up of the puerile politics of the Covid years. In reality, it’s a film that seems to have no politics at all.
Billy Wilder’s Battle With the Past Billy Wilder’s Battle With the Past
How the fabled Hollywood director confronted survivor’s guilt, the legacies of the Holocaust, and the paradoxes of Zionism.
The New Deal and the Popular Front Gave Us Superman The New Deal and the Popular Front Gave Us Superman
The real Man of Steel wasn’t woke, but he was radical.
Television
The Revolutionary Politics of “Andor” The Revolutionary Politics of “Andor”
The latest addition to the “Star Wars “series offers an intricate tale of radicalization and its costs.
Jay Leno’s Phony Case for Balanced Comedy Jay Leno’s Phony Case for Balanced Comedy
The former “Tonight Show” host thinks a dose of bothsidesism will punch up the late-night scene.
The New Deal and the Popular Front Gave Us Superman The New Deal and the Popular Front Gave Us Superman
The real Man of Steel wasn’t woke, but he was radical.
Architecture
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.
Iranian Brickwork Shows Us Better Architecture Is Possible Iranian Brickwork Shows Us Better Architecture Is Possible
Why the beauty and inventiveness of contemporary masonry in Iran has captured Western audiences.
Norman Foster’s 270 Park and the Rise of the New Office Building Norman Foster’s 270 Park and the Rise of the New Office Building
The building’s dramatic and dazzling feats of architecture make it appear as if it were hovering above the street. But is that a good thing?
Music
“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?
Billy Hart’s Life in Rhythm Billy Hart’s Life in Rhythm
The legendary jazz drummer played with Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, and Stan Getz. His new memoir tells all—and lays out his own philosophy.
Brian Wilson (1942–2025) Outlived the Times He Helped Define Brian Wilson (1942–2025) Outlived the Times He Helped Define
When the Beach Boys front man died, the obituaries described him as a genius. Which means what, exactly?
Publishing
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.
My Grandmother Stood Up to Nixon—Jeff Bezos Should Take Note My Grandmother Stood Up to Nixon—Jeff Bezos Should Take Note
Fifty-four years ago, Katharine Graham defended “The Washington Post” against presidential threats. Her granddaughter now fears its soul is being sold.
Latest in Culture
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 / Jon Wiener
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
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
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Remakes the Family Drama Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Remakes the Family Drama
His latest work, “Purpose”, evokes Chekov in its exploration of faith, parents, and politics.
Aug 27, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Alisa Solomon
Trump Wants to Make Art Into a Tool of the State Trump Wants to Make Art Into a Tool of the State
In ordering a review of the Smithsonian, the White House wants to use its power to remake our culture—or to reinvigorate a strain in the culture that has been dormant for a long t…
Aug 22, 2025 / Barry Schwabsky
The Art and Genius of Lorna Simpson The Art and Genius of Lorna Simpson
A new exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art tracks what has changed and what has remained the same in the artist’s work.
Aug 18, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Rachel Hunter Himes