The New Yorker
The Art of Memory
The history of slavery is one of elisions and silences. In Montgomery, Alabama, Bryan Stevenson has displayed the realities of enslavement on a monumental scale. Doreen St. Félix visits his museum, his memorial, and a newly built sculpture park, which indict the city of Montgomery while also transforming it with monuments that reflect its Black constituency.
Above the Fold
Essential reading for today.
The Shameless Oral Arguments in the Supreme Court’s Abortion-Pill Case
Even some conservative Justices seemed unpersuaded by the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine’s claims.
Can We Get Kids Off Smartphones?
We know that social media is bad for young people, who need more time—and freedom—offline. But the collective will to fix this problem is hard to find.
Canoeing in a Superfund Site
Paddling in the Gowanus Canal, in Brooklyn, has inspired one recovering lawyer to write poetry about toxic sludge, floating condoms, and gentrification.
How Kate Middleton Shamed the Internet
After the Princess’s cancer diagnosis, some who had pushed conspiracy theories about her absence seemed chastened. Others were less contrite.
How Andy Kim Took on New Jersey’s Political Machine
In his bid for the Senate, the third-term congressman had to overcome a challenge from the state’s First Lady—and a Democratic Party system that favors the powers that be.
A Dutch Architect’s Vision of Cities That Float on Water
What if building on the water could be safer and sturdier than building on flood-prone land?
On the Trail
Reporting and analysis on the 2024 campaign for the White House.
Why the Biden Administration Is Suing Apple and Investigating Big Grocers
A new generation of trustbusters is trying to use anti-monopoly laws to roll back concentrations of economic power.
Is Donald Trump a Fascist?
In a new book, “Did it Happen Here?,” scholars debate what the F-word conceals and what it reveals.
The Face of Trump’s Media Strategy
The former President and his spokesman, Steven Cheung, like to hurl insults, but behind the scenes the campaign has maintained a cozy relationship with much of the mainstream press.
Why Robert Hur Called Joe Biden an “Elderly Man with a Poor Memory”
In his first interview after the release of his controversial report, the former special counsel insists that it was not his job to write for the public.
The Aftermath of China’s Comedy Crackdown
Standup flourished during the pandemic. Now performers fear the state—and audience members.
What Have Fourteen Years of Conservative Rule Done to Britain?
Living standards have fallen. The country is exhausted by constant drama. But the U.K. can’t move on from the Tories without facing up to the damage that has occurred.
The Critics
Percival Everett’s Philosophical Reply to “Huckleberry Finn”
In his new novel, “James,” Everett explores how an emblem of American slavery can write himself into being.
When New York Made Baseball and Baseball Made New York
The rise of the sport was centered in Gotham, where stadiums, heroic characters, and epic sportswriting once produced a pastime that bound a city together.
The Fury of “Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World”
Radu Jude’s TikTok-tinged movie can be breathtakingly funny, but the absurdity is rooted in a powerful sense of outrage.
The Best Bio-Pics Ever Made
The genre presents very particular artistic challenges, but here are thirty-three films that transcend them.
The Moral Plea Behind Kate Middleton’s Cancer Disclosure
After weeks of conspiracy theories and online calls for her private medical information, the Princess of Wales offered an appeal for basic public decency.
New York City Travel Posters Through the Decades
Images from a century past showcase colorful dreams of a magnetic metropolis.
What We’re Reading This Week
A novella about artistry and disenchantment; a biography of a feminist-porn pioneer; and an intensely specific chronicle of Adolf Hitler’s rise to power.
Ideas
What’s In a Revolution?
In history, the line between a moment of radical transformation and the incremental creep of continuity can be surprisingly blurry.
A Luxurious Approach to Postpartum Care
New mothers in Taiwan traditionally engage in zuo yue zi, a month of rest and pampering at home. Today, Taiwan’s postpartum hotels put moms and babies in the hands of professionals.
A Misguided Attempt to Control TikTok
The freedom to use social media is a First Amendment right, even if it’s one we should all avail ourselves of less often.
The Unkillable Appeal of Multilevel Marketing
The M.L.M. presents an ingenious—and very American—marriage of prosperity theology and conservative gender roles.
“The Script”
Noah Schamus and Brit Fryer’s short film offers a new vision of trans medical care.
Investigating a Catastrophic Plane Crash
On a clear evening in September of 1994, USAir flight 427 was minutes away from landing in Pittsburgh when the plane, a Boeing 737, suddenly took a nosedive and slammed to the ground. No one survived. Evidence from the wreckage was scant and garbled. In July of 1996, Jonathan Harr reported on the effort to untangle the mystery of what went wrong.
Puzzles & Games
Take a break and play.
In Case You Missed It
Uncle Usama’s wide palm came down across my face, the force of the blow nearly capsizing me. “Shut up, you bastard child,” he shouted. With squinting, teary eyes, I watched the two friends I was with flee the scene.Continue reading »
The Talk of the Town
Shouts & Murmurs
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