Culture
The Life and Times of Talking Heads The Life and Times of Talking Heads
How influential was the New Wave band?
The Fragmented Lives of Nate Lippens The Fragmented Lives of Nate Lippens
His bracing novels represent an honest reckoning with the post-AIDS era and its effect on life and imagination.
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.
The Damage Being Done to the Museums in the Nation’s Capital The Damage Being Done to the Museums in the Nation’s Capital
Our art critic visits the Smithsonian American Art Museum to get a closer look at the Trump administration’s attack on DC arts institutions.
Books
The Wild Lives of Cargo Ships The Wild Lives of Cargo Ships
A capacious new history examines the remaking of the the global economy through the story a single barge.
Katie Kitamura’s Divided Selves Katie Kitamura’s Divided Selves
Her fiction are studies of fragmentation and ambivalence.
The Invention of Close Reading The Invention of Close Reading
By transforming quotations into evidence, close reading served as way to turn postwar criticism into a specialized knowledge. But what if we treated it more as an art form?
Film
Seth Rogen’s Toothless Hollywood Satire Seth Rogen’s Toothless Hollywood Satire
The Studio is pitched as a send-up of the idiocy of the entertainment industry, but its potshots are harmless, even friendly.
The Death and Rebirth of New York City The Death and Rebirth of New York City
A new documentary about the 1975 fiscal crisis, Drop Dead City, is entertaining to watch but dangerously misleading as history—or politics.
J. Hoberman’s Lost New York J. Hoberman’s Lost New York
In Everything Is Now, the veteran film critic looks back at the downtown art scene of the 1960s.
Can Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza Remake the War Movie? Can Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza Remake the War Movie?
Warfare attempts to rewrite the rules of depicting violent conflict on screen, making for a close-up, visceral experience.
How Should Los Angeles Rebuild After the Fires? How Should Los Angeles Rebuild After the Fires?
In the aftermath of this year’s catastrophic fires, architects and urban planners begin to consider how to rebuild.
Television
Pete Hegseth Is Unleashing Chaos at the Pentagon Pete Hegseth Is Unleashing Chaos at the Pentagon
Trump’s defense secretary loves taking selfies while presiding over administrative anarchy.
Trump’s FCC Chief Brendan Carr Is Acting More Like a Mob Enforcer Than a Federal Regulator Trump’s FCC Chief Brendan Carr Is Acting More Like a Mob Enforcer Than a Federal Regulator
With a new GOP majority, the incoming FCC boss aims to punish criticism, reward obedience—and screw the public.
Alexandra Cooper of “Call Her Daddy” Calls It Harassment Alexandra Cooper of “Call Her Daddy” Calls It Harassment
A new Hulu-produced series by the podcast superstar documents years of sexual harassment and institutional cover-up within Boston University’s athletics department.
Architecture
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?
If Trump Could Make John Wayne the Head of Homeland Security, He Would If Trump Could Make John Wayne the Head of Homeland Security, He Would
Trump’s appeal stems from the way he combines restoration and revolution. His reactionary modernism may have beguiled Silicon Valley, but the rest of us should expect repression.
One Solution to the Housing Crisis Is in Plain Sight One Solution to the Housing Crisis Is in Plain Sight
The shortage can be addressed not through costly new development but by reusing existing buildings.
Music
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?
Brian Wilson’s Endless Summer Brian Wilson’s Endless Summer
His music, by turns joyous and melancholy, wide-eyed and masterful, transformed the meaning of pop.
You Can’t Understand Black Music Without Sly Stone You Can’t Understand Black Music Without Sly Stone
His songs, for generations of listeners, provided community, solace, and a sense of understanding.
Publishing
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.
We Can’t Afford to Let the Fourth Estate Topple We Can’t Afford to Let the Fourth Estate Topple
For all the deserved criticism of the American media, it remains one of the strongest pillars propping up what’s left of democracy in a time that’s been anything but good for the …
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