New Future

For Peter Thiel, JD Vance, and other figures on today’s far right, the works of J. R. R. Tolkien have become a cultural touchstone. Pity they don’t understand the first thing about them.

The media and education system have tried to erase their legacies, but some of the world’s greatest artists, leaders, and thinkers were—and are—firmly on the Left.

Ambassador Chas Freeman on U. S. failures to pursue mutually beneficial diplomatic resolutions in China, Ukraine, and the Middle East.

The former governor is a corrupt sexual harasser with a pro-corporate agenda and a proven track record of deadly negligence. He will do nothing to improve New Yorkers’ lives. Why on Earth is he a contender for mayor?

The killing of civilians is wrong. It fuels a cycle of hatred and trauma. It has no justification. So why don’t we apply that lesson consistently? Why are some mourned more than others?

When we feel politically helpless, we turn to 'subversive' entertainment. But winning within the realm of pop culture is a poor substitute for political power.

In her new book, the New Yorker’s Susan Morrison delves into the life and work of Lorne Michaels—one of the most influential, but least understood figures in American popular culture.

The Democratic Party is sclerotic. It’s easy to heap blame on Joe Biden now that he is weak and powerless. But that’s a convenient way of avoiding a major reckoning.

Companies like Apple and Microsoft don’t want you to repair your own tech, because they make a fortune from planned obsolescence. But learning to do it yourself brings empowerment.

MAGA millionaires RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz want to throw poor people off Medicaid. But healthcare is a human right.

"Defund the Police" came into the spotlight during the 2020 George Floyd uprisings. Despite what conservatives and pro-police propagandists say, "defund" never happened. But it should—because the police aren't here to keep you safe.

The “Bible of journalism” claims to be a neutral arbiter of style. But its rules are political, and their tepid liberalism only helps to maintain the status quo.

Many people may not think about small creatures like shrimp. But shrimp make up most of the animals that are alive on factory farms at a given moment, and their potential suffering needs to be taken seriously.

Apple TV+’s hit sci-fi series “Severance” has been praised as a radical indictment of the capitalist system. But its satire only scratches the surface.