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America Misunderstands the Declaration of Independence Because of a Typo
A frequently printed error has caused widespread misreadings of the seminal text—and the interpretation of democracy.
Men Are Socialized to ‘Act Inhumanely’
A trans man offers a unique perspective on the internalization of masculinity.
The ‘Special Genius’ of Dogs
An expert on dog psychology reveals the unique features of canine intelligence.
The Philosophy of ‘Circular Design’
Eileen Fisher explains how her design philosophy promotes sustainability.
The Seismic Power of Women’s Rage
In the history of America, female anger is political fuel.
The ‘Nightmare’ of a Tweeting President
The Founding Fathers designed America to be impervious to demagogues, but social media has derailed the system.
Can Puerto Rico Rebuild Itself?
Governor Ricardo Rosselló describes how opportunity can be created for the island in the wake of Hurricane Maria.
‘America Has Always Been a Tribal Society’
Some of tribalism's worst impulses, such as demagoguery and scapegoating, are beginning to permeate American politics.
A Great Social Experiment of the 21st Century
There was no rulebook for Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper when his state voted to legalize marijuana.
How ‘LOL’ Changed the Way We Talk
The acronym has ushered in a new era of informal communication.
Why Social Media Shouldn’t Censor Hate Speech
The former president of the ACLU believes censorship—including on Facebook and other platforms—is ineffective.
‘I’m an Undocumented Citizen of This Country’
Jose Antonio Vargas explains why his lack of papers shouldn’t disqualify him from being regarded as an American.
‘It’s Not About Sex; It’s About Power’
Oregon State Senator Sara Gelser reflects on the cost of workplace harassment.
How Video Can Create a Just Society
Filming bystander footage can help protect human rights.
Comey Is ‘Really Concerned’ About Trump’s Attacks on the FBI
James Comey reveals why the president’s criticism of the country’s legal institutions is corrosive.
The Grandeur of Great Protest Music
Political art that outlasts its times needs more than just a powerful message.
Is Empathy the Essence of Soul Music?
The genre’s sound, sentiments, and politics all aim for the same connection.
James Comey Continues to Argue With Himself
In an interview with Katie Couric, the ousted FBI director excoriated Trump for undoing America’s norms—but let himself off the hook for slipping out of the FBI’s.
Could Quantum Computing Be the End of Free Will?
On the fear that too much processing power will make us cease to be human
Can Sacrificing Privacy Stomp Out Disinformation Online?
One way to ward off bad actors could be more information sharing between social-media platforms, researchers, and governments.
A Web Tool That Lets People Choose Their Own ‘Sources of Truth’
Two 21-year-olds believe they have a way to bring consumers of unreliable news closer to objectivity.
The Self-Defeating Ways Americans Talk About Feminism
#MeToo is much more than women fighting among themselves.
Reddit's Case for Anonymity on the Internet
The site’s head claims that the policy of not collecting personal information allows people to be “more true to themselves.”
Making Innovative Art Is a Form of Generosity
An experimental composer proposes a new way to think about tradition versus progress.
Should America’s Universities Stop Taking So Many International Students?
Critics say the country’s higher-education institutions should focus on ensuring more Americans get four-year degrees, but college presidents highlight the benefits of global diversity on campus.
Why Women’s Friendships Are So Complicated
Women place a premium on knowing the details of their loved ones’ lives, which can make their relationships as fraught as they are gratifying.
John Kerry’s Advice to Democrats
The former secretary of state wants less attention paid to President Trump and more focus on the 2018 midterms. How to win them? He was less specific about that.
Against Big Philanthropy
Philanthropy sounds nice, but it’s still a tax-sheltered way that plutocrats exercise power, says Stanford's Rob Reich.
Jordan Peterson Comes to Aspen
In a wide-ranging conversation moderated by Bari Weiss, the controversial psychology professor was pressed for answers by a group quite different than his usual audiences.
To Be a Good Citizen, First Pay Attention
Yes, voting; yes, speaking; yes, showing up; full participation in the American democracy of the moment, however, demands an even more basic activity.
The Fragile Future of Reform in Saudi Arabia
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is working to change many faces of his kingdom’s society, but some experts wonder whether he can keep a grip on power.
It’s (Mostly) Not FEMA’s Fault
The problems blamed on emergency managers are often caused by the shortcomings of other governmental bodies, both before and after disasters.
The Many Possible Meanings of the ‘Masculinity Crisis’
A lot of people contend that American men are in crisis. But which men? And what is the nature of that crisis?
The Age of Reverse Censorship
The First Amendment was drafted when speech was expensive and attention was abundant. Can it adapt to an era of too much speech and too little attention?
Charlottesville’s Divides Are America’s Divides
The city still has not healed from the events of last August.
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What High Heels Can Teach About Gendered ‘Truths’
A reminder that the quintessential piece of women’s footwear—a symbol of delicacy, of danger, of beauty—used to be worn by men
Five Features of Better Arguments
A former Clinton administration official studied how to facilitate more constructive arguments among Americans. These are his conclusions.
The Futility of Standing Athwart Language Yelling ‘Stop!’
John McWhorter expects linguistic norms to change even faster in coming years—and he argues that we can be less bothered by attendant demands than we are today.
Are Male and Female Brains Biologically Different?
The scientific debate around this question keeps raging, but one neuroscientist says we’re more alike than we think.
How Post-Millennial Voters Could Change America
The newest voters in the 2018 midterm elections are less cynical about politics and more progressive than the young adults who came before them.
Civic Tech in a Time of Technopessimism
Since 2016, the technology industry has been looking for answers. Code for America might have one.
James Madison Would Be Horrified by a Tweeting President
The head of the National Constitution Center speaks out on how social media has eroded the founding father's vision for democracy.
The Unpredictable Political Effects of 2020 Census Tinkering
Critics say the administration is targeting Hispanics ahead of the population tally—but Trump-backing red states could stand to suffer as much as blue ones.
Can Anyone Fill the U.S. Leadership Vacuum on Climate Change?
American withdrawal from the Paris agreement is a test for the future of the globe, but also for the international order.
How ‘Sesame Street’ Helps Traumatized Children
Resources are also geared toward migrant children at the U.S. border with Mexico.
The Normalization of Gun Violence in Poor Communities
A company that uses sensors to recognize the sound of gunshots could help solve the epidemic.
Want Health Care in Arkansas? Find a Job
A conversation with the head of the department of human services in the first state to force a group of people to work in exchange for medical care
An ‘Overprescription of Opioids’ That Led to a Crisis
The director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse pointed to economic factors as a cause of the epidemic.
What the Happiest Places Have in Common
Citizens’ wellbeing is often the result of careful planning—not serendipity.
How Will Trump Lead During the Next Global Pandemic?
“There is a real reason for us to be scared,” President Obama’s Ebola czar said.
The 3 Reasons the U.S. Health-Care System Is the Worst
The head of the Commonwealth Fund, which compares the health systems of developed nations, pinpoints why America’s is so expensive and inefficient.
Separating Kids From Their Families Can Permanently Damage Their Brains
A pediatrician explains how the trauma of family separation can change biology.
The Next Plague Is Coming. Is America Ready?
The epidemics of the early 21st century revealed a world unprepared, even as the risks continue to multiply. Much worse is coming.
Today’s Masculinity Is Stifling
As boys grow up, the process of becoming men encourages them to shed the sort of intimate connections and emotional intelligence that add meaning to life.
What Pluto and California Have in Common
Scientists have discovered an unexpected landscape on the dwarf planet.