Technology

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The Huawei Drama Is a Gift to U.S. Tech Companies

Faced with opponents along the political spectrum, tech needs a new way to emphasize its importance to the country, and the challenge of China could be that organizing narrative.

Alexis C. Madrigal

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A close-up of a man carrying an Uber-branded binder — Jeenah Moon / Reuters

Why Silicon Valley Loved Uber More Than Everyone Else

Uber was the most valuable private company in history, but the public market has not been as enthusiastic. The reason explains a lot about how the tech industry works.

Alexis C. Madrigal

Two yellow air fresheners hang from a car mirror — Shutterstock

Uber’s Drivers and Riders Are Locked in a Pine-Scented Battle

Many passengers can’t stand air fresheners. Drivers say they’re just trying to provide a pleasant ride.

Taylor Lorenz

Rows of colorful cosmetics bottles — Junki / Getty

There Is Too Much Stuff

The human brain can’t contend with the vastness of online shopping.

Amanda Mull

A New Lawsuit Could Transform How the Influencer Industry Is Regulated

The plaintiff’s lawyer says that “the time is now for content creators, gamers and streamers to stop being taken advantage of through oppressive, unfair and illegal agreements.”

Taylor Lorenz

Social Media Are Ruining Political Discourse

The endless flow of content doesn’t need to make sense to create engagement.

Jay David Bolter
The Problem With the SAT’s Idea of Objectivity

Faced with the messy realities of entrenched privilege, the College Board is trying to find a quantitative solution.

Sidney Fussell
The Groups Bringing Forum Culture to Facebook

Mark Zuckerberg’s vision for communities on his platform is very different from how users are gathering there organically.

Taylor Lorenz
Flying Cars Are Real—And They’re Not Bad for the Climate

They might even be greener than electric ones.

Robinson Meyer

How Tea Accounts Are Fueling Influencer Feuds

As James Charles and Tati Westbrook battle it out, drama channels are raking in subscribers.

Taylor Lorenz
President Trump Is Collecting Social-Media Grievances

The sitting president just released a new tool in his war of words with tech companies.

Alexis C. Madrigal
The Telltale Signs of a Fake Atlantic Article

A look-alike story was briefly publicized as part of a 2017 disinformation campaign.

Alexis C. Madrigal
The AI Supply Chain Runs on Ignorance

Tech companies often fail to tell users how their data will be employed. Sometimes, the firms can’t even anticipate it themselves.

Sidney Fussell

Hello Fellow Kids, It’s Me, the New Morning Edition Theme

NPR changed its flagship news show’s music last week, and gave away something indelible.

Robinson Meyer
The Future According to Uber

Every stock-market bet is a prediction, but Uber’s vision of the future is particularly far-reaching and risky.

Alexis C. Madrigal
Mark Zuckerberg’s Power Is Unprecedented

It’s not just the extent of his influence—it’s the nature of it.

Alexis C. Madrigal
Breaking Up Facebook Isn’t Enough

The Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes calls the company’s influence staggering and dangerous. But his solutions are incomplete and unsatisfying.

Ian Bogost

How I Tried to Defy the Facebook Algorithm

The social network is predictable and dreary. My quest to make it random and fun.

Joe Pinsker
‘Attention Is the Beginning of Devotion’

The late poet Mary Oliver warned against looking without noticing. In an age of distraction, her work is more urgent than ever.

Franklin Foer
Tech Is No Match for Human Grossness

Silver-infused linens may kill microbes, but there’s no way to avoid doing your laundry.

Amanda Mull
The Push to ‘Predict’ Police Shootings

Tracking officers’ stress exposure and body-camera practices could help keep them from pulling the trigger.

Sidney Fussell