What can we learn from the 1768 painting “An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump”?

Is a Chinese Implosion Looming?

Vivek Ramaswamy, Elizabeth Holmes, and Jesus

The Agentic Information Economy

NY Health Commissioner Says "Mother Nature" Is Punishing Amish Children With Measles Outbreak

We’re in the midst of an attention crisis. All is disruption and distraction. John Berger saw this crisis coming – and foresaw its consequences

Family Separation Drama Fjord Is a Haunting Depiction of Unchecked State Power

Open Thread

Historians have often created heroes, but few have themselves become one. Marc Bloch is the rare exception 

Howl at 70: “The last poem to hit the world with the impact of news and grip it with the tenacity of a pop song”

Ursula K. Le Guin on the Meaning of Life

Today in Supreme Court History: October 17, 1862

Open Thread

PS Events: Reinventing Europe

He Campaigned for the East Cleveland Mayor's Opponent. Then Police Came for His Truck.

All the President’s Hotties

RFK Jr. Wants More FDA Oversight of Food Ingredients. It Could End Up Costing $210 Million.

A Trump Appointee Says the President Likely Violated the First Amendment by Banishing Disfavored Journalists

How to Lose a Trade War

What Archaeology Reveals About the Rise of All-Powerful Rulers

Brendan Carr's Vendetta Against ABC Conflates the 'Public Interest' With Trump's Personal Grievances