The Kidnapping I Can’t Escape

Fifty years ago, my father’s friend was taken at gunpoint on Long Island. Then he went on with his life — and that’s the part that haunts me.

She Danced Naked at Woodstock. She Dated Serpico. At 93, She’s Not Done.

Betty Gordon came to New York to become an actress (and have a good time). But her greatest talent may have been helping others.

The Vexing Problem of the ‘Medium Friend’

They’re not our besties, but they’re more than just acquaintances. How much of ourselves do we owe them?

Is That Drink Worth It to You?

Alcohol is riskier than previously thought, but weighing the trade-offs of health risks can be deeply personal.

Champions of Degrowth Want to Shrink the Economy to Save the World.

Economic growth has been ecologically costly — and so a movement in favor of ‘degrowth’ is growing.

Sleepless in Seattle as a Hellcat Roars Through the Streets

The modified Dodge Charger roaming Seattle’s downtown by night has infuriated residents. But it seems no one can stop it.

The Comfortable Problem of Mid TV

It’s got a great cast. It looks cinematic. It’s, um … fine. And it’s everywhere.

5 Takeaways From an Investigation Into Hysterectomies in India’s Sugar Industry

Indebted workers, facing brutal working conditions, are pushed to get hysterectomies as a treatment for routine ailments. Sugar mills disclaim responsibility.

A Bronx Teacher Asked. Tommy Orange Answered.

When the author received an impassioned email, he dropped everything to visit the students who inspired it.

The Foreign Language That Changed My Teenage Son’s Life

I worried about his ability to fit in. But then he fell in love with Russian — and on a trip to Central Asia, he flourished.