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.

A Marketplace of Girl Influencers Managed by Moms and Stalked by Men

Seeking social media stardom for their underage daughters, mothers post images of them on Instagram. The accounts draw men sexually attracted to children, and they sometimes pay to see more.

The Misguided War on the SAT

Colleges have fled standardized tests, on the theory that they hurt diversity. That’s not what the research shows.