The Rise of CliffsNotes Cinema
Oversimplified literary remakes miss the point of the works they are adapting.
Culture
Why Justin Bieber Played YouTube Onstage for Thousands of People
The pop star transformed the normal act of browsing your laptop into something interesting—and unsettling.
The New Age of Performance Anxiety
With the rise of screen culture, all the world has stage fright.
Where Did ‘Let Them’ Come From?
Years before Mel Robbins published her best-selling self-help book, a struggling writer posted a poem with a similar message.
Dear James: I Hate Playing With My Children
And I’m riddled with mom guilt.
The Novel I’m Searching For
Five years after the pandemic, I’m holding out for a story that doesn’t just describe our experience, but transforms it.
Lady Gaga Sounds Like Herself Again
The artist’s latest album is an ode to her early career—and a powerful demonstration of growth.
Turtleboy Will Not Be Stopped
A profane blogger believes an innocent woman is being framed for murder. He’ll do anything to prove he’s right—and terrorize anyone who says he’s wrong.
The World Can’t Keep Up With Its Garbage
Trash dumping is taking a devastating environmental toll—especially on poorer countries.
Finally, SNL Gets a Little Weird
Lady Gaga’s talent for the absurd worked well for the show.
The Great Salt Shake-Up
Why has kosher salt replaced table salt in American pantries?
Mickey 17 Is Sad, Strange, and So Much Fun
Bong Joon Ho’s first film after Parasite is another satire, this time with a delirious sci-fi veneer.
Severance Cannot Save You
The show seems to be delivering an uncomfortable verdict on one of its biggest questions.