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.
The Paradox of Music Discovery, the Spotify Way
A new book explores the company’s commitment to shaping what its users hear.
The Unfunny Man Who Believes in Humor
How Lorne Michaels became the arbiter of funny
What Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show Said
The rapper insists he’s a musician, not a messiah—a message reinforced by his Super Bowl performance.
Jethro’s Corner
A poem for Sunday
Bridget Jones Isn’t a Postfeminist Relic
How the beloved British diarist outlasted her critics
The Beating Heart of Twin Peaks
David Lynch’s work was often described as “mysterious” or “surreal”—but the emotions it provoked were just as fundamental.
10 Indie Films You Should Watch for in 2025
Conan O’Brien’s dramatic debut and a look back at To Catch a Predator rank among the standouts at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
The Man in the Midnight-Blue Six-Ply Italian-Milled Wool Suit
A perfect suit, made by an expert tailor out of superlative fabric, would do nothing less than transform me.
How the Economists Took Over the NBA
The financialization of sports has hit pro basketball, where business regulations now rule.
All the King’s Censors
When bureaucrats ruled over British theater