The Moral Fabric of Cities
The writer and politician Michael Ignatieff discusses the “moral operating systems” that bind urban communities.
Economy
Why Amazon Just Spent a Fortune to Turn Lord of the Rings Into TV
There is no “Moneyball” for media. In entertainment, overkill is underrated.
Are Humans Actually More 'Human' Than Robots?
Americans are skeptical of automation technologies taking over highly interactive tasks. But perhaps humanity is being hyped up too much—and that could create surprising challenges for job-retention efforts.
The Weird, Wooden Future of Skyscrapers
A change to the urban skyline that could make a big dent in carbon emissions.
The Very Bad Arguments for Killing the Estate Tax
It’s minuscule, cumbersome, and easily avoided. It's also a symbol of Washington’s approach to dynastic wealth and the American Dream.
America's Elite Colleges Need More Veterans
The military can be an important engine for social mobility, but it doesn’t always work that way.
The Republican Tax Bills Are About to Shrink
Both plans are over-budget and can’t pass the Senate on a party-line vote without major changes, analysts say.
Buses Have a Branding Problem
A new “trackless train” shows that commuters have a long way to go before embracing a perfectly good form of transit.
Why Businesses Misunderstand Old People
A counterfactual narrative of aging blinds marketers to the real desires of retirees.
Senate Republicans Go Their Own Way on Tax Reform
The GOP was supposed to be unified on taxes after internal divisions destroyed their health-care drive. But the party’s majorities in Congress now have two competing legislative proposals once again.