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The Diminishing Returns of Having Good Taste

The article explores how the internet has diminished the value of cultural arbitrage, making once-valuable knowledge widely accessible and impacting cultural evolution.(Link to the article)

What Is It About Honeybees?Despite common beliefs, honeybees are not at risk of extinction. Misconceptions persist due to a history of exaggerated crises and the commercial use of bees for pollination. Efforts to "save" them often overlook actual endangered species and broader ecological issues. (Link to the article)

Why Did Cars Get So Expensive?

High car costs burden Americans: new and used prices up, financing hard due to high interest rates, service and insurance costs rising.(Link to the article)

The Rock Never Blinks

The Rock's versatile personas merge across wrestling, Hollywood, and business, setting the stage for a potential political career marked by adaptability and charisma.(Link to the article)

A Vision of Russia as a Country That Runs on Violence

"Andrey Platonov's 'Chevengur' delves into Russia's violence, shedding light on historical struggles amid ongoing conflicts like Ukraine's war and Putin's rule. (Link to the article)

The Barcode Engineered Its Own Downfall

The article discusses the evolution of the barcode, its significance in modern commerce, and the rise of QR codes as a potential replacement, marking a shift in retail technology and inventory management. (Link to the article)

Why Pope Francis’s Recent Decree Shook the Catholic Church

In a polarized Church, welcoming one group means alienating another. Pope Francis's decree allows priests to bless same-sex unions, affirming LGBTQ Catholics' place in the Church amid controversy and varying reactions. (Link to the article)

Challenging the Dominance of the English Language

"Extinction of Irena Rey," a novel, critiques English dominance, exploring translator dynamics with humor and depth, challenging linguistic hierarchies. (Link to the article)

A Counterintuitive Effect of Global Warming

Global warming could trigger an abrupt cooldown in Europe by disrupting ocean currents. The AMOC's slowdown poses risks, but collapse is uncertain. More research is needed to understand and avert potential consequences. (Link to the article)

Beijing Is Ruining TikTok

Bipartisan bill targets ByteDance's TikTok over national security risks amid U.S.-China tensions. Data privacy and Beijing's control concerns raised. Ban threatens innovation amid geopolitical rivalry. (Link to the article)

No One Has a Right to Protest in My Home

UC Berkeley Law Dean's private student dinner was disrupted by protesters, sparking debate over free speech and private property rights. (Link to the article)

Racehorses Have No Idea What’s Going On

The Rock's versatile personas merge across wrestling, Hollywood, and business, setting the stage for a potential political career marked by adaptability and charisma.(Link to the article)

It’s Time to Give Up on Ending Social Media’s Misinformation Problem

Social media struggles to combat misinformation but can limit harm by focusing on preventing the spread of harmful content. Trust in platforms is crucial. Removing harmful content is more effective than trying to block misinformation. (Link to the article)

The End of Foreign-Language Education

AI translation advances raise questions about language learning. As tech improves, fewer study languages, risking cultural loss. Automated translations lack nuances, impacting communication and cultural exchange.  (Link to the article)

The Secret of Plant ‘Sight’

Plants use air channels between cells to scatter light, creating gradients and 'seeing' without eyes. This solves long-standing mystery of phototropism.(Link to the article)


Americans Really Don’t Like Trump’s Health-Care Plans

Biden excels on healthcare; Trump's plan faces backlash. Democrats uphold ACA, while GOP aims for drastic cuts. Stark partisan divide evident. (Link to the article)

Drones Could Unite Ranchers and Conservationists

Drones defend ranches from predator attacks, aiding in conflict reduction, but face challenges like cost and regulations. (Link to the article)

The Meditation Start-Up That’s Selling Bliss on Demand

Tech start-up aims to deliver ancient Buddhist bliss states with AI and EEG, but faces scientific and ethical hurdles. (Link to the article)

A Bizarrely Online Word of the Year

For the second consecutive time, the Oxford English Dictionary crowned an internet-slang term its word of the year. This year’s choice—rizz. Rizz means style, charm, or attractiveness. (Link to the article)

A Different Vision for Earth’s Demise

As the sun expands, inner planets may be engulfed, but Earth's survival is possible. Insights from nearby systems offer valuable lessons. (Link to the article)

There’s Just One Problem With Gun Buybacks

Gun buybacks fail to curb gun violence as they mainly collect old or non-functional firearms, leaving the most dangerous weapons in circulation. (Link to the article)

What If We Held ChatGPT to the Same Standard as Claudine Gay?

Generative AI, like ChatGPT, faces criticism for plagiarism akin to that faced by Harvard's ex-president. Plagiarism, not copyright, is the real issue. Should AI models be held to the same standard as humans? (Link to the article)

Nine Books to Read if Your Body Is Changing

The article discusses how aging affects the body, including changes in muscle, bone, and skin, and emphasizes the impact of lifestyle choices on these processes.

Helen of Troy Meets Her First Husband  

A poetic depiction of winter, likening falling, decaying tree limbs to the moment of first laying eyes on someone, marking the start of a relationship. (Link to the article)

Why Black Jesus Made My Grandmother Uncomfortable

US faces constitutional crisis. Electoral College, Senate flaws threaten democracy. Reform vital for fairness. History shows change possible with persistence. (Link to the article)

The Little-Known Rule Change That Made the Supreme Court So Powerful  

Fishermen's Supreme Court case questions administrative law. Court's selective approach raises concerns about its role in policy-making. (Link to the article)

Is American Journalism Headed Toward an ‘Extinction-Level Event’?

Legacy news media faces decline despite a buoyant economy. The LA Times owner's promises falter as layoffs plague major outlets, including the Washington Post and CNN. (Link to the article)

Civilization Owes Its Existence to the Moon

Stone Age moon pits tracked lunar cycles, aiding survival and timekeeping. Moon worship shaped early civilizations, influencing religion, politics, and science. (Link to the article)

How One Tiny Insect Upended an Ecosystem

Big-headed ants in Kenya disrupt native ant colonies, affecting tree defenses. This alters the food chain, complicating lion hunts and impacting herbivores, leading to profound ecosystem changes. (Link to the article)

Something Went Terribly Wrong With Online Ads

Online ads are everywhere, from smart TVs to dating apps, fueled by personal data. Tech giants profit, users endure ad fatigue. No escape from the digital onslaught. (Link to the article)

What We Discovered on ‘Deep YouTube’?

YouTube: more than a platform, it's vital infrastructure. With 13B videos, transparency is lacking. Treating it as infrastructure could improve accountability. (Link to the article)

Texas Pulls an Ugly Stunt on the Border

Texas clashes with feds over border, chaos ensues. Abbott's aggressive tactics highlight federal inaction on immigration. Intervention may be needed. (Link to the article)

Are White Women Better Now?

A seminar called "The Toxic Trends of Whiteness" used direct confrontations to address and educate on deep racial issues, sparking intense discussions and emotions. (Link to the article)

Prestige TV’s New Wave of Difficult Men

Tom Ripley, a narcissist, navigates life using murder and self-belief. Netflix's series explores his dark journey and alienation in black and white. (Link to the article)

I Will Not Thumbs-Up Your Email

Emoji reactions, tapbacks, and thumbs-ups intended for convenience have turned into obligatory chores, even infiltrating email, exacerbating digital noise and slowing communication. (Link to the article)

They Ate at My Table, Then Ignored My People

Palestinian food writer hoped cuisine would build empathy, but many ignored plight amid conflict. Culinary diplomacy failed, yet hosting remains a symbol of resilience. (Link to the article)

When Your Every Decision Feels Torturous

Facing overwhelming parenting advice, a father obsessed with the climate crisis grapples with the moral implications of raising children in a deteriorating world, leading to drastic decisions in Mukherjee's novel "Choice". (Link to the article)

The Inflation Plateau

Inflation remains above targets in America, posing a challenge despite falling from 2022's high. It's debated whether this is due to wage growth or statistical delays affecting Federal Reserve actions. (Link to the article)

Life Really Is Better Without the Internet

A couple ditches internet for family time but faces challenges. They rediscover joys of offline life despite inconveniences. Others seek to limit tech's intrusion, finding freedom in disconnecting. (Link to the article)

Why Britain Can’t Quit the Monarchy

Britain's monarchy persists despite modernity. Pragmatic flexibility, symbolic role, and neutrality explain its endurance in an age of political tumult. (Link to the article)

Forget the Bomb and Help Iranians Fight Their Regime

The article advocates for a shift in US policy towards Iran, emphasizing human rights and democracy over nuclear concerns. It proposes support for aiding Iranian dissidents. (Link to the article)

What Comes After Workism?

Hwang Bo-reum's novel delves into post-workism, prioritizing daily joys amidst burnout in 'Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop'. (Link to the article)

‘We Do Not Want to Deal With Customers Like You!’ Customer's harsh review sparks fiery responses from Dragon Lee restaurant. Refutes complaints with disdain, prioritizes loyal patrons over critics. AD by Ben Kothe (Link to the article)

American Universities Are Post-truth

Conservative distrust in higher education rises. Confidence falls across ideologies. Concerns over research integrity and bias. Harvard plagiarism scandal sparks debate. Need for academic honesty emphasized. (Link to the article)

How to Actually Guarantee the Right to Vote

Americans lack constitutional right to vote; states control; courts fail in protection. Need an amendment affirming voting rights. Time for change. (Link to the article)

Whatever Happened to Zika?
Zika threat persists despite waning attention. Lack of vaccine and testing fuel concerns. Lessons from COVID underscore need for sustained preparedness. Vigilance crucial, especially for pregnant women. (Link to the article)

Prepare for a ‘Gray Swan’ Climate

Climate science foresees "gray swan" events: unpredictable yet foreseeable extremes. Nonlinear changes accelerate climate shifts, intensifying droughts, wildfires, and disasters. Systemic change is crucial to mitigate impacts. (Link to the article)

Freedom for the Wolves

Stiglitz criticizes neoliberalism, arguing it harms equity and democracy. It's time to redefine freedom beyond market ideology. (Link to the article)

Final Words

"Final Words" captures last statements of Texas death row inmates, revealing humanity, faith, guilt, and critiques of the flawed justice system. (Link to the article)

Maybe Don’t Send That Voice Note

Voice notes are popular but risk selfishness in communication. They offer intimacy but may lack efficiency. Graceful use involves choosing appropriate times and subjects, balancing efficiency with human connection. (Link to the article)

Abolish DEI Statements
DEI statements in academia, aiming for diversity, coerce ideological conformity. Reform isn't enough; abolition is better. Universities thrive on diverse perspectives, not ideological coercion. (Link to the article)

Solving a Century-Old Byline Mystery

"Atlanticus" remains unidentified; possibly Alexander Gordon McLellan, who wrote under various aliases like Charles Terry Delaney. (Link to the article)

The Myth of the Mobile Millionaire
Despite warnings, millionaire taxes in states like California haven't caused wealthy flight and actually increased revenue, debunking myths of tax evasion. (Link to the article)

Is India an Autocracy?

Indian democracy faces erosion under Modi's rule, with laws suppressing dissent and a history of undermining democratic norms, risking a shift toward autocracy. (Link to the article)

Generative AI Is Challenging a 234-Year-Old Law

The technology might finally bend copyright past the breaking point, upending what it means to have a creative society in the process. (Link to the article)

A Sex Scandal. A Conservative Power Network. And Moms for Liberty

Bridget Ziegler, linked to Leadership Institute & Moms for Liberty, spotlights GOP power dynamics amidst Florida sex scandal. (Link to the article)

A Wild and Dangerous 2024 Experiment

No Labels disrupts 2024 election with unity ticket, aiming to offer alternative to dissatisfied voters. Critics raise concerns about impacts on democracy. (Link to the article)

The Myth of the Unemployed College Grad

A bachelor’s degree continues to be a great investment.
Why do the media keep suggesting otherwise? (Link to the article)

Amending the Constitution Is Impossible Until Suddenly It’s Not

US faces constitutional crisis. Electoral College, Senate flaws threaten democracy. Reform vital for fairness. History shows change possible with persistence. (Link to the article)

AI’s Spicy-Mayo Problem

The spicy mayo inquiry highlights the debate over AI safety vs. creativity: striking a balance is crucial for responsible innovation. AD by Ben Kothe (Link to the article)

Is This How Amazon Ends?

Amazon's essence shifts as global sellers flood its platform, challenging its American identity. The rise of competitors like Shein and Temu signals a potential shift away from Amazon's dominance in the online marketplace. (Link to the article)

Why We Must Resist AI’s Soft Mind Control

Google's AI, Gemini, subtly shapes thought. It hesitates on controversial topics, reflecting societal norms. AI's power warrants caution; democracy relies on human autonomy and critical thinking. (Link to the article)

America’s Most Dystopian Halftime Show

College football turns student debt into a game show. In Texas, two students met on the field for a competition that would have, in its way, higher stakes than the game itself. It was time for the Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway. (Link to the article)

I’m Disabled. Please Help Me

Nearly blind, the author struggles on Manhattan streets, relying on strangers. Reflecting on dependency, he urges societal inclusivity. (Link to the article)

Did Apple Just Make a Gambling App?

Apple's new Sports app may signal a move into betting. Offers fast updates but lacks sports content. Could pave the way for actual betting integration. (Link to the article)

A Baffling Academic Feud Over Income Inequality

Economists clash over measuring income inequality. Two camps, two methods, one big debate. Does inequality truly reflect reality? (Link to the article)

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Illustrations for The Atlantic

These conceptual illustrations, crafted for The Atlantic, vary in technique from collages with stock images to animations and 3D renderings. Typically, they're completed within one to two hours, depending on complexity.

Credits

Client: The Atlantic
Illustrations: Matteo Giuseppe Pani

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