I Hate This, Don’t Quote Me
In one paragraph, Washington Post reporter Marc Fisher held the line against anonymous sources and “outright awfulness.”
Big Turmoil in Big Sky CountryAnne Helen Petersen returns to discuss her new posting—covering politics in Montana for BuzzFeed.
Do Radicals Change the World?Author Jeremy McCarter on the five people who changed the course of America in 1917.
Is Terrorism Coverage Racist?A few problems with the recent study suggesting white terrorists get less media play than Muslim terrorists.
Jon Ronson on Writing the Year’s Wildest MovieThe Welsh journalist on his new movie, the meat-is-murder fantasy adventure Okja.
He Ate Human Flesh for ScienceBill Schutt on his comprehensive new book, Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History.
Why Can’t Al Franken Make More Jokes at the GOP’s Expense?Read what the Gist asked the Minnesota senator about humor in Washington.
Larry Wilmore is Black on the AirThe comedian talks about his new podcast and why satire can’t change minds.
What We Get Wrong About Mass Incarceration, Part IHint: It’s not about the feds, it’s about local prosecutors.
O Great Confessor GoogleSeth Stephens-Davidowitz combs internet search data to uncover secrets that elude pollsters.
The Path of Most ResistanceNew Republic editor Jeet Heer on how the election of Donald Trump has remade the Democratic Party.
Donald Trump, Body SnatcherWhy is it so hard to talk about Trump without sounding like warmed-over commentary on CNN?
Ben Wittes Digs OutThe editor of Lawfare returns to wade through the past two weeks’ worth of ENSH (errant national security horses--t).
The Rise and Reign of Unruly WomenIn her new book, author Anne Helen Petersen on how our culture treats women defying norms.
The Musings of Wallace ShawnThe playwright and actor on the struggle of making a creative statement in the face of political chaos.
The Delicate Art of Political PersuasionRobb Willer on how to reframe debates in a way the “other side” will understand.
Autocrats Can’t Take a JokeComedian Bassem Youssef satirized two Egyptian presidents. They were not amused.
What We Get Wrong About Mass Incarceration, Part IICriminal justice quant John Pfaff says to bring down the prison population we must rein in prosecutors. Can that be done?
Why So Morose About Lactose?Our resident debunker, Maria Konnikova, on the truth and the fiction about nondairy milks.
You Can’t Say That, Mr. SenatorGuest host Zoe Chace talks to Al Franken about jokes you can’t say out loud in Washington.
The Colony and the Nation MSNBC host Chris Hayes on how the law-and-order policies of Richard Nixon have created a bifurcated America.
Everyone Looks Presidential on Air Force OneJosh King on why Donald Trump is looking kind of respectable during his first foreign trip.